Calm conditions allows anglers to migrate to Gulf for hookups
With the winds finally subsiding, Anna Maria Island anglers are finding themselves venturing into the Gulf of Mexico to take advantage of the calm crystal clear waters. Fishing ledges, reefs and wrecks are good places to start as most species of fish gravitate toward these areas of structure in search of a meal. Migratory species including kingfish, Spanish mackerel, and cobia can be found in these areas. Free-lining live bait such shiners or sardines works well for the macks and kings while pinfish are luring the cobia to the hook.
Bottom fishing is starting to heat up, too.
Mangrove snapper can be found around the artificial reefs and on hard bottom areas in 50 feet of water or less. When fishing these areas be prepared to hook into numerous juvenile grouper as they are abundant in the shallower depths. You may encounter goliath grouper and sharks in the same areas, which will quickly devour the fish you’re reeling up. When this occurs, you might as well move to another spot as these apex predators are determined and will eat every fish you hook.
Moving inshore, spotted seatrout are being found on most grass flats where good tidal movement exists.
Free-lined live shiners work well as bait.
On deeper flats, add a split-shot the rig to get your bait down in the strike zone. Redfish are becoming more apparent as the water temps rise. Finding groups of fish on shallow grass flats should become easier in the weeks to come.
As for snook, casting baits against mangrove shoreline is proving to be effective, although we are still waiting for the mass numbers of fish to show.
Don’t forget to be listening to some Allman Brothers band while you’re out there on the water. The universe has some good southern rock to listen to. If you know you know.
On my Just Reel charters, I am finding myself spending time in the Gulf of Mexico.
My clients are being kept busy on pelagics such as kingfish and Spanish mackerel. These toothy predators are peeling line off the reels before realizing they’ve been tricked into eating a shiner with a longshank hook in it. Most of the Spanish macks are large — measuring 20-24 inches. As for the kingfish, 10-20 pounds are average.
Bottom fishing over hard bottom areas is yielding action. Red grouper and gag grouper are being caught up to 20 inches in length. Although just short of keeper-size, these fish are fun to reel up before being released back to the depths.
Mangrove snapper are being caught and put in the cooler as most are measuring 15-18 inches.
Large bull sharks are present in the areas where the snapper are so reeling them up quickly is imperative. In the same areas I’m seeing flounder up to 18 inches, spotted seatrout are the most consistent with many fish following the slot of 15-19 inches. Just as many are being released as they are over-slot size.
Lastly, I’m finding sporadic snook and redfish action while fishing the shallow flats of Tampa Bay.
