Anna Maria Island Fishing Report – November 17, 2015

Anna Maria Island Fishing Report
Captain Aaron Lowman – November 17, 2015
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Island Waters
Sharks, Grouper, Redfish

—This past week the wind has picked up. We have been able to fish a few days, but only in sheltered areas and close to shore. Although red tide is present, it is mainly South in Sarasota bay, so trolling for grouper has stayed productive. Redfish have begun to move to the docks. Sharks and mackerel have been roaming the beaches and large schools can be found following the thread fin herring.

—Live pilchards are still being caught. As the temperature begins to drop they should  disappear, causing a switch to shrimp as the main bait/food source. When trolling for grouper, I use lipped diving plugs and drag them slowly over structure. If you decide to target sharks and mackerel off of the beach, be sure to keep some wire handy as regular monofilament line will be easily cut by their sharp teeth.

—Good luck and have fun out there.