fishing report December 25, 2025
Varying temps requires change in bait for hookups
As Anna Maria Island anglers spend their days on the water instead of Christmas shopping, they are being rewarded with a variety of catches while fishing the inshore waters surrounding the island.
With water temperatures rising and lowering every few days bait options vary depending on the temperature.
On the cooler days during and after the fonts, live shrimp work well to target a variety of fish, including sheepshead, redfish, pompano and trout. Tipping jigs with small pieces of shrimp is a great method to target fish on these cooler days. Just remember to work those jigs slower as cooler water temperatures will slow down the fish as they try to conserve energy to stay warm.
As far as where to cast those shrimp-tipped jigs, you should be concentrating on finding the warmest water around so areas like canals, creek mouths and sheltered shorelines out of the wind is a good bet.
Now, on the warmer days just prior to the fronts when water temps have had a chance to creep back up to normal levels you may try using live shiners as bait which opens the door to do some catch-and-release snook fishing. Water temps in the upper 60s are acceptable for targeting these fish and if it’s warm and the snook are hungry, you may get a couple of great catch-and-release snook sessions in before the next front.
Live shiners as bait is also good for targeting migratory fish like Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and jack crevalle. And typically, the spotted seatrout will respond as well, if you’re in the right areas. Deep grass flats are a great place to start. You may also encounter bluefish in these areas — which, although aren’t big ones like the ones on the east coast — they are still worthy of putting up a good fight on medium spinning gear. Just remember to use caution when removing the hook as bluefish have strong jaws that are loaded with teeth that could easily crunch down on your finger.
Lastly, if any days with light or no winds at all present themselves, don’t hesitate to seize the opportunity to head out into the Gulf. In depths of 30-50 feet of water, plenty of fish are lurking around reefs, wrecks and hard bottom. Live shrimp as bait will work fine as bait when combined with a bottom rig. Key West grunt, porgies, flounder, sheepshead, snappers and hogfish are all susceptible to offerings of live shrimp which can result in quite a fish fry on the good days.
Merry Christmas to all and good fishing.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m spending most day fishing inshore due to windy conditions. Using DOA CAL jigs on a jig head works great when trying to find action. Drifting over grass flats and jigging yields many spotted seatrout as well as a mix of ladyfish and jacks. An occasional pompano is also making a showing although they are random at best.
Switching over to shrimp as bait is adding to the action with catches of redfish, sheepshead, black drum and mangrove snapper. Casting pieces of shrimp on small jig head works best, although using a knocker rig with a quarter ounce of lead works, too.
On warmer days I’m finding catch-and-release snook action while using live shiners as bait. I’m also seeing a few redfish and some large trout mixed in with this bite.
