Tag Archives: Just Reel

Inshore, offshore hookups remain hot despite cooler temperatures With morning air temps in the mid 70s, fishing around Anna Maria Island is getting better as we progress through fall. Water temps are falling in the mid-70s, too, which is really getting a lot of the inshore species — snook, redfish and trout — to start […]

Wait out frequent rainstorms to be rewarded with hookups If you’re planning a backcountry fishing trip in the waters surrounding Anna Maria Island during the month of September, you’ll probably want to bring a raincoat. In fact, some slickers might come in handy, too. With frequent pop-up thunderstorms you never know when you’re going to […]

Afternoon storms flush the catch-and-release trio out of the river and to the hook With numerous days of afternoon thunderstorms, fishing around Anna Maria Island remains consistent for yet another week despite the fresh water draining out of the Manatee River. The fresh water is pushing catch-and-release species —trout redfish and snook — into Anna […]

 Inshore fishing around Anna Maria Island is following its typical summertime pattern.  Early morning fishing on the flats is proving to be worthwhile for catch-and-release species such as snook and redfish.  I think picking your days to fish key in finding success. Try to pick days when there are swift moving tides, corresponding with low […]

 With the recent frequency of rain storms moving from the Gulf of Mexico, anglers are having to keep their eye on the sky while fishing around Anna Maria Island.  Although most incidents are nothing more than brief showers, some are proving to be slightly more powerful. These larger showers can quickly turn into torrential down […]

Amidst the dark cloud over our heads called COVID-19, many visitors and locals are finding the best place to be is out on the water surrounding Anna Maria Island.  What better way to stay away from the crowds than a peaceful morning of fishing in the clear waters of Tampa Bay and beyond? Fishing the […]

 With air temps in the high 80s to low 90s and water temps to match, fishing remains consistent around Anna Maria Island. You just need to time it right.  Try to find good flowing tides during around sunrise to maximize your chances of having a successful fishing trip. With water temps and air temps slightly […]

Summertime fishing around Anna Maria Island continues to provide good action and smiling anglers. In Tampa Bay, fishing structure is proving to be good for a variety of fish. Bottom fishing with live shiners or pinfish is resulting in mangrove snapper and gag grouper. Free-lining live shiners over structure is enticing the snappers, although ravenous […]

Mangrove snapper invade structure, coolers If you enjoy catching mangrove snapper, fishing around Anna Maria Island might be a good choice. These little snapper have invaded every piece of structure in Tampa Bay and its adjacent inshore waters. Fishing reefs, wrecks, rock pile, bridges, piers and even some grass flats is yielding catches of these […]

Mangrove snapper, other species taking the hook despite the heat Fishing around Anna Maria Island is proving to be quite good for mangrove snapper.  With the arrival of the hatch bait, the mangrove snapper are moving into our local waters in respectable numbers. Any area where structure exists — a pier, bridges, sea wall, wreck […]