Anna Maria-area anglers are finding themselves with idle time as cold fronts bring wind and rain, lessening the appeal of putting together a bite.
On calmer, warmer days, you can bet that every Tom, Dick and Chaya will be out there trying to get an adequate dose of fishing after suffering through withdrawal brought on by inclement weather.
That also can be aggravating.
Crowds and fishing just don’t go together.
With idle time on our hands, we can use an idea or two to keep us busy.
Here’s your opportunity to learn and preserve.
On Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m. a group called Captains for Clean Water will be visiting our little island to give an informational seminar on what we can do to preserve the delicate fishery that we so adore.
Hosted by the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, Captains for Clean Water will reinforce the need to join together and be aware of water quality issues we face daily.
Captains for Clean Water is a nonprofit started in 2016 to preserve, restore and protect water resources in Florida. By bringing public awareness and having a voice in the political arena, Captains for Clean Water is striving to improve and sustain the resource we love most about Florida — our aquatic paradise.
In being aware of water quality issues, as well as preventative measures to keep our waters clean and the positive direction we can take to minimize the impact, we can impact Florida waters.
You can bet that with the development boom we are seeing in Manatee County, we need someone in our corner to combat growth, or at least monitor it, to ensure proper measures are being taken to protect what undeveloped land we have left.
And yes, I’m talking about land, because what happens on land directly impacts what’s happening to our water.
We are seeing more frequent red tides, which are more severe, as well as other issues, such as blue-green algae blooms, which just started popping up here in recent years.
Overdevelopment, stormwater runoff of pesticides and fertilizers and poor infrastructure are big contributors to these problems and having an advocate — Captains for Clean Water — is a necessity.
These folks have the time and resources to confront the issues we are seeing on our local waters, but they need our support to really have an impact.
And, even if you’re not a Floridian, I think it’s everyone’s responsibility to be educated on the human impacts we’re causing to our delicate ecosystem.
Anna Maria Island is firmly positioned on the map as a quality tourist destination and we all need to share the responsibility of taking care of her and her surrounding waters.
And don’t forget, when the water quality goes bad, the tourists will move to the next place, leaving locals to pick up the pieces. We’ve seen it in the past with severe red tides and it will happen again if we don’t start being stewards of our precious resources.
So come out and show your support at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the community center. It would be a great statement for our area if there could be one of the largest turnouts ever recorded for a Captains for Clean Water meeting.
It’s time to get educated, get active and give back to the special place we call home.
It’s time to get on board.
For more information, visit captainsforcleanwater.org.
On another note, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has made changes to the snook regulations, although, in our region, the snook fishery is currently closed. It will open for harvest in March, April, September, October and November. The slot remains 28-33 inches, with a limit of one fish per day.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says sheepshead are making a showing. Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are catching sheepies measuring 12-14 inches. There are smaller ones mixed in, but determined anglers are taking a few nice-sized fish home for dinner.
Using live shrimp as bait is attracting redfish and black drum to the hook, too. Most reds being caught are over the maximum size limit of 27 inches and are being released.
As for the black drum, slot-size fish 14-24 inches are the norm and are nice additions to a stringer of sheepshead.
Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is fishing inshore most days due to strong winds and rough surf in the Gulf of Mexico.
On these trips, he’s putting clients on a variety of species, including sheepshead, black drum, redfish and pompano — all taking live shrimp as bait.
On days when fishing offshore is doable, White is leading clients to mangrove snapper and red grouper. For these fish, a bottom rig combined with a frozen sardine works nicely.
Capt. Johnny Mattay, also guiding for AMC, is finding good action offshore on the few calm days between cold fronts. Bottom fishing with frozen sardines and live pinfish is working well for clients who are finding red grouper, many yellowtail and mangrove snapper and some large gag grouper in the mix.
On windier days, Mattay is working inshore, where his anglers are using live shrimp as bait for good catches of sheepshead, redfish, black drum and mangrove snapper.
Spotted seatrout also are being caught in the back country, where grass flats and sandy potholes exist, Mattay said.
On my Just Reel charters. I’m finding many species enjoying the live shrimp I’m putting out as bait. Redfish are the most prominent catch for my clients, with black drum and sheepshead in the mix.
I’m also seeing pompano, as well as numerous whiting, while fishing along the beaches.
Finally, jack crevalle and ladyfish are finding their way to the boat as they can’t resist our offerings of live shrimp.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.