Temps drop, migratory species move into local waters

With water temps dropping into the mid to upper 70s, Anna Maria Island anglers are anticipating getting out on the water to target migratory species such as Spanish mackerel, kingfish and bonita. 

As the water temps reach the 75 degree mark we should start seeing appearances of these species as they head south following the baits schools. Targeting these fish will require additions to your normal terminal tackle of fluorocarbon leaders and hooks as all of these species have plenty of razor-sharp teeth. 

Start carrying some light copper wire and some long shank hooks if you want to have success targeting these fish, especially the macks and kingfish. 

And yes, water clarity can play a role in this so try bringing some light wire for the clearer conditions as well as some heavier wire when the water clarity is cloudy. And don’t forget these migratory fish attract large predators. Blacktip, spinner and hammerhead sharks will be in close vicinity to the schools of macks, bonito, and kingfish so be prepared to have a few of your catches bitten in half. 

A great way to be prepared is to have a heavy spinning rod rigged and ready with some thick copper wire and a 8/0 circle hook so you can put out a chunk bait if you desire to hook into a large shark. 

The black tips and spinners may be 4-5 feet which is quite manageable on heavy gear but if you encounter a hammerhead they can be considerably large so pack some stamina and give yourself plenty of time as the battle may ensue for quite a while. Don’t forget to release sharks with care as they are an integral part of the food chain acting as stewards to thin out the wounded or weaker examples of other fish in the water.