Those fishing around Anna Maria Island are experiencing the peak of sheepshead season.
The celebrated time of year is occurring as sheepies are being caught around most any structure — residential docks, fishing piers, seawalls, rock piles, wrecks and reefs.
We’re just prior to the spawn and these fish are feeding heavily on all sorts of crustaceans. Barnacles, crabs, shrimp and even coquinas are not safe while the hungry fish gorge in preparation for the spawn. The popularity of the sheepshead bite is attained by the fact that the fish are accessible to most anglers.
Since you can catch them from piers, bridges and along beaches, most anyone can get in on the action.
And, as far as bait is concerned, it can be as easy as stopping by a local shop and purchasing live shrimp. Those who want to employ some strategy may harvest fiddler crabs or sand fleas. And, at times, like when the sheepies get finicky, those baits will give an added advantage.
For anglers fishing from a boat, local reefs, wrecks and rock piles are favorite spots to target the zebra-striped fish. And live shrimp as bait works fine for these areas.
If you’re itching to go out and wet your line, now is a great time to do so — sheepshead are putting up a great fight on medium-spinning tackle and are a favorite on the dinner plate.
Just remember, sheepshead must be 12 inches total length and each angler is allowed a daily bag limit of eight fish.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m finding many large sheepies throughout Tampa Bay and in the Gulf of Mexico. Most catches are 2 pounds, although 6-7-pound fish are being reeled up.
While targeting the sheepies, I’m seeing a mix of mangrove snapper, hogfish and Key West grunts.
Capt. Warren Girle is working structure in the Gulf of Mexico. In depths of 25-45 feet, Girle is finding action on sheepshead, mangrove snapper and Key West grunts. Live shrimp on a knocker rig is working to achieve a bite. In deeper areas, where limestone ledges are present, Girle’s clients are hooking into hogfish.
Capt. David White is finding a good bite while working the offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing waters less than 120 feet deep is yielding keeper red grouper. To catch the grouper, White is baiting with frozen sardines and live pinfish combined with a bottom rig. In waters of 60-80 feet, he’s putting clients on good action, with limits of mangrove snapper, which are taking frozen sardines and live shrimp.
Moving inshore, live shrimp is the bait of choice. Fishing the artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and in Tampa Bay is yielding numerous sheepshead. Sheepies also are being caught close to the beaches on sandy bottom, where renourishments have not occurred. Black drum also are mixed in on the bite, as well as pompano.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing the beginning of the sheepshead bite at Anna Maria Island’s northernmost pier. Schools of sheepies are taking up residence under the R&R to nibble on the barnacle-encrusted pilings. Pier fishers baiting with live shrimp are hooking into sheepies weighing 1-3 pounds.
Malfese reports that in the days to come the numbers of fish will increase.
Other catches at the pier include black drum and whiting. And, with warmer water temps, Malfese is seeing snook returning to the pier — just in time for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to open the species to catch and keep.
Move over sheepies, here come the snook
Snook reopened to recreational harvest March 1 in some Gulf waters, including Escambia County to the north through State Road 64/Manatee Avenue at the Anna Maria Island Bridge in Manatee County. Snook remains catch-and-release only in state waters from State Road 64 in Manatee County south through Gordon Pass in Collier County through Aug. 31.
Send photos and reports to fish@islander.org.