Anna Maria Island Fishing Report February 18, 2026
Fishing slowly improves as water temps warm
With water temps on the rise Anna Maria Island anglers are eager to get out on the water to try their luck at some wintertime fishing.
Fishing structure in the Gulf in depths of 30-50 feet yields decent results for anglers using live shrimp as bait.
With water temps hovering in the upper 50s to low 60s, patience is a virtue as many species are slightly slower on the bite than normal.
Species like sheepshead that are less affected by the cold are even slow to bite with a cooler water temps but sometimes an increase of just a few degrees can make a difference between a slow bite and a good bite. So, hang in there.
While targeting sheepies, anglers are also hooking into Key West grunts, flounder, mangrove snapper and some juvenile grouper which makes for quite a variety.
Moving into the backcountry is a slightly different story. Frequency in the bite is leaving a little to be desired as water temps have shut down many of the shallow water species we target. This is especially apparent with the local snook populations as they are still trying to maintain by finding the warmest areas to take refuge from the cold. Targeting linesiders is futile until we have warmer weather as they are not as motivated to eat as they are in surviving the cold water temperatures.
It’s probably best to set your sights on species like redfish and black drum, which, although they too are being affected by the cold, seem to be slightly more tolerant of it than the snook. Casting live shrimp under docks, sea walls and in canals is great way to target the reds and black drum.
Just remember to be patient.
On my own Just Reel charters, I’m seeing decent numbers of sheepshead being reeled up when fishing in the Gulf. Live shrimp as bait combined with a 1/4-ounce knocker rig is getting the job done. In many instances due to the cold water, the sheepshead bite is very subtle. In fact, many anglers don’t know they have a fish until they lift the rod and feel resistance — at which time they start to reel quickly as the rod is bent over double on a big sheepshead. This bite requires skill and a little luck.
In some areas as the sheepies, I’m finding some mangrove snapper, Key West grunts and juvenile gag grouper.
Moving inshore, the bite is slightly more challenging. Casting live shrimp under docks is leading to some catches of redfish and black drum. Both are kind of sluggish on the bite, but at least they are eating. Also, the bite seems to be scattered with no big groups of fish in any one spot which means a lot of moving around and a lot of casting.
