Anna Maria Island Fishing August 15, 2024

After the record-breaking rainfall and prolonged effects of  Tropical Storm Debby, Anna Maria Island anglers are sporadically making their way back on the water to find a bite.

With mass volumes of freshwater pouring out of the Manatee River into Anna Maria Sound, you can bet the pattern you were on prior to Debby has probably dramatically changed. 

For most anglers, the day begins with catching bait, and when extreme conditions occur such as tropical storms and hurricanes, finding bait can become a major dilemma. 

The mass schools of bait typically move offshore in these instances, making them tough to find and even tougher to catch. 

Of course, there’s always alternatives such as buying live shrimp or using artificials, but we all know that live bait fishing with shiners is as good as it gets. 

So, let’s be optimistic and say that the process of elimination begins with where to find the fish. Most anglers will probably re-run their last pattern of spots they fished before the blow, which is a logical choice. You always want to go where you caught fish the last time you were out. And, if these spots work, then good for you, but if they don’t, I guess it’s back to the old drawing board. 

This is where the angler’s “know-how” is put to the test. Trying to find fish starting with a blank slate isn’t always easy but with determination and a little luck, you may get some action. 

If you don’t find anything, don’t be discouraged as the fishing and bait should rebound within a couple of weeks and then things will get back to normal and a pattern will be found, resulting in successful days on the water once again. 

And being anglers, we are skilled at being able to adapt to the surroundings and at taking the good with the bad.

On my Just Reel charters I’m finding bait while throwing the cast new many times over the shallow grass flats of Tampa Bay. The consistency of bait is challenging so I’m carrying a variety of baits including shiners, pinfish and mojarras.

As far as the fishing goes, finding a good bite is slightly challenging due to the vast amounts of freshwater present in Anna Maria Sound and throughout the surrounding waters. This being said, redfish are the most consistent bite with some mornings yielding as many as two to the boat.