Anna Maria Island anglers are wind-blown and sun-beaten from soaking up the April bite before the inferno of heat and humidity that comes with summer.
On the Gulf side of the island, kingfish and cobia are making their presence known as they patrol tightly packed bait schools hovering over the local reefs and wrecks.
Other fish, such as Spanish mackerel and bonito, are cashing in on the unsuspecting baits schools, causing eruptions on the water visible from far distances.
Flocks of birds — terns, seagulls, pelicans and frigates — are a dead giveaway that there’s activity below them as they dive from great heights to catch a baitfish that has escaped the jaws of predators below the surface.
On the bayside, backcountry anglers are finding thrills, although the action is subtle in comparison to the maylay in the Gulf.
Quietly pushing the boat up near the mangrove shorelines and skipping free-lined live shiners skillfully under the branches is yielding rewarding action on snook and redfish.
With water temps in the mid-to-low 70s, the fish are active and eager to eat an unsuspecting shiner navigating through the mangrove roots. And, on the deeper grass flats, hungry spotted seatrout are lying among the lush turtle grass for an ambush on their next meal.
As April is a spawning month for trout, you can bet on encountering some of the largest trout of the year. While targeting the large trout, you have a chance of encountering many other species foraging throughout the bay and inland waters.
Toothy critters — macks, bluefish and jack crevalle — are some of the most popular, traveling in small packs wreaking havoc on the peaceful shallows. You’ll find some ladyfish mixed in, which may have little food value but when hooked on light tackle, they’re a most pleasing fish to tangle with as they imitate jumping and head-shaking all the way to the boat.
Lastly, amid all the action, don’t forget to pause and soak in the warm sun and cool, dry breezes. We don’t have many of these days left before summertime. The fishing should remain good but the heat will make it less comfortable than the mild temperatures of April.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing plenty of large trout being reeled to the boat. Many fish in the 20-inch range are being caught with some up to 24 inches. Slot-fish measuring 15-19 inches are fairly abundant, giving my anglers the opportunity to take a few home for dinner.
After pulling on trout for a while, I’m migrating to the shallower flats, where snook and redfish can be found. And both are being found when freelined live shiners are cast perfectly under the mangroves at the shoreline. In some areas, the snook are lurking on open flats, which require less accuracy in casting, and these fish are great for less experienced anglers.
Finally, a mixed bag of other species, including jack crevalle, mackerel and ladyfish are rounding out the bite.
Capt. David White says fishing nearshore in the Gulf of Mexico is yielding good action on migratory species — mackerel and kingfish. Locating wrecks and reefs is crucial to finding the fish. When bait schools are present, the chances of hooking up increases.
On the flats of Tampa Bay, White is putting his anglers on snook and redfish. He’s also finding that casting to the mangrove shorelines is working best.
On deeper grass flats, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish are abundant, as well as plenty of trout.
Capt. Jason Stock is working offshore to put clients on the migratory and reef species. Blackfin tuna and amberjack are being found around reefs and wrecks and free-lining live baits or trolling artificials works well.
As for the reef species, mangrove and yellowtail snapper are cooperating when chummed up.
Slightly closer to shore, Stock is finding kingfish and cobia ranging 20-40 pounds to entertain clients.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing the flats of Sarasota Bay, which is resulting in good action on spotted seatrout. Free-lining baits over deeper grass flats is yielding plenty of trout, as well as some jack crevalle, bluefish and mackerel.
On shallower flats, Girle is putting his anglers on snook and redfish, especially on oyster bars and mangroves are present and the bite is best.
On calmer days, Girle is venturing into the Gulf of Mexico where he’s hooking up his anglers with macks, kingfish and blacktip sharks.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s seeing mangrove snapper reeled up by anglers using live shrimp as bait. Casting bait on a weighted rig under the pier is yielding keeper-sized snapper up to 14 inches. An occasional snook is showing interest in the live shrimp, but most catches are under 28 inches. Blue runners and macks can be had by anglers using silver spoons or speck rigs. Casting the lures away from the pier and quickly retrieving them works best.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.