Good morning, fly anglers! Today, Anna Maria Island offers prime conditions for fly fishing, with favorable tides and manageable weather. Here’s your detailed guide to making the most of it:
Weather and Conditions
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Temperature: The morning will start at a comfortable 79°F, climbing to around 86°F by the afternoon. Expect partly cloudy skies, providing some relief from the sun while still offering good visibility for sight fishing.
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Wind: Light winds at around 5 mph will keep conditions calm, ideal for smooth casting and precise presentations.
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Water Temperature: The Gulf is holding steady at around 83°F, which is perfect for active inshore species.
Tides and Timing
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High Tide: 4:35 AM at 2.2 feet
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Low Tide: 12:23 PM at 0.3 feet
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High Tide: 7:52 PM at 2.5 feet
The best fly fishing will be during the early morning high tide and again during the late afternoon and evening high tide. These times will see fish moving into the shallows, making them more accessible.
Top Fly Fishing Spots
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Sarasota Bay Grass Flats: These flats will be productive during the morning high tide, especially for redfish and sea trout. Focus on areas with good vegetation and use baitfish patterns for the best results.
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Perico Bayou: As the tide rises, target snook along the mangroves. A shrimp pattern cast near the structure should yield good results.
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Bimini Bay: Calm and protected, this spot is great for sight fishing snook and redfish, particularly in the late afternoon as the tide comes in.
Fly Selection
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Shrimp Patterns: Excellent for redfish and snook.
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Clouser Minnows: Great for sea trout, especially when fishing in clear water on the flats.
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Crab Patterns: Use these for working the grass flats, particularly in the morning.
