Wind consistent, but anglers report great catches
Fishing around Anna Maria Island remains consistent, although windy days are keeping most fishers in the backwaters of the bays and the Intracoastal Waterway.
That said, reports from area fishing guides of snook and spotted seatrout are abundant. The same applies for mangrove snapper within a mile of shore and over the rock piles in Tampa and Sarasota bays.
On my Southernaire Fishing Charters, we are finding many rallies of snook. Most are in the range of 20-26 inches, with keeper fish being taken occasionally. Days of catching 30 or more snook are not uncommon and all snook were hooked on live shiners.
The season closed May 1 for snook, but a hookup can still provide an exciting fight for anglers.
Spotted seatrout are biting fairly well despite the fact they are spawning. Rallies of trout are not as common as they were a couple of weeks ago. After catching a half dozen fish, I’m having to move 50-100 yards down the flats to produce another flurry of fish. Limits are attainable, although I’m having to work harder to reach the goal for the cooler.
On calmer days the nearshore reefs are producing a variety of species. Bottom fish — mangrove snapper and grouper — are abundant. Also, migratory fish — Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle — are making an appearance. Cobia are being found around the reefs, so keep your eyes peeled and your rod handy.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing inshore with good results. Snook, trout and redfish are being found throughout the flats of Sarasota Bay. Free-lined live shiners are producing the best bite. Rallies of schooley-size snook are common, with a few keeper fish mixed in before season closed. For the redfish, live shiners cast into sandy potholes on shallow flats are providing action. Also, trout fishing on deeper grass flats with live shiners under a cork is producing slot-size fish.
Moving into the Gulf of Mexico, Girle is catching limits of mangrove snapper. Live shiners on a knocker rig are resulting in snapper 12-20 inches. Mixed in are grouper, mackerel and an occasional cobia.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is snook fishing in Tampa Bay, where both live bait and artificials are working well for his clients. Free-lined live shiners over shallow grass flats and around mangrove islands are resulting in many snook 22-26 inches. The best day this past week ended with a count of 80 snook hooked and landed.
Spotted seatrout are producing action for Gross when he’s not catching snook. Deeper grass areas — in the 6- to 8-foot depths — are producing numerous slot-sized trout. Live shiners under a cork are top producers. While targeting trout, Gross is putting his clients on Spanish mackerel and ladyfish.
Also, redfish are in Gross’ crosshairs. Although locating fish is challenging, Gross is managing to put his clients on a few nice redfish for the cooler. Again, live shiners are the bait of choice.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is working inshore structure for mangrove snapper. Limits of these tasty fish are being found in depths of 15-25 feet of water. Most catches are 12-16 inches. Along with the snapper bite, Lowman is putting his anglers on hookups with grouper and flounder.
Also, around inshore structure, Lowman is working the mack bite. These highly aggressive fish are being taken on free-lined live shiners combined with a long shank hook. While catching Spanish mackerel, other species, including barracuda, cobia and shark, are being attracted to the boat.
Moving inshore, Lowman is getting a good reception from snook, redfish and trout. All three are being taken on live shiners. Moving tides and finding a spot to fish out of the wind are key to finding success.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing some large black drum being caught by fishers using live shrimp as bait. Casting these shrimp under the pier among the pilings is resulting in drum, sheepshead, mangrove snapper and flounder.
Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and blue runners are being caught by fishers using jigs or spoons. Persistence is key due to the fact that the bait schools have not arrived at the pier, which in turn means fewer predatory fish.
Capt. Jason Stock is working offshore when winds are light out of the east. In depths of 60-80 feet, he is finding migratory species — black fin tuna and kingfish.
By anchoring and chumming, Stock is drawing fish to the surface in a feeding frenzy. Once this occurs, he sets clients about free lining shiners for a hookup. While targeting tuna and kingfish, Stock is also picking up an occasional cobia.
Permit are being found offshore. To catch these much-sought-after fish, Stock uses stealth on his approach to the structure until he sees the fish on the surface. Once spotted, his anglers are sight-casting live crabs with success.
Finally, bottom fishing around structure is producing mangrove snapper. Live shiners on a bottom rig are attracting attention from 20-inch snapper, according to Stock.
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