Anna Maria Island anglers are chomping at the bit to get out and do some springtime fishing.
And, with a week of temperatures rising into the 80s, this should be possible.
As water temperatures rise and begin to hold at tolerable levels on the flats, you can bet snook will move out of their wintertime haunts and into the shallows in search of a meal.
After all but hibernating through the winter, you can bet that when these fish come out, they’re hungry. That means it’s time to get dialed in on your favorite spots to catch white bait because they are the ticket to catching springtime snook.
Of course, you can probably catch a few on pinfish or even a large shrimp, but shiners are the bait of choice when it comes to targeting snook on the flats.
And don’t forget the spotted seatrout are on the prowl in the shallows, searching for nourishment as they also are hungry after the cold winter.
Springtime trout fishing can be exciting because many catches can be larger fish, creating opportunities to catch a “personal best” trout.
Using artificials this time of year is effective. Topwater plugs like the MirrOlure 84 MR, as well as the Rapala Skitterwalk and the Heddon Top Dog, can be deadly when targeting large trout in the spring.
Soft plastics on a jighead are another option and can be just as good as the topwater plugs, although there’s just something pleasing about seeing a monster trout explode on a topwater plug. After the angler witnesses it, it is ingrained in their mind.
It’s time to start jigging along the beaches because pompano, spotted seatrout, ladyfish, jacks and permit can be found cruising the shorelines in search of a meal. This is a great opportunity for anglers who want success while fishing from shore. Pompano jigs are the lure of choice and dressing them up with a small piece of fresh-cut shrimp adds an advantage.
Take note: the recreational snook harvest opened March 1 with a bag limit of one fish per person per day, and a 28- to 33-inch total length slot. Snook will remain open through April 30 and close for summer to protect stocks.
And the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish also opened March 1 in Gulf waters. Minimum size limit is 15 inches to the fork and the bag limit is one per person. Season closes May 31. For more information, visit myfwc.com/marine and click on recreational regulations, reef fish and triggerfish.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m following the sheepshead bite as some water temps are slightly cooler than normal for this time of year. Sheepshead up to 6 pounds are being caught, as well as many 2-3 pounders. Live shrimp on a knocker rig fished around reefs, wrecks and along the beaches are being devoured by these feisty porgies.
While targeting sheepies, plenty of other species are enjoying the offerings of live shrimp. Around the reefs, mangrove snapper, Key West grunts and flounder are being caught.
Along the beaches, catches include pompano, redfish, black drum and trout. While beach fishing, I’m noticing chumming with frozen shrimp is working well to muster up a bite. Once the fish arrive, its game on, especially with the pompano.
Capt. David White is working at the wrecks and reefs in Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. White says sheepshead, Key West grunts and mangrove snapper are responding to live shrimp when combined with a knocker rig and fished on the bottom. Sheepshead are dominant, and they give quite a fight on medium spinning gear.
Moving into shallower waters along the Gulf beaches, White is finding action for his clients on pompano, black drum and an occasional redfish. All three are responding to live shrimp as bait. He says tipping jigs with fresh-cut pieces of shrimp also is working well, especially for the pompano.
White is fishing afternoons using live shiners as bait to attract the attention of early-season snook.
Capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria Charters is finding good action offshore by bottom fishing over ledges and hard-bottom areas. He says live and frozen baits are working well, especially for red grouper.
Gag grouper are present and are showing a preference for live baits like pinfish.
Targeting snapper is going well for Mattay’s anglers on a variety of catches — mangrove, lane and vermillion. Mattay says live shrimp or small chunks of frozen sardines are luring snapper to the hook.
Moving inshore, Mattay is spending time along the Gulf beaches, which is yielding his anglers a variety of species on live shrimp as bait. Black drum, redfish and whiting are all in the mix, depending on location. Mattay also is finding consistent action on sheepshead around reefs and wrecks.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.