Although fishing in July around Anna Maria Island can be productive, outdoor heat and high water temperatures can deter even the most motivated anglers.
Those willing to brave the heat are scheduling their fishing sessions during the cooler parts of the day. Fishing early, at first light until 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., is advantageous. You may find the fish following suit, as they will be more active during the cooler periods of the day.
Don’t forget, tides play a major role in how the fish bite. So try to time morning excursions with a swift moving tide. The same applies in the evenings. Although water temps will be higher than desired, a swift tide might be enough to get the fish motivated to feed before sunset.
And don’t forget about night fishing. Targeting catch-and-release snook around green underwater lights or around bridges and passes can be productive in the dark. Again, you want to time your fishing during the best tides.
Finally, if you’re planning on being out in the heat of the day, carry an ample amount of water. Shade is always a good option, too. If no shade is available, which it often isn’t when you’re out on the water, cover up by wearing a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, hat and sunglasses. The less exposure you have to the sun’s rays, the better you’ll feel.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m trying to get on the water as early as possible. Flats fishing for catch-and-release snook is quite good during the first couple of hours after sunrise but as the shallows heat up I’m finding the bite diminishes. That signals it is time to fish the deeper grass flats for trout and mackerel. The fish seem to be more comfortable there as they are able to retreat to slightly deeper, cooler water.
Lastly, mangrove snapper are being caught when fishing structure in depths of 15-20 feet of water.
Capt. David White is working a summertime pattern while trying to find a bite and beat the heat.
Catch-and-release snook fishing is productive for White’s charter clients. Targeting linesiders along the Gulf beaches and passes works best and snook are being caught in all size ranges. Free-lining live shiners as bait is producing the best action.
Mangrove snapper also are being targeted by White. Bottom fishing around wrecks and reefs is yielding clients enough mangrove snapper to put a fish fry together. Smaller shiners are the best for bait. In some instances, White is chumming the snapper. In these scenarios, he’s free-lining baits in the chum to get a bite.
Lastly, with the abundance of sharks frequenting the warm waters surrounding Anna Maria, White is hooking up his share. For clients who wish to pull on a big fish, White is leading them to bull and blacktip sharks with fresh-cut chunks of mackerel, ladyfish or jack crevalle as bait.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is still on the mend from a broken knee, but that isn’t stopping him from frequenting his favorite spot on the north end of Anna Maria Island. While at the R&R, Malfese says he’s seeing some fish being caught despite the record-breaking heat. Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are hooking up with mangrove snapper as well as an occasional redfish. Catch-and-release snook are being caught on live shrimp, although preferred baits are pinfish, large shiners or mojarras. The snook being caught are running 20-40 inches.
Spanish mackerel also are being reeled up to the pier deck. Malfese says using speck rigs and silver spoons is working well to attract the mack bite.
On a final note, Malfese suggests fishing early morning or late evening to beat the heat — and the bite is the best.