Anna Maria Island Fishing Report March 25, 2026
Springtime fishing heats up after recent cold front
The last cold front of the season should be in the rearview mirror.
The recent cold front did all but shut down the bite for most anglers due to a drastic drop in water temperatures and strong northeast winds causing rough conditions. But now that it has passed, it’s time to get out on the flats and get to work, or play.
Snook are staging on the flats as they await bait schools so they can pack on the pounds lost over the winter.
Spotted seatrout are following suit as they are being found on the deeper grass flats near the passes and in Sarasota Bay. Larger trout are being found in shallow areas where they compete with snook and redfish for a meal. Casting live shiners as bait works well to target these species although using soft plastics over the deeper flats is proving effective when targeting the trout. Redfish are being caught frequently and casting shiners or shrimp around deep-water docks is attracting fish of all sizes.
Fishing mangrove shorelines, especially where oyster bars exist, works to find the reds.
Along the beaches and in Tampa Bay, schools of Spanish mackerel are popping up. Look for the bait schools and you’ll find the macks.
Fishing around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge fishing piers is a good bet as bait schools are very thick.
While fishing structure in the Gulf for mackerel, don’t forget to have a heavy rod ready for cobia. Cobia should be frequenting the nearshore reefs and wrecks.
You may want to bring some live shrimp because there are still a few sheepshead to be had around the reefs. Mangrove snapper and Key West grunts also can be found in these areas.
On my Just Reel charters, I’ve got to admit that fishing during the last cold front was a reality check although with rising temperatures and less wind, springtime fishing is back on the upward swing.
Flats fishing for snook is going well along mangrove shorelines from Southern Tampa Bay south to Sarasota Bay. I’m also seeing quite a few redfish in the mix, especially where oyster bars exist.
Targeting spotted seatrout in Sarasota Bay is proving to be good when waters are clear and calm. Larger examples are being caught in the shallow flats while smaller trout are in good numbers over the deep flats. I’m also seeing ladyfish mixed in over the deep flats.
On the beaches and in the passes, casting shrimp-tipped jigs yields a few pompano although I am not yet seeing any rallies.
