Water may be brown but fishing is red hot

Local and visiting anglers are getting the opportunity to fish the “sweet water” when fishing the back country waters east of Anna Maria Island. 

With freshwater pouring out of the Manatee River, the emerald green waters we are used to fishing are now dark and mysterious. 

The water — resembling root beer or iced tea — can definitely make it challenging for sight-casting or even just looking for fish. In some areas, the water is so dark it’s pointless to even be up in the tower to look for fish — unless of course, you just need a break from the guests you brought out to fish. 

But, let me tell you, don’t think I’m putting a negative twist on the water being so dark. In fact, the inshore trio — snook, redfish and spotted seatrout — seem to love it. A slight drop in water temperature is also helping the fish to get fired up. You’ll need to have an array of spots in your arsenal but when you find the fish, it’s game time. 

And what else is exciting about the change in water is the addition to other species to be found on the flats. 

One that comes to mind is the longnose gar. 

These prehistoric-looking fish have a long nose lined with teeth from top to bottom and have large thick scales that resemble a coat of armor. We usually don’t see them in salt water, but with such a high mix of freshwater in the vicinity around the mouth of the Manatee River, they are becoming quite common this time of year. I see them daily when fishing the flats around Emerson Preserve and Desoto National Monument.

Juvenile tarpon are also a possibility in the same areas. There’s nothing better than hooking into a 15-20 pound tarpon while trout fishing on the flats. Talk about a thrill. 

And then there’s the usual suspects. Large jack crevalle and ladyfish don’t seem to mind the lower salinity levels. They will quickly grab that bait of an unsuspecting angler forcing them to get with the program in a hurry.

So as you can see, there’s plenty of action to be had during the rainy season in the back country. Don’t let that dark water fool you. The fish are still there and are hungry.

On my Just Reel fishing charters, I’m seeing a mixed bag of snook, redfish and spotted seatrout.

The snook and trout are apparent in the back country. As for the reds, I’m seeing some mixed in while snook fishing. 

For fast-paced action, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish are keeping my clients busy after they’ve had their fill of snook and trout.