Anna Maria Island, February 11 Fishing Report
Hello from Anna Maria Island. It seemed like winter would never come back around Christmas time when temperatures were 80 and above, but at last it has arrived. Now cold to us around here is air temps in the low 60s like it has been the last few days. To me it's really refreshing, I love the cool weather, as a fishing guide the heat and blazing sun can become tiresome and I will get plenty of that over the next several months.
I like fishing on these cold fronts, especially when the core water temp stays below 63. It concentrates the fish, making them easy to locate in large numbers and there is no guess work to what they will be eating. Shrimp is their first choose when the water gets cold; they are slower moving and easy for the fish to ambush. The inshore action has been very good. I've had some of the best days on Trout this past couple of weeks that I've had in many months. We are catching all kinds of keepers in the 16 to 20 inch class, along with a few real nice ones up to 24 inches. Many days we have been catching 50 or more and at least half of them nice solid keepers. Along with Trout we have also been catching Redfish, Black Drum, Sheepshead, Flounder, and Pompano and yes even a few Snook. As a matter of fact a couple days ago we were catching Trout as fast you can reel them in when we hooked and lost a solid 38 to 40 inch Snook. The very next cast was a nice 29 inch Snook which we landed. Today on my morning trip we actually landed the 30 inch Snook, in the picture, he was mixed in with some big Trout and nice Black Drum just caught moments before. That is what I love about winter time; the fish are all mixed together in the same location and they all want a shrimp, so you never know what is going to bite next.
Looking at the 10 day forecast it looks like our weather conditions are going to be similar to what they have been lately so the fishing should remain similar. This is good because it gives us a mixed verity of species to target. As far as offshore fishing, I don't have much to say about it because I have spent all my days inshore lately. There is some bottom fishing to be had offshore right now but most of the better stuff is 20 miles plus out.
Well I hope you have enjoyed my Anna Maria Island Fishing Report located here on the south tip of Tampa Bay. My spring schedule is filling quickly as is our summer Tarpon trips. Remember, Mid February through March is my favorite time to fish for Snook inshore. April is my favorite offshore month, although Snook and Redfish are killer at that time as well. May 1st through the middle of July will be mostly Tarpon fishing for me. So if you would like a trip let me know as soon as you have your dates in mind.
Have a great time on the water.
Capt. Matt 941-447-9888
www.captainmatt.com
www.tarponfish.com
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