Anna Maria Island Fall Fishing

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide
Captain Aaron Lowman – September 15, 2016
Redfish, Snook and Trout

—When fishing around Anna Maria Island lately, you can notice that it’s starting to feel a little bit cooler in the mornings. Bait has flooded onto the beaches and Tampa Bay fall fishing is heating up.
—This week has been all about the inshore bite. I’ve been catching bait relatively easily on the beaches, and returning to the bay to fish the morning snook, redfish and trout bite. Snook have been feeding well around mangrove edges, cuts, and oyster bars. The stronger the tidal movement, the better they chew. Lots of frisky chum showered around a likely snook area will get them popping all around you. A live shiner free-lined on a 25# fluorocarbon leader with a 3/0 circle hook does the trick.
— I’ve been using the same rig for redfish and trout. Look for seatrout on grass flats with clear, moving water. Notice the sand holes, and throw towards the edges of the holes.
—Redfish have really stated to make a show this week. I’m finding them bunched up in small schools on mangrove shorelines in as little as 2′ of water,  as well as under docks, and around oyster beds. Remember to be real quiet around these super spooky fish. Pushpole or trolling motor is the only way to get setup within casting range.