If the winds are hampering your efforts to fish offshore, closer in the Spanish mackerel and sheephead bite has been going strong along the beaches and local piers; it's a great back up plan if you can't head far offshore on the windy days. Despite the poor weather, Pictured below is of Terry Wilkerson. He has an awesome amberjack he caught using a live pinfish in about 125 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island. Terry and party also caught lots of blacktip sharks, more AJ's, porgies, snappers and catch-and-release grouper.
While fishing closer in be ready for the kingfish invasion. The local grapevine has it that the serious kingfish action was off the coast of Ft Myers. As soon as the bait schools show up, so will the cobia and big sharks. Looks like the forecast starting this weekend predicts perfect weather, which is an a offshore anglers dream come true, especially after a windy couple of weeks. On Show Me The Fish we will be heading out to about 160 ft and going for the gold on these calm days targeting the big boys out deep. Now's the time to come on out and get on it. Spring Break is here, so don't waste the opportunity to have enjoy it!
"Above is Capt. Larry himself, proving his awesome amberjack abilities, with his impressive catch he garnered using a butterfly jig, which also pulled in some spectacular reef fish as well. Below is (left to right) Duane Cowgill, John Dixon, John Womack, Nate Saltonstall with a yellowtail snapper, and Doug Bassett. These happy anglers caught more amberjacks and a bounty of mangrove snappers, yellowtail snappers and porgies in about 120 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island.
The fish are definitely out there to be caught, as you can see from the proof the pictures provide; the key is to get out there & carpe diem--- SEIZE THE DAY & SEIZE THE AMBERJACKS, because if you aren't, someone else will!
Large live baits for the AJ's are working best in this weather. Along with the usual suspects of amberjacks, Capt. Larry's party's have been hammering hard on monster mangrove snappers, trophy flag yellow tail snapper, tasty lane and vermilion snappers, porgies, & triggerfish to fill the coolers with the fantastical fish that will eventually fill our bellies! Along with what we kept, we have been carefully releasing large gag grouper and American red snappers in about 110 ft, catching them without even trying. Below is Tom Kearney, also from Anna Maria Island, with a nice gag grouper he caught and released. Tom was using a live grunt, trying to fish for amberjacks in about 130 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island when he caught this beast.
Further offshore in about 160 ft on the springs and wrecks are party's are catching all the above plus lots of blacktip sharks up to 6 ft and hooking into much larger sharks around 9 ft maybe around 250 lb range. Closer in on the near-shore reefs the best sheephead action of the year is going on during this month. It sure looks like spring is here, & Capt. Larry is looking forward to the kingfish that will be here any day now; and when they arrive he will be vigilantly there for them! As soon as the wind calms down, the bite offshore will be off the charts. These fronts are actually helping the fishing by bunching them up into groups and pushing new fish into on our reefs, wrecks and rockpiles. The first boats that hit these honey holes will be rewarded with an amazing experience. Fishing's great and life is good, now is the time to go offshore for a trip of a lifetime. Capt. Larry's springtime wishes for you: keep tight lines and good fishing will continue!
