Fishing around Anna Maria Island can be categorized as hot and cold.
With temperatures reaching into the mid-80s some days, many inshore species are creeping out of their wintertime haunts to feed on bait schools migrating into Tampa Bay and the surrounding waters.
Since the fish had been on a limited diet over the winter, you can bet they are ready to eat. Rising water temps and a smorgasbord of available baitfish create a perfect recipe for great action on the water.
Snook and trout, as well as schools of redfish, are being found on the flats.
Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish can be found slashing through the bait schools in the middle of Tampa Bay. Needless to say, there is plenty of good fishing to be had.
But wait a minute.
Hit the brakes.
Another cold front, a late one, approaches from the north.
Temperatures drop overnight into the 50s, causing a drastic cool down of the shallow inland waters where we target inshore species.
Lockjaw sets in when water temperatures drop 10 degrees overnight.
You can bet the fish are going to shut down.
In such scenarios, it’s best to take a day off of fishing for the front to pass and things to warm up again.
But if you just can’t wait to get out there or if it’s the only day you have, pack some patience.
You can probably catch a few fish but don’t expect a banner day.
Of course, there’s the old saying, a bad day on the water is better than a good day at work. Which I can sympathize with, but since I work on the water, the saying doesn’t apply to me.
The cooler days also are great for other outdoor activities and to be honest, we need to enjoy the cooler days as the relentless heat of Florida summer is just around the corner.
On my Just Reel charters, the inshore bite is quite good around the cold fronts and snook fishing is heating up along with water temps. On some days, I’m seeing as many as 30 snook caught on a half-day trip.
Spotted seatrout are following suit, although nailing them down has been challenging. Some days are good in one spot and then not so good in the same area a couple of days later.
Spanish mackerel are arriving on the deeper flats among the trout, which adds some thrills to the bite. You also can add some bluefish, which are quite a handful on light spinning gear.
And I’m picking up a few redfish here and there while targeting snook.
Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters says offshore fishing is shaping up nicely for the month. Venturing into the Gulf of Mexico to depths of 80-120 feet is yielding good action on a variety of species.
Bottom fishing with live baits such as pinfish is attracting many red grouper to the hook for White’s anglers. Switching to live shiners as bait works well, especially for mangrove snapper and blackfin tuna.
Moving inshore, White is happy to see slot-size snook being caught and redfish are being caught in the same areas as the snook. Spotted sea trout and mackerel are prevalent on some of the deeper grass flats.
Capt. Johnny Mattay, also of Anna Maria Charters, says inshore fishing is good on the warmer days between cold fronts.
Targeting snook along sandy shorelines and against mangroves is resulting in keeper-size fish.
Redfish are being caught, with many over the maximum size limit of 27 inches.
Spotted seatrout is another species taking the hook while fishing inshore. While targeting the trout, Mattay is seeing some Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle in the mix.
Moving offshore, Mattay is putting clients on a variety of species by both bottom fishing and flat-lining baits on the surface on the flats. Red grouper and mangrove snapper are predominant while bottom fishing, while amberjack and black tuna are being found close to the surface.
Mattay also noted African pompano are being caught while fishing around offshore springs.
It’s with a heavy heart that I announce Jim Malfese of the Rod & Reel Pier is giving his last fishing report to The Islander.
Due to a recent injury, he’s retiring.
Having worked at the pier since 2011, Malfese is highly regarded by those visiting the R&R from all over the world.
His friendly personality and willingness to help have endeared him to locals and visitors. Whether selling live shrimp or giving advice on a catch, Malfese always has had time to help anglers be better.
Educating folks on how to fish, what rigging to use or assisting with the proper release of seabirds from fishing lines, were just some ways Malfese made himself invaluable. And when a large fish was hooked, you could rest assured that he was standing by with the landing net to help the angler bring the fish up to the deck.
As a lifelong islander, you can bet Malfese has a plethora of stories about the island’s past, and he has always been willing to share his experiences when the opportunity presents itself.
With a passion for Anna Maria Island and the way things used to be, he’s found purpose in preserving the island lifestyle and he made sure people who visited the Rod & Reel were aware that everyone needs to pitch in to maintain our gem.
So, as we turn the page, I hope Jimmy’s tradition of going the extra mile to preserve the fishing environment at the pier will inspire the next baitmaster.
As far as the fishing report, Malfese says sheepshead are the main attraction at the R&R.
Many anglers using live shrimp as bait are hooking the zebra-striped fish as they nibble barnacles on the old pilings under the pier. Veteran sheepshead anglers are catching their limit of eight fish most mornings.
Using live shrimp as bait is attracting other species, such as black drum and redfish. Both of which are being caught in keeper sizes.
On days when bait schools are present, Malfese suggests casting artificials, such as speck rigs, out from the pier to hook migratory fish —macks and jacks.
Some undersize snook are being caught on live shiners and pinfish as bait.
On a final note, I want to thank Jimmy for taking the time to give me a report over the years. We had a good journey.
So … to Jimmy: I always looked forward to speaking with you every week and getting a fishing report for the pier, as well as to hear your stories about the past on AMI.
You’re one in a million and a good fisherman, too.
Thank you for many years of enjoyable conversations and fishing reports.
And for those of you who are fans of Malfese, don’t fret, as you’ll likely see him visiting the pier. And if you can’t find him there, you might check his other watering holes.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.