We are in the second week of May and many Anna Maria Island anglers are enjoying a springtime bite, mild temperatures and dry conditions as a result of repetitive high-pressure systems and low rainfall.
Water temps in the mid- to upper-70s yield great opportunities to fish inshore and nearshore, giving anglers a chance at comfortable conditions before the heat of summer settles into the Gulf of Mexico.
Early morning catch-and-release snook fishing is about as good as it gets, especially if you time your trips around phases of the moon to get the swiftest moving tides. Live and artificial baits will produce during the cooler low-light conditions, about 7-9 a.m.
Casting topwater plugs over shallow flats, where snook are staging, is a great way to see explosive strikes and a hookup with a slot-size or larger snook.
The same applies for live baits. Shiners cast in the same areas will trigger an even quicker response than a lure.
And, since it’s May, there should be snook patrolling the shallows on the beach side of Anna Maria Island. This can offer great sight-casting opportunities, especially for anglers armed with fly rods.
Artificials — like soft plastics and suspending baits designed for spinning outfits — also will work.
Just remember, snook are all catch-and-release until September.
As far as nearshore fishing goes, there are cobia lingering around the artificial reefs and wrecks within 9 miles of shore. In fact, schools of cobia are rising to the surface as they mill over reefs, enjoying the sunshine.
Other predators, some suitable for your coolers, include Spanish mackerel, kingfish and large jack crevalle, which can be found in the same areas as long as the water temps remain moderate.
And last, but definitely not least, May is the beginning of tarpon season around Anna Maria Island. It’s time to dust off the tarpon gear and get out along the beaches and passes to patrol for the much sought-after silver king. From now through the end of the month, we should see increasing numbers of fish as they stage in preparation of the long trip offshore to spawn.
On my own Just Reel charters, I’m seeing pretty good catch-and-release snook action during the morning charters. Many fish 20-26 inches are being caught, with larger examples mixed in.
Some large spotted seatrout are lurking in the same areas as the snook, which is adding a surprise here and there to the bite. Big trout are always a welcome addition to the action.
I’m seeing some redfish being caught, although the bite is random, usually occurring while working the mangrove ledges and oyster bars.
As water temps rise, the frequency of blacktip sharks taking a hook is becoming greater, presenting opportunities to catch-and-release the top-of-the-food-chain predators.
Capt. David White is flats fishing for snook, redfish and trout. As May progresses, he says, the linesiders are being found in a variety of spots, ranging from the flats in the backcountry all the way out to the passes, where small groups of fish are gathering before making their way to the beaches. The most consistent bite is on the flats and is yielding many hookups while casting live shiners as bait.
White says redfish also are being found on the flats, especially around mangrove islands and oyster bars.
As for the trout, deeper grass flats where clean water and good tidal flow occur is producing the best action, says White.
Tarpon are also an option for White’s anglers. Afternoon and evening outgoing tides are his focus as he keeps clients busy casting live crabs or threadfin herring in the passes and around the bridges, where tarpon are giving up a few hookups per trip and more for lucky anglers.
Lastly, White is putting clients on target to hook up with larger sharks frequenting our local waters during the tarpon run. Bull, black tip and greater hammerhead sharks are the norm.
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