hogfish Archives - Captain Aaron Lowman

December Tampa Bay/Anna Maria Fishing

—What a beautiful fishing month we had here around Anna Maria Island. December 2018 was one for the books! We finally saw a complete reprieve from the ferocious red tide outbreak of this summer. This combined with a long stretch of great weather, provided some outstanding fishing opportunities in and around Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay.

Anna Maria Island Fishing Report – December 2017

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide
Captain Aaron Lowman – December, 2017
Grouper, Hogfish, Snapper

—What a month here on Anna Maria Island. December of 2017 was one for the books. Near perfect fishing weather most of the month allowed me to escape the confines of Tampa Bay, and plow some of the the nearshore reefs and ledges.

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.

: Good Gag

: Pompano

: Nice Red Grouper

: Big Gag

: Hogfish

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide – December 31, 2015

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide
Captain Aaron Lowman – December 31, 2015
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Island Waters
Hog Snapper

—New year’s eve day gave a break in the wind, and allowed for some more reef fishing off of the beaches. We decided to target hog snapper, as well as mangrove snapper and grouper. The hog snapper are very picky, and require long and light leaders. Small weights and hooks must be used also. They fight hard and taste great!