Hot summer action off Anna Maria’s shore

The fishing is hot like the weather right now offshore. Our parties are catching some really big gag grouper, lots of firetruck red grouper, scamp, a variety of snappers with some monster mangrove snapper, mahi mahi, sharks, barracudas and a few kingfish.

For the largest gags, go deep to beat the heat in 180 to 200 feet and get your world rocked with a gangster gag grouper. We have caught nice gags in most depths lately, starting in about 50 feet on shorter trips. On longer trips, I like to at least start out in 120 feet, and there you will tear up some real ‘redneck’ grouper along with some nice snapper and mahi.

Amberjack are back in season as of Aug. 1 and ready to fight. I recommend this weekend to go for a nighttime mangrove snapper trip on a hot summer night, but a lot cooler than the daytime. We will be coming off the full moon and snappers usually bite the best during this time. August is one of the peak months for mangos. Plus there’s no telling what else you might tie into at night.

A week after the full moon, the tides and current will slow down and I forecast the grouper bite will be will be off the chart. Wild and crazy! Right on the full moon you have to usually work a lot harder for grouper due to the stronger current, but we have still caught some huge grouper lately.

Go for mangos this weekend. Always keep a flat line deployed behind the boat for our pelagic species like wahoo, blackfin tuna, cobia, summer time smoker kings and even help celebrate shark week with a big shark.

Remember to stay thirsty my friends — keeping hydrated with lots of water and sports drinks because fighting fish in this heat can hurt. For more info, look me up.

Capt Larry McGuire operates Show Me The Fish Charters out of Bradenton Beach Marina. Call (941) 720-6475.