The past week’s windy days combined with rain and colder-than-usual air temperatures, has left Anna Maria Island anglers digging deep for motivation to get on the water.
The calmer, sunny days randomly occurring are producing action for anglers in need of a fix.
Casting live shrimp around rocks and docks is leading to action on sheepshead, black drum and redfish, which enjoy the sanctuary areas where food exists.
Small crabs, shrimp, barnacles and oysters are on the menu for the winter trio of sheepies, redfish and black drum, making these areas sufficient for them to forage for food.
Casting live shrimp around the beaches and passes is effective. Pompano, whiting, jack crevalle and ladyfish can be found in these areas, too, and, if your timing is right, can develop into quite a bite.
Ladyfish and jacks are great action on light spinning gear and the pompano and whiting are favorites to bring home for dinner. As an added plus, pompano are fierce adversaries on light spinning gear, making them a favorite among many inshore anglers.
Also, large, sandy potholes can be pit stops for schools of bonnethead and small blacktip sharks. On medium gear, both species can deliver some thrills on the end of the line. Live shrimp on a long shank hook with some lead added to the rig will get the job done.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m finding redfish and black drum around residential docks and seawalls, with some sheepshead in the mix.
On calmer days, fishing along the beaches is leading to pompano, black drum and better quantities of sheepies than around the docks.
Also, fishing around the passes is producing action on jacks and ladyfish, good options when you want to bend a rod.
Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is working inshore when strong winds and rough seas are making it near impossible to get out in the Gulf.
Using live shrimp as bait, White is finding his clients a variety of species to target. Casting baits around rocks and docks in canals and other sheltered areas, his charters are hooking into redfish, black, drum and sheepshead.
On days when he’s venturing into the open water in the bays and passes, White is finding a few pompano for his anglers.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s seeing sheepshead and black drum being caught by anglers using live shrimp as bait.
With numerous days of wind and rain and the mix of high surf and rough waters, the fishing is slightly more challenging than usual.
But, anglers with patience and a willingness to brave inclement weather are coming up with dinner while fishing at the R&R.
Malfese said some lucky anglers are even hooking into some redfish.
Capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria Charters says that on days he’s able to venture offshore, the catch-and-release gag grouper bite is very good. Many gags are being caught and most are keeper-size fish, but all are being released.
Anglers looking to keep fish for dinner are busy catching red grouper, hogfish and mangrove snapper on Mattay’s boat.
Moving inshore, Mattay is finding action on sheepshead, redfish and black drum in canals and docks using live shrimp as bait.
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