Move north to Tampa Bay to find clean water, feisty fish
The stench of red tide still looms in some backwater areas around Anna Maria Island, but fishing remains consistently good in southern Tampa Bay. Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, redfish, pompano, spotted seatrout and snook can be found in their refuge from red tide in southern Tampa Bay at the north end of Anna Maria Island. […]
Find clear, clean water to beat red tide, catch fresh fish
Fishing around Anna Maria Island remains good despite red tide. There are plenty of fish to be caught in areas where red tide doesn’t exist. In these areas, I’m noticing the water is clean, clear and holding plenty of fish. Whether fishing inshore or slightly offshore, the key is getting to your spot without running […]
Keep moving to clean water, avoid red tide for fish success
Although red tide remains in local waters, fishing around Anna Maria Island may hold a few good surprises for anglers with perseverance and luck. Those who have fished in these conditions know that if you can find clean water, you’re most likely going to find fish. Many species will move from an area when they […]
Be in the know — avoid red tide to find the fish
Despite being overrun with dead fish on the shore and marinelife that is overstressed by red tide, Anna Maria Island fishing can be productive. Fishing the outer boundaries of the red tide or traveling north to areas where the water is not contaminated is key to finding the bite. The highest levels of red tide […]
Fishing remained red hot, before red tide moved north
Fishing around Anna Maria Island remained consistent through Saturday, Aug. 4. With red tide in heavy concentration in the waters south of Sarasota down to Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande, it was as if a gray cloud loomed offshore. As the week progressed and reports from anglers in Boca Grande worsened, I wondered if the […]
Weather variety results in consistency with varied species
Fishing around Anna Maria Island offers a chance to hook up with a variety of species and also a variety of weather. If you’ve been out in a boat or fished from the shores of Anna Maria Island recently, you know what I’m talking about. I’ve seen everything from calm, clear water to rough cloudy […]
Dodge rainstorms, cool down, hone in on the catch
Fishing around Anna Maria Island is proving to be quite good as long as you’re willing to dodge frequent rain showers — and I mean frequent. Actually, the showers are brief, which can be nice. They also cool things down on the water. Just remember to watch for lightning. When you see it, it’s time […]
Summertime pattern settles in, produces stellar fishing
Fishing around Anna Maria Island has settled into a good summertime pattern. Light breezes from the east combined with morning high tides are producing some stellar inshore fishing opportunities. The deeper grass flats of Tampa and Sarasota bays are loaded with post-spawn trout. You may have to catch 20-30 of these trout to make your […]
Beat the crowds — fish early, fish late for best results
Despite the exaggerated volume of boats on the water for the holiday week, fishing around Anna Maria Island remained consistently good. Now the key to fishing these crowded weekends or around the holiday is to fish early morning or late evening. Those fishing morning tides are reporting good action on Spanish mackerel and snapper around […]
Head out to the Rod & Reel for R&R, great snook action
With near perfect weather, fishing around Anna Maria Island is proving to be stellar — especially at the Rod & Reel Pier on Tampa Bay. Clear, emerald green waters and light breezes from the west are the perfect recipe for fishing at the R&R and the catch-and-release snook bite is happening right now. After numerous […]