As we come into 2025, we are greeted with some very chilly weather the first two weeks of January here in Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. The fishing has been great as we are in our winter time patterns. On the days that mother nature allows us to venture into the gulf we have been focusing our efforts on bottom fishing providing for great action and easy fishing techniques for our charter fishing guests. When the seas are too rough, we have been fishing in the Manatee River with live bait and having great action for our guests as well.

The fishing in the Gulf of Mexico in the winter months can be very productive for a variety of tasty fish. Dropping live and dead/cut baits to the bottom with a weight to hold it close to the bottom is the ideal way of fishing out in the Gulf of Mexico near shore (state waters) when the water is in the 60s and there is little pelagic and surface activity. Some of the most popular targets are the sheepshead, imperial snapper, mangrove snapper, hogfish, porgies, and more. We also have the potential to run across a tripletail while traveling from spot to spot out there.

On the inshore fishing scene, we are focusing on structure and deeper water in protected areas from the wind. Canals on Anna Maria Island with docks and sea walls are great areas to check for fish making their homes for the winter. We are also fishing some of the same types of structures in the Manatee River. We are targeting redfish, sheepshead, black drum, pompano, spotted seatrout, jack crevalle, and snook. We are fishing with live pilchards and live or dead shrimp.

If you are looking for a fishing charter in Bradenton or Anna Maria Island, give me a call or text 813-220-8725. I am family friendly and cater all the way up to the most seasoned anglers as well. You can also book directly on my website.