Fishing the waters around Anna Maria Island has turned from great to sporadic.
Since just last week, when anglers enjoyed a great bite in the nearshore waters, a black cloud of red tide has moved into both our north and south.
With reports of dead fish south of Anna Maria Island and toxic algae levels in the northern reaches of Tampa Bay, finding a good bite can be challenging.
But it’s doable.
Finding areas clear of red tide is attainable, especially in the southern half of Tampa Bay — from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge southwest to Bean Point. Also, the western shorelines of Terra Ceia and Miguel bays seem to be clear of any red tide.
And Anna Maria Sound — between Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay — proved to be good.
But, these conditions are changing daily. Wind and tides play major roles in moving patches of red tide and dead fish throughout the bay and its adjacent waters. One day, you may find fish, and the following day come to find red tide has chased everything out. Or worse, killed it. Perseverance and a little luck are required for the days to come.
On my Southernaire charters, catch-and-release snook fishing is proving to be a lifesaver. I’m finding small groups of snook in the areas where the water is clean. Mangrove shorelines during morning outgoing tides are producing decent numbers of snook in all size ranges. I’m even seeing snook 20-30 inches responding nicely to free-lined hatch bait. This bite is requiring a little chumming to keep the fish motivated, but it’s working.
Mixed in with this bite are some mangrove snapper — a welcome sight for anglers who want fish to take home for dinner. Surprisingly, some of these “flats” snappers are measuring up to 15 inches.
Spotted seatrout are rounding out the inshore bite for me. These fish seem to be highly sensitive to the influx of water quality, which gets them moving. It takes a little searching to find a good concentration — one day they are in a spot, the next day they’re not.
On July 16, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made snook, redfish and spotted seatrout catch-and-release only in Tampa Bay due to impacts from red tide. These closures — which successfully keep fisheries sustainable throughout red tide events — will continue through at least Sept. 16. The following areas are affected by the new rules: All waters in Manatee County north of State Road 64/Manatee Avenue — including the Braden River and all tributaries of the Manatee River, excluding the waters of Palma Sola Bay. All waters of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, excluding the Anclote River and its tributaries.
Meanwhile, Capt. Warren Girle is finding action in pockets of Sarasota Bay despite red tide. Fishing over deep grass flats is providing a bite, especially on spotted seatrout. Respectable numbers of trout are being caught, although most are lower-slot fish — 15-16 inches. While targeting trout, Girle is putting clients on various other species, including jack crevalle, ladyfish and bluefish.
Moving to the shallower flats in the bay, Girle is putting clients on catch-and-release redfish. Casting baits around oyster bars and mangroves produce the reds, with some reaching 29 inches in length, and a handful of catch-and-release snook.
Capt. David White is escaping red tide by running charters offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, where both live and frozen baits are being well received. Snapper — yellowtail, mangrove and American reds — are dominating the bite. Fishing wrecks, reefs and hard bottom is producing the best action for White’s clients. Also, while in these areas, his anglers are hooking into some gag and red grouper.
Moving inshore, catch-and-release snook are the primary catch. Free-lining shiners around the mangrove shoreline is resulting in numerous hookups. Over deeper grass flats, mangrove snapper are sporadic and some spotted seatrout are in the mix.
Capt. Jason Stock is impressed with the bite while fishing offshore on the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing depths of 100 feet or more is providing solid action on American red snapper. Also in the same areas, African pompano and gag grouper are being caught, which is always a welcome sight.
Moving in a little closer, yellowtail snapper are being caught frequently. In fact, limits of these tasty fish are attainable. Fishing shallow water wrecks in 30-50 feet of water is still good for permit fishing. Mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel and goliath grouper also are being reeled up.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says catch-and-release snook are being caught despite some mild episodes of red tide. Using live shrimp or pinfish as bait is resulting in hookups with linesiders. Mangrove snapper are being caught by anglers opting to use live shrimp as bait.
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