Anna Maria Fishing Charters in July
Anna Maria Island Fishing Guides
Captain Aaron Lowman – July 31, 2016
Grouper, Seatrout, Snapper, Flounder
—Snapper fishing in Tampa Bay, and near shore structure around Anna Maria Island, has been hot this week. As we move away from last week’s full moon, snapper fishing has improved during daylight hours. Early and late in the day have been most productive. Live and cut shiners on small circle hooks with a split shot, or knocker style sinker, have been the best rigs. Remember to bounce a jig on the bottom for the bonus fish this month…jumbo flounder in areas where snapper congregate.
—Trout have really showed up well the past couple weeks inside the bay. The little bit of rain we had recently has cooled the water a couple degrees and that, along with all of the small “hatch bait” on the flats, is producing a ton of seatrout. The majority are less than the 15″ minimum keeper size, but there are some big speckled trout mixed in.
—I’m catching some keeper gag grouper inside Tampa Bay this week. Targeting edges, ledges, bridges, and rock piles has been the game plan. Trolling lipped plugs, as well as live bait such as pinfish and grunts, is a technique proven to produce.