Anna Maria Island anglers still have time to get in some catch-and-release fishing as snook migrate toward the Gulf in anticipation of their spawn.
July and August present excellent snook fishing opportunities, especially for anglers who like to fish from shore. As snook prepare to spawn, they gather in schools along the beaches, in the passes of Longboat and Bean Point, and all points between.
Typically you’ll see one or more large females being followed by several smaller males, which presents great sight-casting opportunities and the potential to hook into your “personal best”-sized fish.
Spinning gear or fly tackle can be utilized when targeting the beach snook. Medium-light to medium spinning gear is ideal, as this lighter gear makes casting easier and more accurate, helping the angler when sight-casting to fish in shallow water.
And although the potential to hook into a large snook is good, you’ll find the light spinning gear is sufficient as long as no rocks, mangroves or docks are present — allowing the fish plenty of room to run without cutting the line. Fly fishing also is ideal for beach fishing.
Both live baits and artificials work for targeting snook on the beaches. Shiners, pinfish, mojarras and small whiting are great offerings to present to fish cruising the shorelines. If no pinfish are present, a jumbo shrimp will do the job.
As far as artificials go, crank baits such as lipped plugs are great. Yo-Zuri, Rapala and MirrOlure make some great options and soft plastics like the DOA TerrorEyz or CAL jig are deadly on beach snook.
And don’t forget, if you’re using artificials, color is a factor. Match what the snook are eating.
If all else fails, there’s always the old standby — a bucktail jig. A straight white bucktail jig can be most effective for fishing in the surf. The addition of some red to this lure can make it deadly.
Now, to finish the recipe for success on your snook fishing excursion, you’re going to need to plan your fishing around tides and water conditions. Additionally, since you’re fishing along the beach, you’ll need to fish hours with the least amount of beach traffic.
That’s the hardest one, especially with the popularity of Anna Maria Island nowadays. Early morning just before sunrise can be good, but you really want that sun up in the sky if you’re going to sight-cast to fish. Afternoons could be good, too, so you have to do some scouting to find a stretch of beach that isn’t too crowded with people.
And if you’re up for fishing at night, try areas where structure exists or in the passes.
On a final note, don’t forget these fish are out of season. That means you should handle them with care and they must be released.
Don’t let a local catch you mistreating a snook unless you’re ready to also catch an earful. Islanders love and demand respect for the local snook fishery.
On my Just Reel charters, spotted seatrout are dominating the bite for another week, although they are starting to get some competition from mangrove snapper. Greater numbers of snapper are moving into Tampa Bay and southward to Sarasota Bay. Nearshore and inshore structure can yield mangrove snapper and the bite should improve over the next few weeks.
Catch-and-release snook fishing is getting good, with targetable fish along the beaches and passes.
Migratory species, such as mackerel, ladyfish and jacks, are present around bait schools and structure, which provides good catch-and-release action on medium spinning gear.
I’m also seeing flounder — a tasty option for a fish fry — while bottom fishing around wrecks and reefs.
Capt. Johnny Mattay is finding plenty of action while fishing offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. While exceeding distances of 30-plus miles, Mattay is putting clients on American red snapper. On most days, limits are being caught in short fashion. Red grouper also are present at these distances and are being caught frequently. Live or frozen baits work well.
In slightly shallow waters in the 20-mile range, Mattay is hooking into dolphin, aka mahi-mahi, while free-lining baits or jigging bait for snappers. He says the schools arrive at random, causing brief stints of pandemonium as everyone becomes hooked up simultaneously. And, just as fast as the fish arrive, they move on to terrorize other anglers.
As for snappers, mangrove and yellowtail are the frequent catches, with an occasional B-liner in the mix. Also at these depths, Mattay is encountering large catch-and-release gag grouper. Although they have to be released, these fish possess tackle-busting capabilities. Therefore, they are most entertaining to the unsuspecting angler planning on reeling up a snapper.
Moving inshore, Mattay is catching respectable amounts of trout on the deeper flats. Targeting snook along the beaches and passes also keeps a rod bent.
Capt. David White says his clients are catching spotted seatrout in abundance while fishing the deeper grass flats of Tampa Bay southward to Sarasota Bay. Free-lining live shiners over the deep flats yields numerous strikes from the trout, resulting in limits of fish. Ladyfish, mackerel and jack crevalle are mixed in, adding nuance to this bite.
Catch-and-release snook fishing helps keep White and his sport fishing clients entertained as they sight-cast along the beaches and passes to fish feeding in the shore break.
Lastly, wreck fishing for goliath grouper is White’s crowd pleaser of the week. Fresh-cut chunks of jack crevalle or bonito are attracting goliaths in the 100-pound range.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.