Warm weather or cold weather, fishing remains hot around Anna Maria Island

Local and visiting anglers are experiencing both end of the spectrum of fishing while venturing out into the waters surrounding Anna Maria Island.

Spring-like conditions — where mild temperatures in the low 80s are prevalent — is providing excellent action on the flats. Snook, trout and redfish are on the feed when warm water temps are present. Fishing offshore is also proving to be good on the warm calm days with kingfish, cobia, mackerel and sharks being caught.

On the other end of the spectrum are the days when air temps never leave the low 60s. With minimal sun, water temps fall, creating a slightly different scenario. In these conditions, sheepshead, black drum and flounder are more apparent. Being more tolerant of the cold than snook or trout, these fish can make a cold windy day on the water quite enjoyable.

On my Just Reel fishing charters, I’m fishing those warm sunny days when snook fishing is proving nothing short of exceptional. Fishing the high stages of the tide around mangrove shorelines and oyster bars is providing rallies of fish with multiple hookups occurring for my clients. Spotted seatrout can be found in these same areas with some fish exceeding 20 inches or more.

Now with sudden cold spells, water temps are dropping, which is resulting in different species being targeted. On cold, windy days, sheepshead are my preferred species to target. Fishing around rocks and docks is providing good action on these tasty, convict-striped porgies. Targeting sheepies is also lending to redfish, flounder and black drum finding their way into the cooler.