If you plan on fishing in August around Anna Maria Island, be prepared to endure the heat.
Our waters are host to a variety of targetable species inshore and offshore as long as you’re willing to sweat it out.
With bay and inland water temperatures hovering between 85-90 degrees you may choose to target fish that inhabit slightly deeper waters. Species such as Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper are a good bet. Try fishing deeper structure in the bay and in the Gulf of Mexico where the fish can find refuge from the heat by staying deep.
Spotted seatrout and silver trout also are worth targeting. These fish can be found on deeper grass flats in depths of 8-12 feet, which enables them to stay toward the bottom in the cooler water.
This being said, you can target fish that inhabit the shallows, such as snook and redfish. I wouldn’t expect any big rallies on these species, but you still may be able to hook a few. When targeting the shallow-water fish, keep in mind the water temperature plays a factor in their mood and motivation to eat bait. Trying to target them at 2 in the afternoon when water temps are highest may not be advantageous. Try fishing low light or no light conditions for the best results. Fishing a good tide right before sunrise or slightly after would be a good bet. Or night fish. This is definitely applicable for snook as they enjoy feeding at night — especially during the warmer months.
Sharks are another targetable hookup during August. They seem to be tolerant of warm water and will feed day or night.
Casting fresh-cut chunks of Spanish mackerel or bonito as bait is advantageous when targeting the large predators as they are keen to picking up scents in the water. And with mackerel and bonito being oily fish, you can bet they put out plenty of scents.
Shark encounters can include blacktip, sandbar and bull sharks. And don’t rule out an occasional hammerhead. They are slightly more elusive, but not uncommon.
Finally, if you have access to offshore waters, you may wish to travel in the Gulf of Mexico. Again, the deeper water environment is a refuge of moderate temperatures for offshore species.
Snappers of all varieties are quite common catches during the warmer months. American red snapper, yellowtail and mangrove snappers are the 3 most common catches. They’re also high on the list when it comes to table fare.
So if you can’t beat the scorching temperatures, there are still fish to find if you know when and where to look. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and make use of shade to beat the heat.
On my Just Reel charters, mangrove snapper is the primary target. Two techniques are working well, depending on the mood of the snapper. Bottom fishing seems to be best during quicker-moving tides. During slower tides, chumming the fish to the surface and freelining baits is proving effective for my anglers.
Fishing deep grass flats for spotted seatrout and silver trout also is working quite well. Mixed in are large Spanish mackerel, juvenile groupers, ladyfish and even a few small sharks.
Lastly, targeting catch-and-release snook is producing a few hookups, although warm water temps are making the fish quite selective on bait.
Capt. Warren Girle is catching mangrove snapper while working the artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. Using live shiners as bait on a small knocker rig with a circle hook is leading to limits of these fish. Catches are 12-18 inches.
Moving to the flats of Sarasota Bay, Girle is finding spotted seatrout throughout the deeper grass flats. Free-lining shiners in depths of 5-10 feet of water is working best to attract the trout and ladyfish and a few macks are in the mix.
Lastly, targeting snook and redfish on the shallow flats is proving to be best during high tides, when casting baits under the mangroves is most effective.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s seeing the mangrove snapper bite increase each day. Pier anglers using live shrimp are catching near the limits of keeper snapper during morning hours at the pier.
To find success, anglers are casting live shrimp under the pier on a weighted rig. Most snapper being caught are 10-14 inches with an occasional larger fish mixed in.
Pier fishers targeting catch-and-release snook are finding some action on larger baits, such as live pinfish and mojarras. Dead bait such as cut ladyfish also is working. Most snook catches are in the 30-inch range, although a couple of fish over 40 inches were reported.
Lastly, casting spoons or jigs is yielding macks, ladyfish and a sporadic jack crevalle at the northernmost pier on AMI.
Capt. David White is enthusiastic about the yellowtail snapper bite while working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Limits of the fish are being caught with ease on most offshore excursions. Other snappers, American reds and mangroves, also are going in the cooler.
Catch-and-release red grouper is another species proving to be abundant. To wrap up the offshore bite, White is putting clients onto an occasional blackfin tuna. Moving inshore, catch-and-release snook are hooking up along the beaches and passes. For anglers looking for dinner, mangrove snapper is a go-to fish. Limits of these fish are going home to a fish fry.
Lastly, blacktip and sandbar sharks are keeping anglers entertained as they aggressively take fresh-cut chunks of mackerel and bonito.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.