Head north for consistent fishing action
Fishing around Anna Maria Island remains consistent if you head north to fish in Tampa Bay.
Catch-and-release snook and redfish are providing great action for visiting and local anglers. Fishing structure is proving to be good for mangrove snapper, gag grouper, mackerel and jack crevalle. Venturing out to the Gulf of Mexico is hit or miss due to patches of red tide that seem to arrive whenever we have strong winds out of the south or southwest. Luckily, fishing the bays and Manatee River is supplying plenty of inshore action.
On my charters with Southernaire, I’m finding catch-and-release snook action nothing short of exceptional. Most catches are 20-28 inches with a few bigger ones mixed in. On many charters, I’m seeing anywhere from 20-50 snook being reeled up. Mixed in are mangrove snapper or catch-and-release redfish, depending on the spot I’m fishing. Mangrove snapper are being caught on deeper water around structure. Fishing reefs and wrecks is providing limits of these fish for my clients.
