Inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island is improving as we settle into the fall bite. Thanks to lower overnight temperatures, water temps have dropped to the low 80s, triggering the inshore species to begin feeding more consistently.
Schooling catch-and-release redfish are being found throughout Sarasota Bay and north into to Tampa Bay, and most of the schools contain fish measuring 25-35 inches. Some schools are large, with more than 100 fish; others are not as concentrated but still good for action. Also, finding random fish throughout the flats is more frequent.
Catch-and-release snook also are being caught frequently. Shallow flats where mangrove shorelines, oysters and good tidal flow exist are holding impressive numbers of linesiders. Most are measuring 20-26 inches, although lucky anglers are hooking some bigger fish.
Catch-and-release spotted seatrout are being found in good numbers in the deep grass areas. Most catches are 15-19 inches but all must be released until word comes from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that harvesting trout is legal again.
While fishing the deeper grass areas, you can count on catching a variety of other species, including Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and jack crevalle. As a bonus, you may hook into a fish fry with the mangrove snapper bite. Most snapper on the flats are 10-12 inches, which may seem small but if you can muster up 10-12 of these little guys, you have enough for a tasty dinner.
Fishing deeper areas of Tampa Bay also is resulting in mangrove snapper. Look for structure such as rock piles, reefs or wrecks. You may find a more consistent snapper bite in these areas and there’s some hungry Spanish mackerel in the mix, a good addition to the cooler. And, don’t forget to have a heavy rod handy, as it’s possible you will encounter some keeper-size gag grouper in these areas.
On my own adventures with my newly branded Just Reel Fishing Charters, I’m enjoying fishing the fall bite on the flats of Tampa Bay. Sportfishing for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout is quite good as the trio fattens up for winter. Targeting snook and reds on shallow grass flats during outgoing tides is resulting in nonstop catch-and-release action for my clients. The same applies for the spotted seatrout. Casting live shiners over deep grass flats is resulting in immediate hookups from the hungry trout.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says catch-and-release fishing for snook and redfish is going well. Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are finding both species cooperative. Most reds are measuring 24-30 inches and the snook size are measuring 20-30 inches.
Meanwhile, using live shrimp as bait is attracting the attention of some black drum and mangrove snapper, both good for dinner, and both species are being caught between redfish and snook hookups. Near limits of snapper are being caught, which is enabling pier anglers to fill their coolers. The black drum are following suit, with most catches falling in the slot of 14-24 inches.
Lastly, Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle are being caught on artificials, such as spoons and small jigs.
Capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria Charters is catching plenty of mangrove snapper while fishing over structure in Tampa Bay. Reefs, wrecks and rock piles are yielding the best results. Also in these areas are some keeper-size gag grouper, which are always a welcome site when reeled up to the surface.
Switching over to fishing the flats is yielding action for Mattay. Sportfishing for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout is keeping Mattay’s clients busy. They’re tapping into the schooling reds on shallow flats, where most are measuring 25-35 inches.
As for the snook, schooley-size fish — ranging 20-26 inches — are the most frequent, and the norm for trout is 15-20 inches.
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