Brave the heat for hookups in-, near- and offshore of AMI
If you can deal with the heat, there is some great fishing waiting in the waters around Anna Maria Island. Venturing offshore is resulting in numerous yellowtail and mangrove snappers. Keeper gag and red grouper are being caught with some consistency. And, if you’re staying inshore or nearshore, the list goes on. Spotted seatrout are […]
Tropical storm, bad etiquette can spoil a day’s fishing
Fishing around Anna Maria Island is proving to be slightly challenging in the wake of Tropical Storm Emily. Our clear emerald green waters are now the color of iced tea — and since we are in the south, I guess it’s “sweet tea.” Anyway, persistence and having an arsenal of spots to investigate is key […]
Correct tide and bait produces productive fishing
Fishing around Anna Maria Island is consistently good for those willing to take on the summer heat. I am noticing a couple of factors fall into play. For one, a swift moving tide is in your favor. In fact, I’ve noticed the stronger the tide the better when fishing the flats for keeper trout and […]
Hot weather requires anglers prepare for success
Fishing around Anna Maria Island remains hot. If you’re planning on spending time on the water, plan accordingly. First, be ready to catch fish. Second, make sure you protect yourself from the sweltering conditions that are in store for you. Stock up on water and ice, and don’t forget everyone needs a hat, sunglasses and […]
Tides produce a bite, storms put a damper on fishing
Although the afternoon outgoing tides look nothing less than stellar for fishing the flats, the pop-up thunderstorms we are experiencing are making it tough to be on the water. Don’t be discouraged — the morning tides are producing a bite. I’m finding limits of mangrove snapper around residential docks and on the deeper grass flats. […]
Fishing 101: Before catching fish, you must have bait
Bait was on my mind. As I left my house to go to the boat at 4:45 a.m., the temperature was already a balmy 80 degrees. And, to be honest, that felt cool compared to what I knew the rest of the day would bring. In the dark, I pulled my truck into the Mainsail […]
Intense heat, humidity and fishing spell out summertime
The humidity is up, the heat is intense and the fishing is following suit. Whether inshore or offshore, there is plenty of productive fishing. Red grouper, snappers and permit are being caught around nearshore and offshore structure. Also in these areas are flounder, goliath grouper and shark. Moving inshore is providing good action, too. Spotted […]
Tropical Storm Cindy puts brief damper on AMI fishing
Despite daily thunderstorms and frequent windy days caused by Tropical Storm Cindy’s northward movement in the Gulf of Mexico, fishing around Anna Maria Island is managing to put smiles on visiting and local anglers alike. Fishing inshore is slightly challenging, although spotted seatrout and catch-and-release snook are producing some decent action. Fishing structure in Tampa […]
Rainy weather slows, fishing returns to normal
Well, after a week-long soaking from thunderstorms, fishing around Anna Maria Island is starting to fall back into the summertime pattern that started a few weeks earlier, in spite of the official start of summer this week, June 21. Fishing the flats for snook and spotted seatrout is proving to be effective. For the snook, […]
Heavy rains, windy conditions put damper on fishing
Well, it looks like it’s back to the drawing board this week for anglers who plan to fish around Anna Maria Island. After numerous days of long-lasting thunderstorms and strong winds, fishing our local waters became challenging. Murky water is making it difficult to fish the flats, as well as along the beaches. On days […]