Fishing action hot prior to cold front
Fishing prior to the cold fronts is producing excellent action for Anna Maria Island anglers.
Fishing the flats is proving to be good for redfish, spotted seatrout and catch-and-release snook.
Inshore fishing around docks and shallow water structure is also providing action on sheepshead, snapper and gag grouper.
Those willing to venture into the Gulf of Mexico are being rewarded with a variety including migratory species — blackfin tuna, kingfish, amberjack and bonito. Bottom fishing while offshore is producing red grouper, mangrove snapper, hogfish, flounder and Key West grunts.
On my own trips with Southernaire, I’m finding great action offshore within 9 miles. During the calmer days when the seas are smooth, I’m fishing ledges and hard bottom areas. By using live shrimp as bait, my clients are reeling up gag and red grouper, hogfish, lane and mangrove snapper as well as triggerfish and Key West grunts.
While fishing the flats with live shiners, I’m finding the catch-and-release snook fishing quite accommodating. Snook up to 30 inches are taking the hook with most falling between 22-26 inches. Spotted seatrout and bluefish also are being caught on the flats — both in abundance.
