Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide – February 25, 2016

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide
Captain Aaron Lowman – February 25, 2016
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Island Waters
Pompano

 
I have FINALLY begun to see pompano show up in Anna Maria Island waters. As water temperatures slowly rise, some much-needed energy is being brought to the whole system.
Fishing with small, brightly colored jigs is one of the most effective ways to catch pompano. We are also catching plenty on a corked live shrimp inside the bay, and around areas of deep grass.
Most “first-timers” can’t belive how hard a 15 inch fish can pull! Pompano is a firm and mild white meat fish, making it particularly popular for the dinner table. Book a trip while it’s on!
 

Anna Maria Island Fishing Charter – February 14, 2016

Anna Maria Island Fishing Charter
Captain Aaron Lowman – February 14, 2016
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Island Waters
Sheepshead, Permit, Snapper, Grouper

 
In between cold snaps this week, clients still found plenty of jumbo sheepshead.
Fishing live baits, such as shrimp around structure was the ticket.
Sheepshead are often underestimated – they can be super cautious, are hard fighters, and taste great.
Permit have made a showing around some of the local beaches and passes this week.
Permit are the larger cousin of the highly-sought pompano.
As with the pompano, permit will agressivly strike small, brightly colored jigs.
This makes jigging for permit a really exciting way to catch these elusive fish.
Hogfish and mangrove snappers have been the highlight offshore a few miles.
Red grouper and throw-back gag grouper have been consistent offshore, as well.
 

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide – January 26, 2016

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide
Captain Aaron Lowman – January 26, 2016
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Island Waters
Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, Redfish

 
This latest cold snap has finally started to push the big sheepshead into the bay. I’ve found them this week between 5 to 20 feet on docks, rock piles, reefs, wrecks, and edges. Live shrimp on a light knocker rig or jig head has been the ticket for hooking the tricky sheepshead. While looking for sheepshead, we are also catching mangrove snapper, flounder, and grouper. Plenty of action and good eats out in the bay this month, book a trip while it’s happening!
 

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide – January 9, 2016

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide
Captain Aaron Lowman – January 9, 2015
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Island Waters
Hog Snapper, Grouper, Pompano

 
—Hope that everybody had a great New Year! Despite the poor weather lately, fishing has been good. Redfish and sheepshead have begun to show around docks and structure. Shrimp or fiddler crabs are a killer sheepshead bait, and when paired with shiners or small pinfish, you should be able to catch quite a few of both species. Pompano are also trickling in, and can be caught near sandy areas using jigs or shrimp.

—Offshore fishing has been productive, and we have been catching red and gag grouper, hog and mangrove snapper, sheepshead, and an occasional cobia or kingfish. Sharks are also still around, and are usually eager to eat a dead bait.