Cooler weather causes extended springtime bite
Anna Maria Island anglers have be anxiously awaiting the month of May. Cooler than normal temperatures are keeping the springtime bite extended longer than normal.
Fishing nearshore structure is proving to be the best bite. Migratory fish such as kingfish, bonita and Spanish mackerel are available.
With waters hovering in the mid- to upper 70s, these high speed predators are busy corralling schools of bait fish around the wrecks, reefs and hard bottom areas.
Free-lining baits such as shiners, threadfin herring, and small blue runners are quickly being slashed by the sharp teeth of the streamlined predators.
If you’re looking for table fare, don’t hesitate to try some bottom fishing. Species such as mangrove, snapper flounder, and red grouper are available. The snapper and flounder are being found in depths as shallow as 30 feet. The red grouper can be found in depths of 50 feet or more.
For those who prefer the inshore fishing, spotted seatrout are the most abundant. Fishing deep grass flats during incoming tides are producing some excellent action on these fish. And in many occasions, there’s usually a mix of other species lurking in the same areas to add some variety to the bite. Ladyfish, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel and bluefish can also be caught.
You’ll know these fish are present when you are starting to get cut off frequently. Try switching to a long shank hook to prevent losing fish.
Finally, as we approach May, it’s probably time to start thinking of dusting off your tarpon gear. I’m hearing rumors of fish in the passes and around Egmont key.
On my Just Reel Charters I’m fishing both the nearshore and the inshore bites.
For the nearshore stuff I’m finding Spanish mackerel and a few kingfish as well as numerous mangrove snapper and flounder and Key West grunts and juvenile groupers are in the mix as well as lane snapper.
Fishing structure along the beaches is providing action, especially for large spotted seatrout. We are having to release many catches in these areas as they are over the slot of 19 inches.
Black tip sharks are abundant along the beaches and we are hooking into examples in the 6-foot range using fresh cut pieces of mackerel for bait.
When we move to the flats, snook being caught although the large numbers of fish have yet to be seen.
