Fall fishing is here

Capt. Taylor Cowieson
September 9, 2024
Bradenton - Saltwater Fishing Report

The mornings the last week or so have been a little cooler as the days get shorter and we get closer to fall here in Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. The fishing in Tampa bay has been great and seems to get better by the day as we get into fall and the water temperatures cool. The official first day of fall this year is September 22nd. Guests on our fishing charters lately have been experiencing good action with redfish, seatrout, and snook. This is the best time of year to target these fish and have the chance at catching an "inshore slam" which is landing all three species in the same day. All of these fish provide great table fare and all are in season which is also great about this time of year. The gag grouper season is open as well for the next 6 days being a very short fifteen day season this year.
The inshore fishing in September and October can be some of the best of the year. The water is starting to cool and the days are getting shorter. The redfish get into spawning schools the next few months and roam the Tampa Bay grass flats in search of food. Snook are beginning to return to the grass flats at the mouth of the Manatee River after being out on the beaches of Anna Maria Island spawning during the summer. There is plenty of bait around on the beaches and around the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers and the Spanish Mackerel and jack crevelle are gorging themselves on it making for great action for our guests aboard our fishing charters. If you are up for the challenge, the inshore gag grouper is one of the hardest fighting fish that Tampa Bay has to offer and also very tasty if you are lucky enough to land a legal sized 24+ inch fish. The season for gag grouper is very short this year only the first two weeks of September. They are still a fun fish to catch and release though as the water cools into the winter and these fish become very aggressive in water less than fifteen feet deep throughout the bay. There is
There is a lot of options to fish for the next few months and a great time to be out on the water in Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. This is the off season so there is little boat traffic and little traffic to get out to the beach! If you are looking to book a fishing charter or have questions, give me a call or text 813-220-8725. I encourage getting kids out fishing and provide a family friendly atmosphere.

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