Chilly start to new year doesn’t cool hot surf fishing action
As Anna Maria Island anglers usher in a chilly start to the new year, they are excited to get on the Gulf Beaches to do some surf fishing.
I use the term surf fishing loosely as our surf fishing differs from many areas. Our waters are calm, clear and fairly shallow. Most of the species we target are within 100 feet of the shorelines, which requires lighter tackle and a minimal amount of gear.
Medium-light spinner gear, some leader material, a pair of pliers and an assortment of colorful jigs completes the preparation. Of course, a fishing license is required and if you’re harvesting fish, you’ll want to carry a small tape measure and be fluent in the current regulations.
Once these items are acquired it’s as simple as getting to the beach and casting jigs until you find the action. For such a casual way of fishing you may be surprised with the results if your timing is right.
Factors like tides, wind and water clarity can play a major role in your success but if you can get all of these factors to correspond in a positive manner, possibilities are endless as to what you may find.
Species like pompano, ladyfish and jack crevalle are a good bet as these fish patrol up and down the shallows along the shoreline, in search of a meal. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are on the prowl and are notorious for striking a jig, resulting in a cut leader from their sharp teeth so bringing an ample amount of jigs is smart.
The addition of a live shrimp to the equation can lure even more species into the mix. Adding a small piece of fresh-cut shrimp to the jig will attract other predators like flounder, black drum sheepshead and redfish, all of which are quite enjoyable when hooked on light spinning gear. And they make for a great table fare, too.
And for anglers who aren’t into jigging, simply casting a live shrimp out on a weighted rig will get the job done, although this method requires some patience as the angler is simply sitting and waiting for a bite.
But no matter the approach, the most appealing thing about beach fishing is its casualness. A minimal amount of planning is involved, which is easy on the angler.
You don’t have to gas the boat, trailer to the boat ramp, load a ton of gear and ice and plan to be out all day. In fact, some beach sessions may last an hour before you decide to head home and if the bite is really good, you just stay out longer.
And when you’re done, you go home, rinse off your tackle and enjoy the rest of your day.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m fishing a variety of areas for a variety of species.
On the calmer days, venturing into the Gulf of Mexico yields sheepshead, mangrove snapper and Key West grunts. Live shrimp on a knocker rig fished around structure are attracting the fish to the hook.
On days when it’s breezy, I’m finding redfish, sheepshead and black drum while fishing canals and docks as well as in the passes.
Drifting over deeper grass flats and casting jigs tipped with shrimp works to get a bite, especially on pompano, trout, ladyfish and bluefish, providing great action on days when they’re really biting.
