Tampa Bay Fishing, Anna Maria July Fishing Report

Anna Maria To Sarasota Fishing Report - 14 Jul 2010

It’s July and things are hot out there, but for the most part so is the fishing. I have had some incredible days out there since the last report. We are still Tarpon fishing. There is not as many fish out there as there was a couple weeks ago. Although I have heard there are a lot of fish south of us, and today I saw a lot of fish heading north on the beach. Maybe our passes will fill up for one more moon cycle, not sure all we can do is hope. General consensus around here was we would be fishing migrating Tarpon till the end of July because of the late start. Who knows, but we have sure enjoyed some great Tarpon fishing this year. Even though they are a little harder to find now we have still had some great days this past week. I think our best was 10plus hooked and even on the slower days 3 or 4. The nice thing is there aren’t a million boats out there spooking them like there is in June. We landed some nice ones this past week over 150 pounds and lost some around 200. I will be fishing all week for Tarpon so I will let you know in the next report if we get another good push of fish.

The Red fishing has been spectacular as well. We have been catching lots of Redfish when I’m not Tarpon fishing. One day we were done by noon and had landed 60; most of them were between 30 and 34 inches. We had plenty of keepers though. Four guys battled Redfish as fast as you could cast bait in the water until their arms fell off. It was really exciting! It’s not that good everyday but we get plenty on each and every trip. We find larger bulls that are good for fighting and smaller ones that are good for eating. We even have been catching a few nice Snook mixed in with the Reds up to 30 inches.

Trout fishing has been ok, not as good as it was early this year. Although there is still plenty to catch out there they seem to average a little smaller, they always do in the heat of the summer.

Mackerel are still thick in the bays and offshore.

Offshore fishing is still solid in close and way out. There is plenty of Grouper and Mangrove Snapper within 10 miles. The False Albacore have also been putting up a good fight. The Cobia is still hanging around the larger reefs. Further out there have been some great Permit fishing, larger Grouper, Red Snapper, big Amberjack and smaller Dorado.

Well that’s my report for this week. Fishing is still going strong and I will be hitting it hard every day till the end of July, then I head off to Alaska for 10 days of Rainbow Trout fishing and a high mountain deer hunt. I can’t wait.

I have a few Tarpon days left if anyone wants to get out there and hookup to a Silver King before the majority of them leave, or we can get out there and slay some Redfish. Hope you have enjoyed the report.
Catch you on the water,
Capt. Matt