With temperatures mild for the first week of May, Anna Maria Island anglers are getting out on the water to experience a springtime bite before the heat of summer sets in.
The summer solstice is due June 20.
Flats fishing throughout our region is good, as schools of baitfish are infesting the grass flats, triggering the inshore trio — snook, redfish and trout — to feed heavily.
Water temperatures in the mid to upper 70s are perfect to maximize feeding habits, resulting in some of the year’s best flats fishing experiences.
Swift moving tides — which we should see toward the end of the week — present excellent opportunities on the flats, especially during the higher stages of the tide.
Moving into the Gulf of Mexico, you can expect more of the same. Kingfish and Spanish mackerel are being found around artificial reefs, wrecks and hard-bottom areas, especially where large schools of bait are present.
And while you’re out there, keep your eyes peeled as cobia are cruising near the surface of the water. Cobia’s curiosity draws it to the boat, so it’s good practice to have a large spinning rod handy to free-line a bait to them if the opportunity presents.
And, if you venture further in the Gulf in depths of 100 feet or more, red grouper are being caught. Live and frozen baits are working — so take your pick.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing plenty of action while working the flats of Tampa Bay southward into Sarasota Bay. There are many large spotted seatrout throughout our region making limits attainable on most days. Using live shiners as bait yields trout 14-16 inches and many of the fish are 20 inches or larger, which means they have to be released.
Catch-and-release snook fishing is heating up with rallies of 20 or more fish most days coming from the flats. Swift tides and clean water create the recipe for success. I’m also seeing redfish mixed in with the snook bite, always a welcome sight.
Capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria Charters is finding good action while working offshore. Red grouper are frequently being caught on Mattay’s trips to depths of 100 feet or more when using live and frozen baits. Mattay reports his anglers are working to catch their limits. And mangrove and yellowtail snapper are being found when offshore, too.
Moving closer, in depths of 40-60 feet, Mattay anglers are hooking into permit around artificial reefs and wrecks. He’s also finding cobia in these areas, as well as some kingfish.
Moving inshore to the flats, Mattay charter anglers are hooking into plenty of catch-and-release snook while working the mangrove shorelines. Redfish are present in these areas, too.
Lastly, Mattay reports spotted seatrout are abundant on the deeper grass flats of Tampa Bay.
Capt. David White says catch-and-release snook action in the backwater is quite good. Many are being caught on White’s guided fishing trips while working a variety of spots, including grass flats, mangrove shorelines, oyster bars and along the passes. White reports redfish are being caught on the same flats where mangroves and oyster bars exist.
Fishing deeper grass flats for spotted seatrout is going well, too, especially during swift-moving incoming tides. Schools of large jack crevalle are present in the backcountry and are being caught by White’s anglers on a variety of baits.
Finally, some of White’s lucky anglers are hooking into cobia while cruising in the Gulf of Mexico around reefs and wrecks.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.