Spring is here and the Fishing is great!
Capt. Taylor Cowieson
February 27, 2024
Bradenton - Saltwater Fishing Report
We are slowly starting to enter in our spring fishing patterns here in Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. On our inshore fishing charters we are seeing more hungry snook, seatrout, and redfish coming out of their winter haunts in search of food so they can start to reproduce again. The next few months we will be targeting the snook, trout, and redfish in the waters of Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay but there will also be a chance of encoutering Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jack crevelle, mangrove snapper, bluefish and more. Since we had somewhat of a cooler winter the spring time fishing should be very good as the bait moves back in and fish start to gorge themselves. Right now the sheepshead spawn is in full swing and they are around most of the artificial reefs and structures in Tampa Bay like the Skyway Bridge. These fish will be a good target on our inshore fishing charters for the next few weeks to a month as the spawn comes to an end.
Near shore in the Gulf of Mexico the water temp is in the mid 60s and is starting to warm as the days get longer. We are seeing more and more bait schools showing up as it gets warmer. When the weather allows for us to get out there lately we are bottom fishing for mangroves snapper, key west grunts, sheepshead, and the occasional hogfish or black sea bass. We also catch the occasional gag that is out of season but will provide for a great battle on light tackle. The next month or so is prime time to get out when the weather allows to bottom fish for these tasty fish. Once the water temperature starts to consistently be in the low 70s in the Gulf of Mexico we will see a lot more bait schools and the king mackerel, bonita, sharks, and Spanish mackerel will be here to eat and then eventually keep moving north. When the king mackerel show up they are very aggressive and give a great fight on light tackle. These are one of our favorite fish to catch on our fishing charters in the spring.
If you are looking for a fishing charter in the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, or Sarasota area give me a call or text 813-220-8725. You can also email me at [email protected]. This is a great activity for when you are in town for spring break! We are very kid friendly! Now is a great time to go fishing!!
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