Keep an eye on the sky, radar to avoid frequent popup storms
With “pop up” storms becoming more frequent, Anna Maria Island anglers are keeping a watchful eye on the horizon as they spend their days on the water.
Being vigilant and caution as these storms is wise as many can contain sudden strong wind gusts and lightning which cause a beautiful day on the water to turn into a dangerous day in a matter of minutes.
Monitoring radar can be helpful if storms are looming in the distance, but in many instances these “pop up” storms may not register soon enough which doesn’t leave much time for you to react, so it’s always best to play it safe by retreating to safer areas even if that means heading to the dock.
In many instances, the storms we experience in our area can be small, consolidated storms making it possible to dodge them by heading away from them although it’s always best to seek shelter when lightning is occurring. And with strong winds being involved, it is smart to stay clear as wind and waves can overcome small crafts quickly resulting in a dangerous situation. Always check wind and weather forecasts prior to getting out on the water in any capacity, especially if you plan on being in remote areas where it may take a while to find a safe spot to ride out a storm. And if you boat frequently, you’ve probably been caught in a storm or two and know that it’s not the most enjoyable experience which makes planning your day a crucial part of getting out on the water.
As far as fishing goes, mangrove snapper are the highlight of the inshore and nearshore waters. These snapper have infested local waters inhabiting every kind of structure they can find including reefs, wrecks, rock piles, ledges, docks, piers and bridges.
Using small live shiners or live shrimp as bait will work to lure the feisty snapper to the hook. Mangrove snapper have a reputation of being spooky, so light fluorocarbon leaders and small hooks are imperative to finding success.
Remember, in state waters mangrove snapper must be at least 10 inches long with a limit of 5 fish per day per angler. And, although these smaller snappers can put up quite a fight on light tackle, they are popular due to their presence on the plate. Whether grilled, blackened or fried these snapper rank as one of the favorites for local and visiting anglers.
On my own Just Reel charters, I’m finding plenty of action on mangrove snapper.
Fishing structure such as reefs, ledges or rock piles is leading to limits of these tasty fish and usually in short order as they are quite abundant as of this week. Using small shiners or “hatch bait” is yielding the best results as these bite-sized baits are quickly devoured by hungry snapper. Targeting spotted seatrout on deeper flats is providing action after the snapper bite is over. Many trout being caught are falling on the lesser-end of the slot in the 15- to 16-inch range, although lucky anglers are finding some larger examples mixed in.
Lastly, targeting catch-and-release snook along the mangroves is yielding action and as a bonus, I’m typically seeing a few redfish mixed in with the bite.
