For the last month or so on Anna Maria Island and Bradenton we have been experiencing some very chilly weather. Cold fronts have packed a punch bringing temperatures down into the 30s and 40s in the mornings and 60s in the afternoons. The key to successful fishing charters is timing our trips to fish in between the cold fronts as they pass through Tampa Bay. In between the cold fronts the winds subside, and the weather warms up a bit making for hungry fish.

The inshore fishing in Tampa Bay and the Manatee River can be very good this time of year depending on the weather conditions. Fishing on the artificial reefs and around Egmont key can be very productive this time of year when the weather allows. Fishing baits like live shrimp close to the structure is my favorite way to fish these areas. Sheepshead, jack crevelle, pompano, black drum, ladyfish, and the occasional redfish and flounder are the most common catches using this method. Fishing the beach when the conditions allow is also productive this time of year for whiting, pompano, and black drum. Fishing with shrimp or sand fleas works well off the beach. The fish are no more than 10-50 feet from the shore. Keep walking and covering water until you get bites. The beaches of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key are both great spots to fish from shore.

When the weather allows us to venture out into the Gulf of America, we are concentrating on fishing structures like the artificial reefs and live hard bottom areas. We are fishing primarily with shrimp and using a one-to-three-ounce weight depending on the current. The decision on what size weight to use is based on being able to get the bait to the bottom and settle on the bottom without bouncing up and down. The most common catches this time of year on our nearshore fishing charters are sheepshead, lane snapper, key west grunt, hogfish, red grouper, gag grouper, and flounder. We also catch the occasional shark or Spanish mackerel which are more common catches on our summertime near shore fishing charters.

If you are looking to book a fishing charter in the Anna Maria Island or Bradenton area, give me a call or text 813-220-8725. I am owner operator and very family friendly charter fishing operation. We fish with fresh caught live bait that I catch before picking up clients for a day of fishing. We use light tackle spinning setups that are very user friendly even for novices. Spring is right around the corner and that is a very busy time around Anna Maria Island so make sure to book your fishing charters in advance!