Warm weather has finally returned to Anna Maria Island, and with it comes a welcome shift in our inshore fishing patterns. After several weeks of cooler temperatures and deeper-water action, the rising air and water temps have pushed snook and trout back onto the shallow flats and bays. This is the transition period I look forward to every year because it opens up some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities we get on the West Coast of Florida.
As we slide back into our warm-season rhythm, the bite has been strong, steady, and full of variety. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or someone booking their first charter, the shallow-water fishing around Anna Maria is producing exactly what most people hope for this time of year: active fish, clear water, and nonstop opportunity.
Snook Stacking on the Sandbars and Spoil Islands
Snook have wasted no time sliding back into their spring and summer haunts. With warmer daytime highs and calm mornings, the fish are spreading out along sandbars, docks, creek mouths, and the edges of grass flats. Many of the snook we’re catching are high-energy and willing to eat just about anything presented naturally and quietly.
Live shiners remain the top producer, but small swimbaits and soft plastics have also been working well for anglers who enjoy artificial lures. Most trips are producing good numbers of snook, including several slot-sized fish mixed in with the typical 20- to 26-inchers. The key right now is tide movement. When the water is pushing, the fish are aggressively feeding.
Speckled Trout in Great Numbers
Trout fishing has been equally consistent. The grass flats in 3 to 5 feet of water are holding solid schools of fish, and we’re seeing everything from 15-inch eaters to some beautiful upper-slot trout. The combination of warming water and bait returning to the bay has these fish feeding heavily in the mornings.
Free-lined shiners, popping cork rigs, and small paddle tails have all been producing. On calmer days, when the water gets especially clear, a subtle presentation has been the difference between a handful of trout and a full box. We’ve also had some mixed-bag action with ladyfish, jack crevalle, and Spanish mackerel working the same areas as the trout.
Perfect Conditions for Shallow-Water Action
The biggest advantage right now is the weather. As long as temperatures stay on the warm side, the shallow bays from Anna Maria to Terra Ceia will continue to produce fun, visual fishing. If you enjoy casting to cruising fish, watching wakes push across the flats, or seeing trout strike near the surface, these are the conditions you want.
Book a Charter While the Bite Is Hot
This warm stretch has kick-started the kind of inshore fishing people come to Anna Maria Island for. If you’re looking for a great day on the water catching snook and trout on light tackle, now is one of the best windows of the year.
You can learn more or book your next trip at captain-nate.com.