Capt. Scott Greer of Stray Dog Charters out of Cortez Florida has been catching Gag Grouper, Red Grouper along with large Yellowtail snapper when the weather cooperates as the winds have created a rough Gulf of Mexico most days.
Capt. Mark Howard of Sumotime Charters said that fishing around Anna Maria for his charters has been good, with nice catches of trout and redfish. “Redfish and snook have been tight to the mangroves,” he noted, “and chumming with shiners will draw them in.” He’s finding trout “just about everywhere,” and Spanish mackerel are in 8 feet of water “and eating ferociously.”
Capt. Tom Chaya on the Dolphin Dreams in Holmes Beach out of Catchers said snook fishing for him remains the hot ticket. “There are plenty of large snook being caught up the Manatee River and around Terra Ceia,” he said, “and redfish are scattered and hitting on pinfish in Miguel Bay.” He added that he’s finding trout action to be excellent on the good-moving tides on the deep seagrass beds near Rattlesnake Key.
Capt. Zach Zacharias on the Dee-Jay II out of Parrot Cove Marina saidit’s all about the wind. “Above-normal winds coupled with dirty water in the nearshore Gulf have kept the Dee Jay II from plying the Gulf for several weeks,” he lamented. “On the bright side,” Capt. Zach said, “inshore action has been good. A party of three from Wisconsin nailed a good number of above-average trout along with chunky bluefish, mackerel and ladyfish. Broken grassy areas in about 4 feet of water in northern Sarasota Bay produced best.” He added that there was some excitement later in the week when a fisher from Valrico hooked up “with an easily 100-pound-plus tarpon on trout tackle in 5 feet of water. Much to our amazement, he had the big tarpon on for 10-12 jumps before the light line parted.”
Capt. Larry McGuire of Show Me The Fish Charters said he’s found that fishing turned on after the wind calmed. “We are catching lots of gag and red grouper, mangrove and yellowtail snapper, lots of big sharks, Spanish mackerel and kingfish hookups on most trips,” Capt. Larry said. “The kingfish are coming in stronger every day, with our main run probably running weeks or even a month later due to the windy weather. Our best action for kings has been out in 50- to 70-feet of water, using a variety of live baits.” He added that grouper and snapper catches are better at the 100-foot depths.