Fishing a consistent bite was hard to come by in March as numerous weather patterns fluctuated, causing strong winds and drastic temperature changes.
Still, Anna Maria Island anglers were resilient in their efforts to be on the water — despite the not so favorable conditions — in an attempt to catch fish.
With numerous days of winds in various directions reaching 15-20 mph, most fishers were hugging the shore.
With mangrove islands and long shorelines blocking wind, as well as the calmer water, inshore fishing has been where it’s at. These sheltered waters are attainable to a majority of anglers, whether in a boat, wading the shallows, on a pier or the shore. Yes, inshore fishing is most popular across Anna Maria Island.
Species such as snook, redfish and spotted seatrout are typically found in the shallows, making them targetable to a wide genre of anglers.
As we approach April, you can bet on all three of these species to settle into their springtime ambush points for a little fattening up after a lengthy winter.
Typically, April can be consistent and weather patterns make it one of the best months to fish. Not only does the flats fishing really turn on, but so does nearshore and offshore action.
There are endless opportunities on the horizon so long as the windy days of March stay behind us. So make sure your tackle is in good working order and clear some days in April to get out on the water.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m finding myself in a wide range of fishing scenarios as the roller coaster ride of rising and falling temperatures and high winds are major factors in the bite.
On the warmer days between the cold fronts, flats fishing for snook is good. Casting live shiners around shallow grass flats, mangroves and oyster bars is leading to some great snook sessions with more than 20 fish being caught without even having to pull the anchor.
On windier days right after a front, I’m seeing the bite diminish slightly with only a few fish being caught before I pull anchor to move down the shoreline. In many instances, drops in water temperatures or cloudy water due to windy conditions is triggering a slower, less motivated bite.
Targeting spotted seatrout is following suit. On the nicer days in the areas where the water is clear, the trout bite is excellent but add some cold weather and wind and they tend to get lockjaw.
I have found a good alternative for those cooler windy days and that is sheepshead, which are quite tolerant of the cooler water temperatures and don’t seem to mind the dirty water. This makes them a good target for a bite in March. Using live shrimp for bait is working to attract the tasty sheepies to the hook.
When targeting them on the reefs in the Gulf, I’m catching a handful of mangrove snapper and Key West grunts, which make nice additions to a fish fry.
Capt. David White is finding the higher stages of the tides yield the best action while fishing the inshore waters of Tampa Bay south to Sarasota Bay. He says casting live shiners along mangrove shorelines where clear water exists is producing a good bite on snook and redfish.
Targeting trout on deeper grass flats with the same characteristics of clean, clear water is going well for White when using live shiners as bait. Spanish mackerel and ladyfish are present in these areas and are being caught between trout bites.
On calmer days, casting shrimp-tipped jigs along the beaches and particular grass flats is leading to some hookups on pompano for White’s anglers.
Capt. Johnny Mattay says inshore fishing is exceptional, with numerous catches of snook, redfish and trout keeping his clients busy.
Mattay says folks are catching plenty of snook in all sizes, including some keepers snook among the many fish just under slot.
Redfish also are being caught along the mangrove shoreline, where he says moving down the shore and casting baits under the bushes is helping to locate schools of reds.
Fishing grass flats in 3-5 feet of water is yielding good action on spotted seatrout.
Finally, on calmer days, Mattay is venturing to the nearshore ledges where mangrove snapper, Key West grunts and lane snapper are coming to the boat on live shrimp.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.