Anna Maria Island Sportfishing – January

Anna Maria Island Sportfishing
Captain Bill Lowman – January, 2017
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Island Waters
Redfish, Sheepshead, Hogfish

 
—We have had an unusually mild January so far which has allowed us to get offshore to do some bottom fishing for snapper, porgys and hogfish. Red grouper and gag grouper usually make an appearance too. Although grouper, snapper and porgies are great fish to catch and eat, the real star of the show has been hogfish. They are elusive, put up a tremendous fight and are great table fare.

—Inshore, I have been fishing for redfish and sheepshead in the deeper waters around docks and piers. Shrimp or fiddler crabs are a killer sheepshead bait, and when paired with shiners or small pinfish, you should be able to catch quite a few redfish and flounder as well.