Anna Maria Island anglers are getting out to do as much fishing as possible before another tropical wave settles in over west central Florida.
Now that the millions of gallons of freshwater released from Lake Manatee over the past several weeks have settled, the waters surrounding Anna Maria Island are calm and beginning to clear, making conditions favorable for inshore and nearshore fishing.
In fact, water clarity along the beaches and in the passes is improving enough for anglers to cast to species such as snook and redfish — as long as the seas are calm and an incoming tide is occurring.
As you move east off the island toward Anna Maria Sound you will notice a decline in clarity. So you’ll have to rely on your expertise to find fish.
Mangrove shorelines and oyster bars are prime spots to find action, especially on snook and redfish. Although the snook seem to be dispersed in many areas, you may discover the opposite scenario when targeting redfish. In many instances, once the redfish are located, you can luck into a congregation of fish in a concentrated area.
But don’t be hasty about moving from one spot to another until you’ve satisfied you’ve given it a thorough look.
Targeting spotted sea trout on the deeper grass flats in Tampa Bay is following suit. Substantial groups of trout are gathering on the deep grass, enabling anglers to anchor up and easily catch a limit of fish — plus plenty of smaller ones. There’s also a variety of other species patrolling the deeper flats to keep you busy, which creates a nice balance to the bite.
Encounters with jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish are common, as well as blacktip and sandbar sharks.
For anglers who prefer to fish from land, there are opportunities to be had with some proper planning, good timing and a little luck.
So make hay while the sun is shining and get out and do some fishing before we find ourselves in another tropical situation, which can send the fish into hiding and curtail our ability to get out on the water for a while.
I had a recent conversation with Jim Malfese, who had quite a bit to say about fishing at the Rod & Reel Pier. With vast amounts of bait gathering around the pier, Malfese boasts of good action on black drum and some redfish being caught, as well as a few snook.
Mangrove snapper are in the mix, although many are small and Malfese feels the larger snappers have moved out into the Gulf due to the abundance of freshwater in the bay.
“On some days, the fishing is really good,” says Malfese, “on the days it’s not good, we just hang out and drink beer.”
For all of you who appreciate the expertise of the former R & R baitmaster, don’t hesitate to take a walk out on the old Rod & Reel o as he seems to be out there frequently, baiting his hook and telling stories of how the island used to be.
On my Just Reel charters, I am impressed with the number of spotted seatrout I am seeing reeled to the boat. On many mornings, limits of trout are being caught without too much effort. Mixed in are plenty of smaller examples, as well as a variety of other species, such as jacks, macks, ladyfish and mangrove snapper.
Moving to the shallower flats in Tampa Bay is requiring a little more patience. Snook are being caught but several moves throughout area are required to keep the bite going. Redfish are being caught on the shallower flats, especially in areas where oyster bars and mangroves exist.
Capt. David White is working around the calm waters of Tampa Bay south to Sarasota Bay. Targeting redfish is going well for White, who says he’s finding success in many areas. While hunting for the fish, casting live shiners as bait is yielding good results on the flats around and along the mangrove shoreline.
Fishing for reds along the beaches is producing action, too, although White says cut or live pinfish are a better choice as bait.
And White putting clients on snook along the beaches, where they are responding to live shiners as bait. The snook are measuring 20-30 inches.
Finally, White says spotted seatrout on the deeper grass flats are cooperating on most days with limits available for his clients who might want to take home a fish to fry.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.