Manatee River
Bradenton, Manatee County, FL
Partly cloudy
·
86°F
·
Feels 93°
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- Sunrise
- 06:48 AM
- Sunset
- 06:34 PM
- Temp. Fº
- 68 Fº
- Temp. Cº
- 20 Cº
- Speed
- 6 mph
- Direction
-
WSW
- Strength
- 6
- Level
-
Moderate
Hourly Fishing Activity
Feeding Windows
Fish Species in This Area
Common Snook
Centropomus undecimalis
Prized sport fish found around mangroves and inlets. Sensitive to cold temperatures.
Local Notes: Ambush from the banks at Manatee River on tidal changes. Dawn topwater (Zara Spook, MirrOlure Twitch) before switching to swimbaits.
Tarpon
Megalops atlanticus
Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.
Local Notes: Migrate through Manatee River on their way upriver. Rolling fish are visible — free-line a live mullet or crab at the edges.
Black Drum
Pogonias cromis
Large drum species found in estuaries. Can reach impressive sizes.
Local Notes: Feed on the bottom of deeper bends in Manatee River. Shrimp or sand flea on a knocker rig.
Mangrove Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.
Local Notes: Hold in deep bends and around any overhanging structure at Manatee River. Light fluorocarbon with live shrimp.
Red Drum
Sciaenops ocellatus
Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.
Local Notes: Push into Manatee River on incoming tides. Work weedless gold spoons along the grass banks.
Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.
Local Notes: Congregate around dock pilings and fallen trees in Manatee River. Fiddler crabs produce the most bites.
Spotted Seatrout
Cynoscion nebulosus
Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.
Local Notes: Seek the deeper river holes at Manatee River during cold spells. Slow-sink MirrOlures at first light.