March 2017 Monthly Fishing Report

Posted by Bill Lowman on Mar 31, 2017 in March | 0 comments

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.

Nice Mangrove Snapper

First kingfish of the season

Anna Maria Island Sportfishing – February

Posted by Bill Lowman on Feb 20, 2017 in February | 0 comments

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.