Fishing offshore and nearshore structure is where it’s at for anglers on Anna Maria Island.
Targeting species such as mangrove snapper, sheepshead, Key West grunts and porgies is consistent as long as you can get to the fishing grounds.
Live shrimp as bait works fine, not to mention that shrimp are convenient. All the angler has to do is stop by a bait shop, load up and pay. No need to rise at 5 a.m. to get out on the flats to throw the cast net numerous times in hopes of filling the bait well with shiners.
The dilemma with the bite is the seas need to be calm to venture into the Gulf of Mexico and, unfortunately, we haven’t had many calm days recently.
With frequent cold fronts dipping into our zone, bringing strong winds and inclement weather, reaching offshore waters has been challenging.
So for those who just have to be on the water, even during the windy days, we’re finding ourselves confined to the inland waters of Tampa Bay south through Anna Maria Sound and into Sarasota Bay.
It’s not that there aren’t any fish to catch in these areas. But it requires patience and determination, as well as a little know-how to have a successful day on the water in the winter months. Species such as sheepshead, black drum and redfish are in the cross-hairs and are being caught using live shrimp as bait.
Drifting and jigging along the beaches or in the bays where deeper grass flats exist is providing action on pompano, as well as jacks and bluefish.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m working the back country more than the Gulf due to strong winds and rough seas.
Putting a bite together in the inland waters has been challenging, although I’m leading my clients to respectable catches.
Fishing rocks and docks results in sheepshead up to 18 inches, as well as numerous redfish and black drum. Many of the reds are 16-18 inches, while the black drum are slightly larger, coming in at 20-24 inches.
Spotted seatrout are being caught on deeper sandy areas adjacent to grass flats. This bite provides good quantities of fish, although larger-size trout are hard to come by.
Bouncing jigs along the beaches also produces action for my anglers. Pompano are responding to jigs tipped with shrimp as are whiting, jack crevalle and sheepshead.
And for what it’s worth, there are many bonnethead sharks on the grass flats where large sandy potholes exist. Although they are not the most prestigious fish to catch, they provide good action when the bite is tough.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says fishing at the north end requires some patience and determination.
Pier anglers — using live shrimp as bait — are targeting and catching a few sheepshead and black drum, although the bite is not as good as it could be, according to Malfese.
Luckily the restaurant and bar are open. So when the fish don’t bite, you can always take a break and warm up with some good food and a cold beer.
Casting small jigs tipped with shrimp at the pier is also an option. Whiting and pompano are susceptible to those offerings and are known to frequent the pier as they move in and out of Tampa Bay.
Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is working inshore on the windier days and, although the bite is slightly challenging, he’s putting clients on a variety of species and even putting some fish in the coolers to take home for dinner.
Sheepshead is one such species and are being caught around structure on live shrimp. Black drum also take the bait, especially while working around docks.
Fishing along sandy beaches is providing action, as White is finding pompano for clients to target.
On calmer days, working offshore in depths of 50-100 feet results in more consistent action. Species such as hogfish and mangrove snapper are being caught, as well as lane snapper and red grouper.
Capt. Johnny Mattay, working Anna Maria Charters with White, is fishing on nearshore structure when the Gulf of Mexico is calm. Using live shrimp or sand fleas as bait is leading Mattay’s charters to a variety of species, including hogfish, sheepshead and various snappers, such as mangrove and lane. Porgies and Key West grunts are in the mix, too.
Moving inshore, Mattay is putting anglers on redfish, black drum and sheepshead to keep them entertained. All of these fish are being caught on live shrimp.
Lastly, drifting and jigging over the deeper grass flats of Sarasota bay is resulting in a few pompano on Mattay’s charters.
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