Fishing around Anna Maria Island remains hot.
If you’re planning on spending time on the water, plan accordingly.
First, be ready to catch fish.
Second, make sure you protect yourself from the sweltering conditions that are in store for you. Stock up on water and ice, and don’t forget everyone needs a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. There’s nothing worse than having to go in early because you’re suffering from heat stroke or just plain old heat exhaustion. Stay in the shade and stay hydrated.
And keep an eye on the weather app or the horizon for pop-up thunderstorms.
On my recent trips with Southernaire fishing charters, I’m finding blacktip sharks in Tampa Bay. Most of these sharks are 3-4 feet, which makes them great to target with medium-heavy spinning gear. My anglers are sight-casting to the sharks, which makes the hunt really exciting. For bait, cut mackerel, ladyfish or pinfish will suffice. When targeting these smaller sharks, a rig consisting of 8 inches of wire connected to a 4/0 circle hook will do the trick. What’s nice about a circle hook is the fish often gets hooked somewhere visible, mostly on the outer edge of the jaw. This makes it easy to remove the hook and release the shark without too much hassle.
When I’m not targeting sharks, I’m finding an abundance of mangrove snapper around rocks and docks. And for that matter, even some of the deeper grass flats are hosting mangoes. Most catches are 12-15 inches, although every once in a while I’m seeing fish up to 18 inches.
Finally, fishing deep grass flats for spotted seatrout is providing action. Mixed in with the trout are ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, snapper and small sharks.
Capt. Aaron Lowman also is targeting mangrove snapper and flounder around the rocks and docks in Tampa Bay. To catch these species, Lowman is using a bottom rig combined with small shiners or “hatch bait.”
Fishing rock piles in Tampa Bay is producing action on gag grouper. For these, Lowman prefers a live pinfish for bait.
Moving into the Gulf of Mexico, Lowman is putting clients on Spanish mackerel, sharks and even a couple of cobia turned up around the artificial reefs and natural ledges. Chumming with live shiners is key to getting a bite.
Capt. Warren Girle is finding good results at the nearshore reefs, where mangrove snapper, white grunts and flounder are coming to the hook. All three are being taken on live shiners. Spanish mackerel and some blacktip sharks also are being found around the reefs.
Moving to the flats, trout are being found in abundance in Sarasota Bay, where free-lining live shiners over deep grass flats is triggering a strike. Mixed in are Spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s seeing plenty of snook under the pier. Pier fishers targeting the linesiders are finding success on a variety of baits, including live shrimp, pinfish, shiners and ladyfish. With all snook being catch-and-release, Malfese keeps a close eye on the pier anglers to make sure the fish are handled with care.
Other species being caught at the R&R include Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, flounder and sharks.
Capt. Jason Stock is taking clients offshore for a variety of species. Fishing around ledges and hard bottom is resulting in a variety of snapper, including mangrove, yellowtail and American reds. Moving to wrecks and reefs is providing action on permit, goliath grouper and a random kingfish.
Moving inshore, Stock is targeting big snook — 36-40 inches — around the passes and along mangrove edges where deep water exists. To target the big females, Stock is using large baits — pinfish and ladyfish. After taking photos, the snook are released to be caught another day.
Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is finding Spanish mackerel quite accommodating for his anglers. Fishing structure in Tampa Bay or in the Gulf of Mexico is resulting in good numbers of the high-speed fish.
Around offshore structure, White is finding mangrove snapper and even a few hogfish are coming to the boat on free-lined shiners.
Moving inshore, White also is targeting big catch-and-release snook. Large shiners and pinfish are producing the bite.
Linesiders up to 3 feet in length are being caught and released.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.