With large amounts of bait fish gathering in Tampa Bay and along the Gulf beaches, Anna Maria Island fishers are seeing an influx of migratory species.
Ladyfish and jack crevalle are more prevalent as they follow the bait schools to gorge in preparation for the fall.
Spanish mackerel and bonito also can be found, especially around the artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. These fish follow the bait to fill their bellies on a daily basis as they move south down the coast.
Finding the fish can be accomplished by watching for the ruckus of shorebirds, such as seagulls and terns, which are a dead giveaway to the presence of bait schools. Large numbers of birds hovering and diving into the water are easy to spot on the horizon and, during September, are worth investigating. As you get closer, you may see numerous splashes as hungry fish slash through the dense bait schools gathered on the surface.
Casting live baits or lures — spoons and jigs — can result quickly in a hookup from whatever is on the feed. Typically, once discovered, you’ll find the schools of bait hold many feeding fish, which can result in quick action, as well as numerous hookups.
Although most of the migratory fish — ladyfish, bonito and jack crevalle — have little food value to the angler, they sure are entertaining, as all three species are quite strong when hooked on medium spinning gear.
As for the Spanish mackerel, some anglers consider them good tablefare as long as they are quickly filleted and eaten the same day they’re caught. If targeted as a catch-and-release species, they are capable of being quite an adversary on light spinning gear.
With all of the commotion going on, you can bet a few sharks will be attracted to your target area. The most common encounters include blacktip and spinner sharks, as well as some sandbar sharks. If prevalent in the area, the sharks can be caught by casting a fresh-cut chunk of mackerel or bonito into the water. Be ready for a battle, as the sharks can range 3-7 feet in length. Stout gear with a wire leader is in your best interest for this hunt.
So if you’re looking for some fast action on the water, get out there and find the birds. They’ll lead you to the bait, which will result in you finding the fish.
Capt. David White is working inshore for a variety of species for his clients. Snook fishing is starting to pick up as the water temperatures are dropping. White is finding fish along the passes as well as on the flats, where freelined live shiners work best as bait.
Spotted seatrout are being caught while inshore, especially over the deeper grass flats. Mixed in with this bite for White’s anglers are jack crevalle and ladyfish.
Moving into the nearshore waters of the Gulf, White is putting clients on action on the migratory fish, such as bonito and Spanish mackerel. Both species are attracted to the bait when chumming heavily with live shiners. And with the commotion of the macks and bonito, sharks are attracted and ready to take a bait.
White is cutting and casting fresh-cut chunks of bonito to catch blacktips and spinner sharks.
Jim Malfese at the northernmost fishing station on Anna Maria Island, the Rod & Reel Pier, says he’s seeing some snook being caught, although most catches are just under the minimum size limit of 28 inches. The snook are being caught on a variety of baits, including live shrimp, pinfish and live shiners.
Redfish ranging 15-25 inches also are being caught at the pier and live shrimp as bait is working best on the fish. Stout gear may be required to land larger reds, as they are quite skilled in running under the pier when hooked and, if not controlled, they will run your line against the barnacle-encrusted pilings, which immediately results in a cut line and a lost fish.
Lastly, schools of jack crevalle are frequenting the pier as they move in and out of the southern range of Tampa Bay. These fish are on the move so being in the right place at the right time is key to getting a bite. Small jigs or silver spoons work best as bait, although live shrimp will work, too, according to Malfese.
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