January : 2011)The Winter redfish bite has been exceptional this season. On my recent charters ,clients have been catching on average 30 redfish per trip with plenty of slot sized fish mixed in. Live shrimp rigged on a 2/0 circle hook with 30lb fluorocarbon leader and pegged with a #5 split shot will entice the redfish to chew. In addition to redfish , sheephead and black drum will also "come to the party". A 3 degree difference in the water temperature can make all the difference between exciting action and no bites.I am fishing the deep water docks from the Manatee River to Longboat Key to find the fish.
Speckled trout are biting in their winter time haunts . Look for clean moving water over deep grass for some of these fine tasting fish. Try using the popping cork rigged with a jig and a Berkley Gulp to draw strikes .
2010)This January has been one of the coldest in a long time . The Tamp Bay area fish populations has taken a hit with the unusually cold weather .All is not lost as the Redfish, Sheephead, Black Drum and Spekled trout are biting. We got 12 redfish and 2 black drum on my last fishing trip . 2009)This Winter the fishing has been excellent with many varieties of fish landed. Redfish are thick around docks with some 30" fish being landed. The Sheephead bite has been exceptional with many fish landed over 5lbs. I had to cull fish less than 4lbs on a charter due to all the 5lb and 7lb fish being landed. Speckled trout action has bee exciting fishing over the deep grass of Anna Maria Sound . 2008)Wintertime fishing is the name of the game here in Anna Maria . We are fishing docks and deep-water catching Redfish , Sheep head ,and Mangrove Snapper .Trout are in the deep grass. Some of the Reds are TOO BIG to KEEP !!! Capt Mark .
A Long Boat Key Redfish
A Big December Sheep Head
February: 2011)Fishing out of Anna Maria Island on my 23ft Hydra sport Baybolt this past week ,my charters had some of the best action of the year landing redfish on almost every cast.The redfish were chewing hard on live shrimp .One client from Canada went thru 6 dozen shrimp in a 4 hour period landing a mix of redfish , speckled trout , sheephead, black drum, and ladyfish. Fish the deepwater docks where the pilings have a lot of oyster build up and barnacles. All the redfish that are being caught this Winter bodes well for a excellent Spring time redfish bite.
Looking forward the tides will be good for the week as the full moon approaches .Moving water is key to angling success,and the moon phase is a catalyst for tidal movement .Try and match the solunar periods for fish catching optimization.
2010-Even with the Ultra cold we have had this month, the fishing has been fantastic. Redfish have been chewing hard . Multiple sizes from 16" to 32"have been landed. Sheephead and Speckled trout have made a showing but are a month behind due to the cold weather. 2009)It has been a cold and windy month around Anna Maria with the Winter Pattern in full effect. Shrimp are working just fine with some very nice catches of Redfish(6to12lbs) and some HUGE Sheephead(2to7lbs.) being landed.No shiners yet.
2008)Winter time pattern around Anna Maria Island is happening with lots of Trout,Redfish, Sheep head, and Snapper being caught.I have started to net shiners .This bodes well for a great Spring.
A Nice Spring Time Snook
March:
2011With the moon phase moving from new toward full , the sheephead bite will peak in the next week providing for some unbelievable fish catching opportunities. On my recent charters we have been culling and releasing sheephead under the 3lb mark. Sheephead weighing 6lbs have been landed with regularity . Fresh shrimp rigged with a 2/0 hook and enough weight to get it to the bottom have resulted in some of the season's best action. Speckled trout have made a good showing over the grass flats of Anna Maria sound with the popping cork and live shrimp combo worked aggressively making the "chug" sound. A jig rigged with a a soft plastic will also work with the popping cork combo.
The pilchards,greenbacks,are slowly making their way into Tampa Bay and on the flats . After the cold front blows thru and the warm up begins, the bait should show up in force around their spring time spots. Spanish mackerel are still around with increasing numbers and are active on the drop offs near the flats . Kingfish and cobia will soon make an appearance on the near shore reefs They will follow the bait schools up our coast .
2010-This year has seen record cold here on Anna Maria and thus has extended the Winter pattern into the March time frame. Redfish under docks are hitting strrong with many big ones landed. Live Shrimp is the bait of choice for these fish. Spekled trout have been fair. Sheephead have been biting like crazy with many HUGE Sheephead being landed. I have been throwing the 4lbres back as I catch bigger ones.
2009-Springtime is coming on strong with Snook coming alive and Trout making a good showing.The 1st Kingfish have shown up off the Beach (3/23) .Mackeral are also on the deep grass. Sheephead are still biting on shrimp . Sharks are cruising the edges so it is almost time to target them!
2008. The Springtime here on Anna Maria Island is happening with many varieties of fish caught. Some very nice sized Trout have been landed .Snook are moving out of their Winter time spots. King Fish have moved on the Beach .
