Rainy weather stops, fishing action returns to normal
Well, after a week-long soaking of rain and thunderstorms, fishing around Anna Maria Island is finally starting to fall back into it’s summertime pattern.
Fishing the flats for catch-and-release snook and spotted seatrout is proving to be effective. For the snook, mangrove shorelines where good tidal flow exists is producing decent numbers of fish. As for the trout, deeper grass flats during early morning outgoing tides seems to be the ticket. Mixed in with the trout are ladyfish, jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel — a nice addition to the bite.
Fishing rock piles, reefs and wrecks is resulting in some tasty species of fish, including mangrove snapper, flounder, permit and cobia. Other species being found in these areas include barracuda, goliath grouper, sharks and bonito.
On my charters with Southernaire we are reef fishing. Mangrove snapper are making a decent showing although you still have to work a little at it to achieve limits. Flounder are in the mix and are ranging 15-20 inches. Lastly, cobia are taking the hook. Catching and landing these large fish on “snapper tackle” requires some still and a little luck. Cobia up to 38 inches are coming to the boat this past week.
On the flats, I’m finding the spotted seatrout accommodating. Free-lined live shiners cast over flats with depths of 6-8 feet are producing trout 15-20 inches. Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish are in the mix.
