Fall is officially here around Anna Maria Island and Bradenton. We are experiencing some very comfortable weather with highs in the low 80s and lows in the mid to low 60s. This has made for great weather for our guests on our fishing charters lately. The fishing has also been great with multiple species of fish landed on almost every fishing charter in October. The bait has been plentiful along the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, and the fish have been feeding heavily in anticipation of the cooler weather ahead for winter.

We have been experiencing great fall fishing lately on our fishing charters with a variety of fish to target this time of year. The bait is plentiful on the beaches and the grass flats of Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay. The fish are feeding often in preparation for colder water temperatures and less bait around as we approach winter conditions the end of December and the first month or two of the new year. Fall is my favorite time of year to be fishing around Anna Maria Island because there seems to be consistently good action on our fishing charters and there is a chance for catching multiple species of fish inshore and near shore.

Inshore the redfish are still very active and a few schools are still around in Sarasota Bay making for great action when they can be located. The snook have mostly left their summer spawning haunts and made their way back to the flats and bays as they anticipate colder weather and water temperatures. There are quite a few slot sized fish around mixed in with the smaller 18-27” fish on the mangrove points and oyster beds in Palma Sola Bay and the mouth of the Manatee River. These snook will eventually push further back in the river and canal systems in the bay to avoid drastic water temperature fluctuations that come with cold fronts. As the water has cooled down from summer temps in the high 80s into the 70s we are seeing more slot and over slot sized spotted seatrout showing up on the grass flats.

Near shore off the beaches of Anna Maria Island and out to about nine miles offshore seems to be teeming in the fall and this year is no exception. The Spanish Mackerel, ladyfish, jack crevelle, and a few different species of sharks are all over the hard bottom patches just a couple hundred yards off the beach making for great action. We look for birds and fish actively feeding and set up near them and live chum them close to the boat. Once the fish get in the chum there is some of the best fishing action we experience in our area with big hits and drag screaming runs. There is also the chance for the king mackerel and cobia to get in the mix when this situation presents itself. On some of the artificial reefs a few miles off the beach we have been seeing more king mackerel when the weather allows for us to get out there. This should continue through the middle of November and maybe even into Thanksgiving week if conditions stay right.

If you are looking for a fishing charter in Bradenton or Anna Maria Island, give me a call or text at 813-220-8725. We fish with live bait caught fresh daily and light tackle spinning reels that make for easy handling and great fun while out fishing. We are very family friendly and encourage kids to come out and make lifelong memories!