Late Summer Fishing Report

Capt. Taylor Cowieson
August 15, 2024
Bradenton - Saltwater Fishing Report

Here in Bradenton and Anna Maria Island the weather has been great for a 4 hour morning fishing charter. There is very little wind and it gets very warm in the middle of the day during August. We also have the potential for afternoon thunderstorms on a regular basis. This is a great time of year to visit Anna Maria Island because there it is a slower time of year as far as tourism goes. Most of the local kids are going back to school this week and next so there is not much traffic on the island. After Tropical Storm Debby it took about a week for the wind to subside back to normal conditions for this time of year. There was a lot of freshwater runoff that went into the Manatee River and Tampa Bay during the storm. After the storm the dam for Lake Manatee was opened to release water into the manatee river. The water is a very tannin color but there is still solid fishing going on.
The redfish are showing up in great numbers post storm. This time of year they group up into schools to eat and spawn. Finding a school of these fish can make for some great action. Sometimes they can be spotted in shallow water cruising the grass flats making a pronounced wake as they search for food and avoid predators. Since Tropical Storm Debby and the influx in fresh water the bait has been a little tougher to come by as it moved out to deeper, cleaner water with better salinity. The mangrove snapper are not too fond of the fresh water influx but they have not gone anywhere, they are biting better and better as the water gets back to normal. August is a good month to target the mangrove snapper in Tampa Bay. Once the bait starts to show in the normal areas again the fishing for seatrout, ladyfish, and Spanish mackerel will be a great option for action and some fish to bring home for dinner. There are a good amount of larger snook around right now and as they start to work their way back in from the beaches and passes they will be a good target for the next 3-4 weeks. Snook season starts September 1 and goes until December 1.
As we get closer to fall the fishing is going to get better and better. The next few months are my favorite time to be fishing in Tampa Bay. If you are looking for a fishing charter in the Bradenton or Anna Maria Island area give me a call or text 813-220-8725 to inquire about our services and to book. We are family friendly and love getting kids out and hooked on fishing!

More Fishing Reports:

• All Reports by Capt. Taylor Cowieson
• Bradenton Fishing Reports
• West Florida (Englewood to Cedar Key) Reports
• Florida Fishing Reports
• Browse All Fishing Reports