Change in temps triggers change in bait choice when fishing Anna Maria waters
With the latest cold front setting in bringing the coldest temperature we’ve experienced this year, Anna Maria Island anglers are transitioning into a winter pattern of fishing to find success on the water.
The use of live shrimp as bait is one change that will be occurring as the species we will be targeting prefer eating shrimp rather than shiners when temperatures drop.
Snook, redfish and trout will gladly eat a shrimp as these slow-moving baits are easily approached with minimal effort which in turn helps the fish preserve energy in hopes of staying warm. And then there’s other species such as pompano and sheepshead which just don’t eat shiners, so shrimp is the obvious choice.
The same applies while fishing nearshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Many species we encounter will gladly take a shrimp offering and again some species like hogfish prefer it. You can bet that snappers, grunts, groupers and flounder will also readily take a shrimp. In fact, in many occasions you should have a bite the moment your bait reaches the bottom. And if you don’t you want to move to your next spot as typically the nearshore bite occurs quickly rather than having to wait.
And finally, you may want to experiment with locations while fishing the backwater in the bays and Intracoastal waterway. Many inshore species will be migrating to sheltered areas to find warmer water, which means they may not be out on the open water of the flats or under the mangroves. Fishing residential canals or deeper water with more consistent temperatures may be in your best interest.
On my own Just Reel charters, I’m finding good action while fishing ledges and other structure in the Gulf of Mexico.
Using live shrimp combined with a bottom rig, I’m seeing a variety of species being reeled up including mangrove and yellowtail snapper, hogfish, Key West grunts, lane snapper, porgies and plenty of juvenile groupers. This bite is keeping bent rods as just about every stop as well as giving the opportunity to bring quite a few fish home for dinner.
Moving inshore, the flats fishing is still quite good for snook, redfish and trout, although I feel after this cold front that bite may change. During high tides and the beginnings of the outgoing tides all three species are cooperating and fiercely talking live shiners as bait. All these species are being caught within the slot limits and of course the snook are being returned as they are out of season.
