Anna Maria Island Fishing Report – Summer 2019

—So far, July 2019 has paid off big for fishing charters aboard my 24′ Carolina Skiff. We are having fun charter fishing the waters around Anna Maria Island, Sarasota Bay and the Manatee River in Bradenton. The weather has been hot and muggy, as expected this time of year, but the inshore bite has been equally hot! My fishing excursion clients have been finding continual, exciting backwater action with snook, seatrout, redfish. We have also been able to zero-in on spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper and gag grouper in and around Tampa Bay. We are locating the spanish mackeral, snapper and gag grouper over inshore structure, such as wrecks, rock, even bridge pilings.

Big snook…Big smile!!

Summer Permit Fishing – July 2019

—The dog days of summer are upon us here on sunny Anna Maria Island.

It’s smoking hot by mid-day, which somewhat limits fishing options later in the day. One great option is permit fishing on many of our near shore wrecks and reefs off of the Anna Maria Island coast. Many of these structures are located less than 9 miles off of our gorgeous beaches.

Anna Maria Island Fishing Report-July 2018

—The bite was hot the entire month of July in the waters around Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. Fishing action was the typical “heat of the summer” fishing frenzy, both inshore and near shore.

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.

July Fishing Around Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide
Captain Aaron Lowman – July 21, 2016
Spotted Seatrout and Mangrove Snapper

—Trout fishing around the backwaters of Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay this week has been very productive. I usually look for grassflats with signs of bait around, like a flickering surface or diving birds. Grassy areas like this have been producing tons of fish with plenty of keepers over 15 inches. Live shiners, free-lined on a matching size circle hook, help with catch and release.

—Snapper fishing is hot inside Tampa Bay near submerged structure with current. Hang a chum bag around a reef, bridge, or even docks to draw snappers out of hiding. Live shiners, or chunks of shiners, drifted back in the current on light line is one of the best ways to catch these wary fish in the heat of the summer.