Fishing Report March 11, 2026
Live, artificial baits work for hookups as temps rise
With temperatures on the rise, Anna Maria Island anglers are finally getting on the water to experience the beginning of the springtime bite.
Water temps hovering in the upper 60s to low 70s means inshore species — snook, redfish and trout — are going to be frequenting the grass flats in search of a meal. Water temps are still slightly cool although if we stay this worm on this warm weather trend, we should see in increasing action as the weeks progress. Life shiners as bait work well as water temperatures and greater concentrations of fish move to the flat. Artificials are an option as the fish are hungry and highly motivated to strike. Top water plugs also are a good option if you’re hunting for big trout and even snook. Soft plastics will get the job done for both species and will even trigger a strike from redfish.
And don’t forget about heading down to the beaches to fish. Species like pompano, whiting, black drum and sheepshead can be had while using live shrimp as bait. Small jigs tipped with shrimp are affective plus they give you something to do instead of just standing there waiting for a bite. Walking the beach and vesting jugs can result in quite a bit of action when the beach bite is good. Don’t forget, even if you’re fishing the beach, you need a fishing license. Both residents and non-residents are required to have at least a shoreline license when fishing from the beach.
Finally, moving offshore, red grouper seem to be the best action for those wanting to pull on a big fish and bring home some dinner. Borth live and frozen baits are working in depths of 100 feet or more. Mangrove snapper and lane snapper are being caught as well as some amberjack.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m still catching sheepshead over the reefs and wrecks in the Gulf of Mexico and in Tampa Bay.
Live shrimp on a knocker rig are quickly being devoured by these hungry sheepies and they begin to spawn. Mixed in the sheepies bite are Key West grunts, flounder and a handful of juvenile groupers. Spanish mackerel are present in these areas and are quickly exploding on offerings of live shiners combined with a long shank hook. Fishing along the Gulf beaches also is yielding action. Pompano, whiting and black drum and redfish are being caught while casting live shrimp as bait.
Finally, fishing the flats is proving to get better as water temps are on the rise resulting in catches of spotted seatrout and snook when casting live shiners as bait.
