Summertime fishing is settling in around Anna Maria Island, which means fishing early morning and late evening bites will typically yield the best results.
With water temperatures in the mid- to upper-80s, many fish we target are most active during low-light conditions because water temperatures are slightly cooler.
If you can combine this time with peak movement of the tide, you should be in store for great summertime action, especially if you’re fishing the shallower waters in the bay for redfish and catch-and-release snook.
Once the sun is high in the sky, you might notice a lull in the flats bite. When this happens, it’s time to move to deeper water for slightly cooler water temps. Deep flats of 8-10 feet can yield trout, ladyfish, mackerel and jack crevalle — all worthy adversaries on medium-light spinning gear.
Also, areas like artificial reefs and wrecks in the Gulf of Mexico are an option as mangrove snapper and small groupers should remain active throughout the day because they linger in the cooler water close to the bottom.
Around structure in the Gulf, you might encounter larger fish, including cobia and shark. So be ready with heavy tackle.
And don’t forget to bring water and other liquids to drink throughout the day because this summertime heat can cause dehydration and even heatstroke. Staying hydrated is key to staying out longer in the heat. Long sleeves, hats and sunscreen also help, but staying hydrated is most important.
On my Just Reel charters, the spotted seatrout bite remains impressive for another week. Many trout in the 14-inch range are being caught, although limits of trout 15-19 inches are being caught daily. Lucky anglers are fighting some over-slot fish measuring up to 22 inches.
Also, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish are in the mix, as well as small sandbar sharks.
Catch-and-release snook fishing is good on days where swift moving tides occur. Casting live shiners around mangrove shorelines and oyster bars is producing some nice action for my clients. Sight-casting to snook along the Gulf beaches and passes is resulting in larger examples of linesiders.
Finally, I’m seeing mangrove snapper while fishing deep grass or structure in Tampa Bay.
Capt. David White says he sees many spotted seatrout being reeled in on his charters. Casting live free-lined shiners over deep grass flats leads to limits of trout on most days, with Spanish mackerel and ladyfish in the mix.
White says catch-and-release snook fishing is good for his sport fishers, with all sizes being caught. Casting for redfish along mangrove shorelines yields results for the cooler on most days, especially during the higher stages of the tide.
Targeting tarpon is providing action for trophy hunters and White hopes to hook up on more silver kings around the remainder of the full moon.
Moving offshore, White is hooking into plenty of red snapper, as well as red grouper.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.
Hurricane recovery grants offered to captains, guides
Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper are offering emergency grants to recreational fishing professionals still recovering from the 2024 hurricane season.
The funding will come from the International Game Fish Association’s Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund and eligible captains and guides can receive up to $1,000 to cover lost income and recovery expenses.
Charter captains and recreational fishing guides must have been impacted by hurricanes Helene or Milton and operate in the Suncoast or Tampa Bay region.
Applicants need to provide a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license, proof of insurance, a completed W-9 form and
documentation of trip cancellations or revenue loss.
The application window will be July 26-Aug. 2, with recipients announced Aug. 15.
To apply, go online to https://bit.ly/WARF_grant beginning July 26.
For more information, go online to suncoastwaterkeeper.org or tampabaywaterkeeper.org.
Suncoast Waterkeeper also can be reached at 239-222-2443.
— Lisa Neff