Anna Maria Island Fishing Charters with Reel Experience Fishing Charters
The weather’s hot and the fish are loving it. If you’re cruising for Anna Maria, Florida, fishing charters this time of year, then you’re in luck. We’re seeing a great variety right now, both inshore and nearshore.
And we even have ways to beat the heat and keep you comfortable while you’re reeling them in!
Here’s my latest Anna Maria fishing forecast for July and August 2024—including what we’re catching and where.
Mangrove Snapper
July continues the mangrove snapper bite! Last month they were just starting to invade the waters around Anna Maria Island, making Sarasota Bay fishing super active and fun.
Now that the “grovers” have settled into their summer home, we know where and when we can count on finding them.
On top of that, the bait is very small this time of year, so it’s perfect for snapper fishing. I always supply my clients with fresh-caught live bait that comes right from the same place the fish are looking for their meals, so they never see us coming.
If you want to know more about these beautiful—and delicious!—mangrove snappers, just check out my previous blog. Suffice it to say, they’re reliable, they put up a big fight and an even better dinner option.
Snook
Snook are a headline-grabbing fish in these waters, not least because they’re a hard-fighting sport fish, and they can get big. So even the most experienced anglers love the sport and challenge of actually landing a snook. (They’re also delicious, and it’s illegal to sell them. However, they’re out of season right now to protect the spawn, so it’s strictly catch-and-release only through the end of August.)
But if you have your heart set on snook, you should know that the hot temperatures can shut down the bite quickly. Still, overcast, choppy days can give us a good chance of an epic snook adventure.
Blacktip Sharks and Hammerheads
Who doesn’t want to fish for sharks? They’re beautiful, distinct, ferocious, ancient, and strong. And on top of all of that, they put on a great show, and they make you earn your photo op.
This time of year, we are doing some shark fishing around Egmont Key, located between northern AMI and southern St. Petersburg, right where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico.
There, we target blacktip sharks and hammerheads. These are both hard-fighting fish—after all, they are apex predators!—but blacktips especially are famous for jumping and twisting in the air while they fight.
Shark fishing is always a giddy experience for everyone on the boat. So if you want to impress someone or just get your adrenaline going, shark fishing might just be the way to do it.
Staying Cool While Summer Fishing, Anna Maria Island, Florida
Yes, it’s hot out there. But keep in mind that being out on a fishing charter in the wind and the water is a lot more comfortable than being outside on land. (It’s also a lot more fun.)
On top of that, we generally start our summer AMI fishing trips earlier in the morning to get a jump on the heat.
For afternoon bookings, I sometimes take clients to fish around the Skyway, where the big bridge provides us some shade (not to mention an iconic backdrop and a great fish habitat).
And on top of that, of course I recommend staying hydrated (I always bring ice and water) and wearing sunscreen. Brimmed hats are also a great way to protect your head and keep your eyes comfortable from the glare.
And with all that in mind, let’s go fishing! Book your summertime Reel Experience Fishing Charter today, and I’ll see you on the boat!
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