With the tryptophan worn off and a full recovery from the effects of over-consumption on Thanksgiving, Anna Maria Island anglers are back on the water.
On calmer days, venturing into the Gulf of Mexico is a good bet as migratory species — kingfish, mackerel, bonito and sharks — are readily available to anglers working around structure.
The artificial reefs are a good bet to check out as large bait schools are gathering in these areas.
Other areas, such as hard bottom and ledges, can be prosperous, too.
Although targeting migratory fish with free-lined baits is most exciting, don’t forget to try bottom fishing. Mangrove snapper, Key West grunts, grouper and kingfish are lurking down deep near the structure. You may even encounter a few flounder if you’re lucky.
When it’s too windy and the seas are rough, anglers confined to the back country are finding action.
Fishing the inland bays — Sarasota Bay north to Tampa Bay — presents opportunities to catch the popular trio of snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. Other species, such as jack crevalle, ladyfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel are present in these waters, providing anglers with a variety of options.
And with water temps in the mid to lower 70s, the potential for pompano should be on your mind. It might be worth doing a little drifting and jigging over your favorite areas to target the fish.
The drop in water temperature makes it necessary to carry a few dozen live shrimp in addition to the live shiners. When water temps drop, some species will eat a shrimp and you many encounter a species like pompano, which only eat shrimp. So keep a few in the Flow-Troll bucket among your shiners.
Also, don’t forget that snook season will close Dec. 15. So if you haven’t gotten your keeper-size snook, you’d better get after it, as your time is running out. This is the last year snook will be open in December. In 2024, snook season will end Nov. 30.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m spending as much time as possible in the Gulf of Mexico, where kingfish and Spanish mackerel are the main bite, with nice examples being caught of both species. Bonito and shark are in the mix, as well as some unexpected hookups on amberjack. Hooking into the AJs in depths of 40-50 feet in state waters is not a common occurrence. So any opportunities to do so are welcome.
In the backcountry, I’m finding snook, reds and trout accommodating, although the bite requires more patience than the bite in the Gulf.
Capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria Charters is spending most of his time fishing ledges and reefs in the Gulf when the seas are calm. Hogfish are the highlight of this bite while bottom fishing with shrimp or sandfleas. Mixed in are mangrove snapper, Key West grunts and porgies.
Fishing live shiners as bait on the surface in these areas is resulting in catches of kingfish, Spanish mackerel and bonito.
Fishing offshore with Mattay is yielding larger kings, as well as yellowtail snapper, amberjack and catch-and-release groupers.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s seeing plenty of action occurring for anglers using live shrimp as bait. Both black and red drum are being caught when casting shrimp under the pier on a weighted rig.
Pier anglers might need to use heavier gear
as some of these fish are over-slot. Reds and black drum exceeding 30 inches can be hard to curtail, especially around the barnacle encrusted pilings under the pier.
Some slot- and over-slot snook are being caught, which also requires stout gear if the angler hopes to stand a chance at landing one.
For anglers with light spinning gear, migratory fish such as blue runners, jack crevalle, ladyfish and mackerel are available. Try casting silver spoons or speck rigs to get hooked up.
Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is finding good action while working offshore in the Gulf. Mangrove snapper and yellowtail snapper are being reeled up and finding their way into the ice chest. Migratory species such as blackfin tuna and kingfish also are being caught while offshore.
Moving in closer to the beaches, White’s anglers are finding good results with bonito and macks, as well as plenty of sharks.
Finally, on the flats of Tampa Bay, White is putting clients on snook, redfish and jack crevalle.
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