Saltwater Fishing At It's Best
Brandenton, Florida and the Manatee County Area

The Manatee county area has so much to offer anyone interested in fishing, or just the beauty of the area.  It holds everything from The South Sunshine Skyway fishing pier, to the quiet back country where the scenery and wildlife is just as interesting as the fish that swim the waters. You can fish from the pier itself or the waters around it, and hook everything from grouper, sheephead, mangrove snapper, mackeral, kingfish, and even permit & pompano.   If this isn’t what you are looking for, then head for the backcountry.  Here, you will find snook, redfish, trout, flounder, and even possibly a tarpon or two.  The “Backcountry”, from Joe’s Bay, Bishop Harbor, Miguel Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, and the Manatee River hold just about any species you are looking for.

These areas also hold bait, (whitebait), if you choose to use these small fish, or you can stop at any of the many bait shops and Marinas, in and around Palmetto and Bradenton to get shrimp, or your choice of bait.  Artificials are also very good, and many Anglers choose to use them.  CoteeJigs are always a good choice.  If you choose to use whitebait, mix your “chum”, to entice the little critters close to the boat,  throw your net, and fill your bait wells. Then--- head for the fishing.

Terra Ceia Bay holds many  areas around the mangroves where you can catch a redfish, snook, or just enjoy the scenery.  It is not uncommon to see a beautiful pink Rosiet Spoonbill, or many of our other Florida birds.  Terra Ceia Bay holds its own bird sanctuary, called Bird Key, where you can just sit in your boat, and watch the birds, if the fishing is slow.  In the “cut” from Terra Ceia Bay to the Manatee River, it is not uncommon to see a Manatee family or two, swimming around.  Of course the beauty of the mangroves themselves is something to see.  Up to the East of the skyway, you will find Joe’s Bay, Bishop Harbor, and Port Manatee.  These areas are dotted with oyster bars, and deep edges next to the mangroves, that will supply you with snook and redfish along with many other species.

If you’re looking for the Big grouper, kings, cobia, etc. head west from the beaches of Manatee & Sarasota county to the 1 mile, 3 mile, or 7 mile Reefs.  These reefs hold the big fish, and will supply you with a great place to Scuba Dive also.  If it is trolling for “Kings” that is your choice, head for Egmont Channel, put a “spoon” on, or your choice of “live bait”, and get ready.  It is not always that the “Kings” are running, so this is something that may not always be a choice, but when it is time, it is a great experience.  During certain months, you can also catch Tarpon in the areas off the beaches, or go North to Terra Ceia Bay, or around the Skyway Bridge.

If you head south from this area, down the Innercoastal Waterway, you will find many fishing spots as well as Marinas and “on the water” Restaurants all along the way to Sarasota Bay.

   THE FISHING IS GREAT, SO JUST PICK AN AREA AND  -   LET’S GO FISHING.

Captain Thom Smith also has a weekly radio show that can be heard every Thursday night at 7:00:

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR 941-795-6711 & 776-1187. ALSO, "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT THOM" EVERY THURSDAY FROM 6-7PM ON 1490AM RADIO. Call the show at 941-745-1490. YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN ON THE INTERNET AT: www.1490wwpr.com or www.fishorshutup.com . CHECK US OUT!