Hello, cold front.
Anna Maria Island anglers, brace yourselves as winter has arrived, and, with the cold, we usher in some new species to target, as well as changes in technique and locations to fish.
With temperatures in the mid-50s to upper 60s for the next several days, you can bet on water temperatures to drop.
Alas, the days of catching snook and redfish on the flats will be over until springtime in March.
It’s time to transition from baiting live shiners to shrimp. With this change, comes a change in the species we target. Sheepshead comes to mind as winter settles in, as the fish flourish in cooler water temps. The same applies for black drum, pompano and whiting. These species feed heavily on shrimp throughout the winter.
The use of artificials — such as soft plastics on a jig head — also comes into play as spotted seatrout tend to feed on baits near the bottom and in close proximity to preserve energy. They tend to remain dormant during the cooler months.
As for redfish, they tolerate cooler water temps just fine, although typically won’t be found on the flats. Areas of structure such as docks and canals appeal to wintertime redfish, as they slow down their hunting routine and lay and wait for a meal to pass in front of their noses. Live shrimp and crabs are a delicacy for the reds and will prove beneficial as bait.
Lastly, we should start seeing more frequency in the flounder bite, although with the recent red tide and water quality issues, the flounder populations in our area seem to have suffered.
When targeting flounder, try fishing sandy areas where structure exists. The Berkeley Gulp shrimp on a jig head is irresistible for the flat fish, so if you have a hankering for a flounder dinner, try the artificial baits.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m spending most of my time jigging the flats with DOA Cal jigs. Spotted seatrout and pompano are being caught with this method, as well as a host of other species, including bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Using shrimp as bait over the artificial reefs is producing action on snapper and sheepshead, as well as the usual suspects — grunts and juvenile grouper.
Capt. David White reports he’s working offshore for a variety of species. Staying within 20 miles of shore and fishing wrecks, reefs and hard-bottom areas is yielding numerous gag grouper. Live pinfish for bait is working well, although if red tide patches are present while en route to the offshore spots — which will knock out your live bait — White says frozen sardines will produce action.
Kingfish also are present offshore, with most being caught while trolling lipped plugs at high speeds.
Moving inshore, live shiners as bait are still producing action. Snook and redfish are responding to live shiner offerings.
Finally, jigging the flats along the beaches produces pompano for White’s anglers. Tipping the jigs with shrimp is advantageous for some other species — sheepshead, black drum and whiting.
Capt. Jason Stock is enjoying the offshore gag grouper bite in the Gulf of Mexico. Using pinfish as bait around reefs and hard-bottom areas is working best and yielding gags up to 15 pounds, with bigger fish mixed in.
While bottom fishing for gags, Stock is encountering red grouper and mangrove snapper. Fishing baits toward the surface is yielding action. Kingfish and amberjack are the targeted species for this technique and Stock he’s incredibly impressed with the size of the amberjack catches.
Capt. Warren Girle is spending his days working the flats of Sarasota Bay. Artificials — soft plastics on a jighead or pompano jigs tipped with shrimp — are accounting for a majority of Girle’s charter fishing action. Spotted seatrout are the primary catch, with numerous other species mixed in. Bluefish, jack crevalle, lady fish and pompano are good examples of his angler’s bycatch. All of these species are accommodating and thrilling on light spinning gear.
The use of live shiners as bait is leading action for Girle. Snook and redfish are being caught on shallow flats during the warmer days between cold fronts.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.