March 2017 Monthly Fishing Report
Anna Maria Island Fishing in March
March 31, 2017
Hogfish, Sheepshead, Snapper, Mackerel, Pompano, Permit
—Fishing around Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay this March has been fun. We have been fishing as far from shore as the wind allowed us to go. On calmer days, I have been taking my 26 foot SeaCat offshore 5 to 10 miles to bottom fish for hogfish, porgies, sheepshead, snapper, kingfish and mackerel. When the weather kept us closer to shore, the target species’ have included sheepshead, snapper, pompano and permit. All month, live shrimp have been our primary bait. As the water warmed, shiners began to appear locally and we used them as well.
Read MoreAnna Maria Island Spring Kingfish
Spring Has Sprung!
March 12, 2017
King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel
—Around Tampa Bay and Anna Maria Island, fishermen usually relate the arrival of spring with two events: shiners in the grass flats and skyrocketing king mackerel. Well, shiners are in the grass and we caught our first kingfish of the season yesterday. I guess it’s springtime!
—I have been fishing around 10 miles offshore on most of the charter fishing trips lately, using live shrimp and other frozen baits. Snapper and hogfish have been the main targets. Yesterday, in addition to live shrimp, the live well was also filled with shiners, in hopes that we could find our first kingfish of the season.
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.
Read MoreAnna Maria Island Sportfishing – February
Anna Maria Island Fishing Guide
Captain Bill Lowman – February, 2017
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Island Waters
Permit, Pompano, Sheepshead
—Now that we have had a few more cold fronts roll through the area, the big sheepshead have moved into the near shore and Tampa Bay waters. Look for them at most artificial reefs and other submerged structure. Most days, a shrimp will work just fine as bait. Small crabs also work great.
Read MoreAnna 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.