When the waters change, the fish and the anglers must adapt.
With the inshore waters surrounding Anna Maria Island showing a slow recovery after the record-breaking rainfall and winds from Debby — a tropical storm here, a hurricane at landfall in the Big Bend area — many anglers are migrating to nearshore and offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico for a consistent bite.
Targeting snapper in depths starting around 50 feet and extending to more than 100 feet is yielding the best action for those looking to find a bite and put some fish on the table.
In shallower depths, mangrove snapper are prevalent, as they seem to like the higher salinity levels that aren’t available in inshore waters with the influx of rain and stormwater drainage.
Other species, such as Key West grunts, juvenile grouper and Spanish mackerel, are inhabiting nearshore waters, as well as some unexpected guests, including mahi-mahi.
For anglers equipped to travel long distances in the Gulf to depths of 100-plus feet, yellowtail and American red snapper are abundant. Other species, such as rainbow runners and wahoo, also are being caught.
As far as inshore fishing goes, anglers are advised to pack some patience, as most of the waters show mass amounts of intrusion of fresh water draining out of rivers and creeks.
There are still fish to be caught, but consistency of the bite is something to be desired. Redfish are the most prominent, as they seem to be congregating along the shorelines and sandbars adjacent to creek openings and the mouth of the Manatee River. With the ability to withstand low salinity levels, the redfish are flourishing on the flats of the backcountry all the way to the Gulf beaches.
What is even better? Redfish are not particularly picky when it comes to bait. Live baits, cut baits and artificial baits are on the menu when it comes to targeting redfish, making them a favorite of the flats angler.
Other flats species, such as snook and spotted seatrout are found throughout the backcountry, although locating large concentrations of either species is challenging. Targeting the fish might require some determination, as well as fishing a spot thoroughly to maximize the bite. Live baits, such as shiners or pinfish, are recommended, although anglers are reporting success using artificials, such as soft plastics on a jig head.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m chipping away at the inshore bite. Targeting snook around mangrove shorelines is producing action, although in many instances, several moves throughout one area are required to keep the bite going. Spotted seatrout are following suit, with many fish falling in the keeper-size range of 15-19 inches. Finding concentrations of fish is challenging, although limits are attainable.
Redfish, on the other hand, are frequently being found and in respectable-sized schools. Rallies of 10-20 fish on a flat are occurring on some days when the tides are moving.
Lastly, I’m finding mangrove snapper around docks and other structure in Tampa Bay and they can add to a bountiful fish fry.
Capt. David White is working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, while inshore and nearshore waters are recovering from Debby.
Limits of yellowtail snapper are being caught while anchoring and chumming over hard-bottom areas. Using small pieces of cut threadfin herring as bait is luring the tasty snappers up from the depths to quickly devour the bait and hook.
American red snapper are being caught in areas where hard bottom exists, with live pinfish as bait working best.
White is catching rainbow runners, which are not frequently caught in our area but are quite popular, especially for anglers who are sushi enthusiasts. And a bonus: White is encountering wahoo offshore. For those who know about the fish, they can put up a fight, and they’re one of the best-eating fish available.
Moving inshore, White is finding spotted seatrout around deep grass flats. And he’s putting clients on mangrove snapper around docks and other structure in the bay.
Lastly, juvenile tarpon are being sighted and, although finicky, White is getting a few to take his bait. And the silver kings are a photo trophy fish.
Capt. Johnny Mattay also is running offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, which is yielding a variety of species. American red snapper are the most prominent bite, with limits easily attained. Other snappers, such as yellowtail and mangrove, are cooperating. In fact, Mattay says the snapper bite is as good as it gets. All three species are being caught on live or dead baits. For live baits, pinfish and shiners are working well. As for the dead baits, frozen sardines or threadfin herring are attracting plenty of attention for Mattay’s clients.
Fishing nearshore structure in depths of 40-60 feet is yielding snapper, although the yellowtails and red snapper are excluded. Mangrove snapper are prevalent in the shallower depths and being caught regularly while using live shiners on a knocker rig. Also present in these areas are Spanish mackerel, which are being caught by free-lining live shiners behind the boat.
Inshore, Mattay is seeing good numbers of redfish on the flats and around the stands of mangroves.
Juvenile tarpon, all catch and release, all the time, are making an appearance on the deeper flats and are occasionally being tricked into taking a bait.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.