March is upon us and you can bet most inshore anglers around Anna Maria Island have one thing on their minds — the opening of snook season.
With water temps in the low to mid-70s, the snook are hungry and on the prowl.
March 1 marked the opening day for the harvest of the popular inshore game fish in west central Florida. Whether in a boat, wading the flats or fishing the bridges, piers and passes, snook fanatics are out in hordes.
There will be some snook that fall prey to the irresistible temptation to take a bait, even if there’s a hook in it.
As the season progresses, the snook will get wise and it’ll be harder to catch fish 28-31 inches. Among fish species, snook seems to rate fairly high on the intelligence scale. They sense when things aren’t right and come down with a case of lockjaw. And when this happens, the angler knows it’s time to quit for the day — or at least until the tide changes.
When snook are biting, a host of offerings — live and artificial — will work as bait. Live baits such as pinfish, shrimp and shiners are delectable to a hungry snook. Artificials such as topwater plugs, lipped plugs and jigs also work if the conditions are right. For those who like punishment, snook will take a fly.
Lastly, make sure to become familiar with regulations when targeting snook. A legal snook for harvest must measure at least 28 inches and not more than 33 inches. There may not be a game warden in sight but if a local sees you poaching a snook, they will educate you on your mistake.
Season is open through April 30 and again Sept. 1-Nov. 31.
Happy snook fishing.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing the most action occurring on deep grass flats. Free-lining shiners over the areas is resulting in many spotted seatrout and Spanish mackerel. Bluefish and ladyfish are in the mix, which keeps the rods bent for quite a while. On shallower flats, snook are beginning to cooperate as the water temps rise.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s seeing numerous sheepshead being caught. Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are frequently hooking into sheepshead — with some measuring up to 15 inches.
Live shrimp as bait are attracting redfish and black drum.
In the evening hours at the pier, snook are venturing out near the pier edges to feed. Anglers using live pinfish or live shiners as bait are getting results.
Capt. David White says the springtime bite is kicking off nicely offshore. African pompano are the highlight. The large predatory fish are being caught on live baits, such as pinfish or large shiners. Depths around 120 feet are proving to be advantageous when targeting these fish. Also at these depths, red grouper are making a showing, as well as yellowtail snapper.
Moving inshore, White says snook and trout are dominating the bite and live shiners as bait are the ticket. On deeper flats, White is finding mackerel.
Capt. Warren Girle says fishing nearshore structure is providing a consistent bite. Using live shrimp as bait is leading to a variety of species. Hogfish are being caught in between action on porgies, Key West grunts and mangrove snapper. Girle notes that quite a few triggerfish are being reeled up, too.
Moving into the waters of Sarasota Bay, Girle is targeting redfish. Hunting fish around structure such as docks or oyster bars is providing the most action.
Lastly, Girle says, snook and trout are being caught on the grass flats.
On March 3, Capt. Scott Moore reported dead fish — snook, redfish and some grouper — floating in Sarasota Bay, the victims of red tide carried in with the high winds. He was hoping the wind would turn out of the north overnight to clear the bay of toxins before the situation worsened.
Moore was worried the red tide would be carried into the canals, where some of the bigger fish are hiding.
Capt. Jason Stock is targeting permit around offshore reefs and wrecks. Permit in the 20-pound range are responding nicely to live crab offerings. Moving farther into the Gulf is producing action. African pompano 30-40 pounds also are being caught by Stock’s clients. Live baits or vertical jigging are working to attract these fierce predators. Large amberjack are being caught in the same areas as the APs. Trolling while offshore is working out for Stock’s anglers who are searching for blackfin tuna.
Lastly, according to Stock, yellowtail snapper are being caught while bottom fishing.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.