Gulf fishing stories: Snapper, storms and shark encounters

This collection of stories explores the unpredictable challenges and unique catches faced by Gulf anglers.

Fishermen chase a nonstop red snapper bite as the season opens, dealing with rough water and strong winds. A rare snapper species confuses anglers west of Tampa Bay, making their trip both surprising and memorable.

Some anglers fight unpredictable storms during overnight fishing trips, landing big red and gag grouper before the weather forces them home. Others encounter sharks near Anna Maria Island, including a great white drawn to the remains of a whale, and struggle to land snapper before losing them to these sharp-toothed competitors.

Read the stories below.

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Patrick Diercks poses with a red snapper caught fishing this past week on a slow-pitch jig in the Gulf of Mexico.

NO. 1: LOCAL FISHERMEN FIND ‘NONSTOP’ RED SNAPPER BITE IN GULF OF MEXICO AS SEASON BEGINS

Red snapper season began on June 1. | Published June 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

Charlie Womble poses with a hogfish caught in the Gulf of Mexico while fishing offshore for the first time with Jon Chapman on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. By Provided photo

NO. 2: HOW A FLORIDA 15-YEAR-OLD MADE LIFELONG MEMORIES DURING FIRST GULF FISHING TRIP

The first thing the young angler asked during his visit to Manatee County was, “Will you take me offshore on a boat?” | Published January 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

Local angler Will Brown caught a rare dog snapper while fishing in 55 feet of water west of Tampa Bay. By Provided photo

NO. 3: ‘WHAT IS THAT?’ HOW A LOCAL FISHERMAN REELED IN A RARE SNAPPER IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

“We were looking at it going, ‘That’s not right. What is that?’” the angler said. | Published January 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

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A screenshot from a video shows a great white shark seen in 70 feet of water off Anna Maria Island. By Provided photo

NO. 4: ‘I JUST COULDN’T BELIEVE IT.’ ANGLER ENCOUNTERS GREAT WHITE SHARK NEAR ANNA MARIA ISLAND

“I won’t dive alone,” he said. “These sharks ... come to any sound related to fishing or spearfishing." | Published February 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

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Angler Lee Oung caught plenty of red snapper and mangrove snapper while fishing after a full moon on April 12, 2025. By Provided photo

NO. 5: ‘JUST KEEP CRANKING.’ LOCAL ANGLERS FIGHT OFF SHARKS FOR SNAPPER CATCH

Fishing after a full moon can be hit or miss, one local angler says. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

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AMI Exercursions charter captain Nathan Costello and angler Mike are pictured with a tarpon caught fishing in Tampa Bay on a threadfin. By Provided photo

NO. 6: HOW A LOCAL CHARTER CAPTAIN TARGETS TARPON NEAR ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Tarpon are here. | Published May 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

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Captain John Gunter poses with a gag grouper caught fishing overnight last weekend before being caught offshore by storms. By Provided photo

NO. 7: ‘IT’S UNPREDICTABLE.’ BRADENTON-AREA ANGLERS CAUGHT IN DANGEROUS GULF STORM

“At 5:30 a.m., I’m in a bean bag and was woken up when the bow slammed down,” one angler said. | Published June 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists or contributing writers.