As Anna Maria Island anglers begin their return to the water after back-to-back hurricanes, we all need to keep in mind that there is still debris and other navigational hazards to be conscience of throughout the area.
Whether it’s floating debris, such as sections of docks, fences or tree limbs, or even channel markers that have been knocked over, you want to proceed with caution as striking a large object in the water could not only severely damage a boat but can cause harm to the driver and put passengers at risk.
Some sandbars have shifted, moved and disappeared, making some channels impassable, while other channels have shifted, becoming narrower than normal and causing navigation to be slightly difficult.
And, when you’re on the flats, be cautious in the shallows as debris can find its way there, too. Small hazards can be waiting in the sand just underwater where it’s not visible, causing problems for boaters running at high speed to get over a shallow area.
All in all it may be wise to spend some time navigating areas you frequented before the storms at slower speeds to examine the bottom for obstructions or shallow areas, and make notes of where you need to go slow or avoid. This should be easier as the waters clear up and the bottom becomes visible again.
So if it’s your first time on the water in a while, or the first time since the storms, use caution and go slow when you’re not sure what’s ahead — or below.
Capt. David White is spending most of his days fishing the southern portion of Tampa Bay and its adjacent waters to the south. Targeting snook along the mangrove shorelines is proving to be worthy of a cast or two, as White says he’s putting clients on plenty of linesiders. Live shiners as bait are not only attracting snook, but also a fair number of redfish. In fact, White reports he’s seeing more reds than snook.
On deeper grass flats in the middle of the bay, White is finding action on Spanish mackerel and large jack crevalle. Both are quickly striking baits, within moments after a cast enters the water.
And congrats to Capt. Johnny Mattay and his bride on their wedding!
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.