Tampa Bay Sheepshead Fishing
Anna Maria Island Sportfishing
March 9, 2017
Sheepshead
—The bright full moon this week has changed offshore fishing a little. The mangrove snapper and hogfish bite has slowed down. These reef predators seem to prowl the reefs at night when the moon is bright. Although we have been able to catch some snapper and hogfish, they have been finicky and not very aggressive during the daylight hours.
—HOWEVER…not so for the sheepshead. These striped bandits have been spawning in Tampa Bay and the rocky structure and reefs around Anna Maria Island. They are in an eating mood and don’t seem to be able to say “no” to any shrimp or small crab that’s thrown their way. We have been catching them in depths from 45 feet to 10 feet this week. In the shallower waters, the terminal tackle rigging has been very simple. I’ve been using a 1/4 ounce jig head with a live shrimp, attached to some 30 lb test leader. Catch them while it’s hot! The sheepshead bite will slow down steadily over the next few weeks.