Warmer temps provide endless opportunities for inshore, nearshore offshore hookups

With water temperatures back in the 70s, Anna Maria Island anglers are finding endless opportunities for hookups provided there are options to fish inshore nearshore and offshore. 

While fishing inshore, snook and redfish are being found on the flats, enjoying the warmer water temps and the abundance of bait fish. Casting live shiners among mangrove shorelines, oyster bars and even in the passes yields hook up with snook and reds in the same spots. 

Spotted seatrout are enjoying the warmer water temps as they lurk in deeper grass flats, especially where glass minnows are present. The trout will take a live bait such as shiner or shrimp although casting artificials like soft plastics or top water plugs can be effective. 

Black drum and sheepshead numbers are growing as we finish November and move into December. Offerings of live shrimp around docks, bridges and piers should yield good odds of catching either one of these fish. 

And don’t forget migratory fish like mackerel, jacks and ladyfish can be found over some of the artificial reefs in Tampa Bay as well as in the passes of Bean Point and Longboat Key.

Nearshore possibilities are becoming greater, especially in depths of 40-60 feet. Hard bottom areas are a great place to soak a live shrimp on the bottom. Species like mangrove snapper, lane snapper, hogfish, porgies and plenty of Key West grunts will keep most anglers busy for hours as long as they don’t run out of shrimp for bait. This bite is fish fry material all the way. 

Moving out to deeper waters, red grouper are being found in depths around 100 feet. There’s gags out there too, but they’re catch-and-release right now. 

A variety of snappers are available, including mangrove, yellowtail and lane. There’s plenty of red snapper too but check your season, so you know when they’re open and when they’re not. 

Lastly, kingfish are being found in both nearshore and offshore waters in depth starting at 60 feet.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m finding action both inshore and nearshore. Fishing inshore yields catches of snook, redfish and trout, depending on tides and temperature. 

Snook and redfish are being found on mangrove shorelines as well as around rocks and docks. 

Spotted seatrout are around and are being caught over deep grass flats with a few stragglers being found along the Gulf beaches. 

Also along the Gulf beaches are a variety of other species, including sheepshead, black drum, flounder, mackerel, and jack crevalle. Fishing around structure, such as inshore ledges and artificial reefs yields the best action. 

Moving into the Gulf of Mexico in depths of 40-50 feet, hogfish are being caught in addition to a mix of snappers and grunts.