Fishers around Anna Maria Island are anticipating the apex of a prime fall bite.
Water temperatures are coming down, leading many fish species to begin migrating to their favored feeding grounds to forage before the winter chill.
On the grass flats of Tampa Bay southward to Sarasota Bay, snook, redfish and spotted seatrout are being found in abundance. All three species are patrolling the grass to find as much as possible to eat.
This scenario is most convenient for anglers — a lot of hungry fish makes for easy pickings. You should be in store for some good action.
Casting live bait — pinfish and shiners — works well, as do artificials — top-water plugs and soft plastics. Nearly anything you cast will attract attention.
And with the abundance of bait in Tampa Bay, you can bet the migratory species — jack crevalle, ladyfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel — are making a showing.
Fishing structure where bait is present can result in numerous catches of migratory fish and live bait on a long shank hook will work well. Artificials, such as silver spoons and small jigs, also can get the job done.
While you’re fishing around structure, don’t hesitate to drop live bait to the bottom. Mangrove snapper and gag grouper lurk in those depths, awaiting bait fish to venture their way. Limits of mangroves and gags are attainable if you’re in the right spot.
On my Just Reel fishing charters, I spend mornings fishing the flats for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. The snook and trout are quite accommodating for my clients. Free-lining live shiners results in numerous catches of both.
As for the redfish, the bite is not as consistent but we see four to five slot or over-slot reds per trip. And there are mangrove snappers mixed in on the flats bite, a bonus addition to the cooler.
Capt. David White reports he’s mostly working inshore throughout the waters of Tampa Bay, where snook fishing along the mangrove-lined shoreline is providing excellent action when baiting the hook with live shiners.
Most catches are under slot-size but the numbers being caught make up for the lack of a keeper.
Targeting redfish also is going well for White. Schooling reds in the range of 30-40 inches are frequently taking the bait for White’s anglers.
And for anglers hoping to bring home dinner, White is putting them on mangrove snapper and macks, as both are being cooperative around wrecks and reefs in Tampa Bay.
Capt. Jason Stock is targeting American red snapper on his offshore charters. Limits of the aggressive snapper are being caught while using live baits — pinfish and large shiners.
While bottom fishing, scamp up to 30 inches are being caught. Fishing baits on the surface, as opposed to down deep, is resulting in catches of mahi mahi, as well as blackfin tuna, according to Stock.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says fishing is pretty darn good despite light concentrations of red tide around the island’s northernmost pier.
Targeting snook with live baits, such as pinfish or large shrimp, is bringing good results. Many snook — although just under the minimum length of 28 inches — are being caught by lucky anglers.
Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait also are finding a good bite, especially on redfish and black drum. Casting live shrimp under the pier deck works well for these species.
Lastly, live shrimp as bait at the pier is attracting mangrove snapper. Most catches are 10-12 inches, with some bigger ones mixed in.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.