Geno Lynn of Bradenton shows off a 25-inch redfish caught Nov. 2 while on a guided fishing trip with Capt. Danny Stasny of Just Reel Fishing Charters.
Donna McIntosh of Bradenton holds the boat at the dock with her feet while her husband parks the trailer at the Coquina South Boat Ramp, 1465 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. The county ramp reopened Nov. 1, after completion of a $1.81 million redesign and remodel. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Fishing the waters surrounding Anna Maria Island is on an upward swing as we move through fall.
Although temperatures in the mid to upper 80s don’t feel fallish, the fish are definitely on their fall feed.
I’m sure they sense something — like winter around the corner — and that triggers them to feed more frequently to pack on the extra pounds needed before food becomes scarce.
Throughout the inland waters — bays, rivers and estuaries — snook, redfish and spotted seatrout frequently are being caught. Live shiners as bait work wonderfully, although when the fish are feeding heavily, it’s fun to try artificials, such as topwater plugs or soft plastics on a jig head. And, for those who appreciate punishment, fly fishing is an option.
Along with the top inshore trio of snook, redfish and trout, flats fishers can count on encountering a variety of species in depths slightly deeper than the flats. Around structure in Tampa Bay, Spanish mackerel are proving a worthy adversary on medium-spinning gear. Add some jack crevalle and ladyfish to the mix and you can wear out your arms in a hurry.
While you’re over structure, pull out the heavy tackle and try dropping a live hand-sized pinfish to the bottom. Gag grouper are lurking in these areas and these fish have a hard time resisting such an offering.
Moving offshore, migratory species — kingfish, amberjack, blackfin tuna and sailfish — are being caught. Trolling or free-lining baits on the surface is resulting in strikes from any or all of these species.
Bottom fishing is putting “meat in the box.” Gag grouper are the most prevalent, although some red grouper also are being caught. Mangrove snapper and yellowtail snapper are a good bet, too.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing good action on the flats during swift moving tides. Fishing around oyster bars — where a lot of mullet are present — is yielding some snook and redfish. Free-lining live shiners on the edges of the oyster bars among the mullet works best.
On the deeper flats, spotted seatrout are cooperating. Slot-size fish and fish slightly under slot have been the norm on my charters. There’s also some big jacks patrolling the flats and they’re entertaining anglers.
Capt. David White is finding action offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, where anchoring over structure — ledges, rockpiles or wrecks — is yielding mangrove and yellowtail snapper. Live shiners as bait are working well. Chumming is helpful, White adds. Migratory species are present in these areas and free-lining live shiners or pinfish attracts the attention of amberjack, blackfin tuna and kingfish.
Moving inshore, White is finding plenty of action on Spanish mackerel while working along the beaches and in Tampa Bay. Gag grouper are being found where structure exists. As for fishing the flats, White is enjoying putting clients on snook and respectable-sized jack crevalle.
Capt. Jason Stock says he’s impressed with the quality of the gag grouper bite on his fishing trips offshore. Live pinfish or shiners dropped to the bottom on a weighted rig is yielding gags up to 20 pounds. Also in the mix are some juvenile goliath grouper — catch-and-release only but an enjoyable battle on bottom gear. Some large red grouper also are in on the bite.
When the grouper are limited out, Stock is switching to snapper fishing. Mangrove snapper up to 9 pounds are being caught, which should finish you off if the grouper didn’t do the job. On days when Stock is targeting migratory fish, he’s trolling for kingfish, blackfin tuna and, he reports, some lucky anglers may encounter a sailfish.
Capt. Warren Girle is finding mangrove snapper while working structure in the nearshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Live shiners on a knocker rig are enticing snapper in the 15-inch range to come out of their hiding places for a snack.
Spanish mackerel are present around the structure and being caught in abundance when free-lining shiners near the surface of the water.
Moving inshore to the flats of Sarasota Bay, Girle says he’s impressed with the numbers of spotted seatrout being caught. Most fish are in the slot of 15-19 inches.
Mixed in with the trout bite are jack crevalle and ladyfish, which both visiting and local anglers seem to enjoy catching.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says pier fishers using live shrimp for bait are catching black drum and redfish while bottom fishing under the pier deck. Sheepshead and an occasional mangrove snapper are being caught, too.
And, for some lucky anglers, snook still are showing interest in larger baits, such as pinfish or ladyfish.
Anglers opting to use artificials are tying on silver spoons or small jigs in the attempt to catch a mack. And that attempt is paying off. Macks 15-20 inches are occasionally being caught at the pier, with jack crevalle and ladyfish in the mix.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.
Credit: Source link
