Anna Maria Island May 2018 Fishing Report: Tarpon Time

May fishing on Anna Maria Island has almost every charter captain pretty excited for the next couple of months. Why? Because it's tarpon season! The water has been gin-clear as of late which is providing for some phenomenal sight-fishing opportunities (especially on the fly)!

In fact, just yesterday, while scouting out the flats, we had an opportunity to cast a fly rod at three tarpon cruising the flats. While they weren't interested in eating and snubbed the fly, it was a good reminder of the adrenaline and excitement that site-fishing for tarpon brings. They aren't quite here in numbers yet although they should be in the next couple of weeks (if not sooner, depending on our weather)...but I digress.

Inshore, the fishing lately has been pretty good with good numbers of snook, trout, and some redfish taken inshore on white bait fishing around structure (seawalls and docks), as well as deep grass flats with potholes. Snook are starting to populate the beach as well. 20 pound fluorocarbon leaders (extra long with this clear water) has been our go to set-up when fishing live bait. Size 2 circle hooks are my go-to.

On the offshore side of things, kingfish are here in good numbers as they follow the piles of bait up along the coast, as well as permit, cobia, mackerel, and some nice size snook (although their season is now over) being caught off of wrecks and reefs.

Either way, the fishing has been fun so get out there and wet a line!

Tight lines!

Capt. Scott