Every fall, just as the mullet start running and the redfish school up, another migration arrives in Sarasota and Manatee counties: snowbirds. Drawn by our warm winters and blue water, thousands of part-time residents descend on the area, bringing with them more cars, more boats, and more pressure on our waters. For anglers, this annual migration has both challenges and silver linings.
Busier Boat Ramps & Waterways
Ask any local who fishes year-round and they’ll tell you — from November through April, boat ramps like Ken Thompson, Coquina, and 10th Street are packed by mid-morning. Wait times can double, and finding a parking spot for your trailer can feel like winning the lottery. On the water, popular areas like Long Bar, New Pass, and the grass flats near Anna Maria get noticeably busier. More boats mean more wakes, more fishing pressure, and sometimes less solitude.
Fishing Pressure on Popular Species
Snowbirds fish, too. Many come down with their boats, others rent or charter, and plenty drop a line from piers or bridges. More lines in the water means more pressure on snook, trout, redfish, and sheepshead — especially in easily accessible areas like the ICW, piers, and docks. While catch-and-release ethics are improving, some spots can get picked over quickly compared to the slower pace of summer.
The Upside: A Stronger Fishing Economy
On the flip side, snowbirds bring energy and dollars to the local fishing economy. Tackle shops stay busy, guides fill their calendars, and bait suppliers move shrimp and pilchards by the truckload. This seasonal boost helps support the very businesses local anglers depend on year-round. It also means better stock in shops, more demo days from boat dealers, and often more fishing seminars or events.
Adapting as a Local Angler
Fishing through snowbird season isn’t about avoiding the crowds — it’s about adapting. Launching early (well before sunrise) helps you beat the ramp rush and puts you on the flats before most boats leave the dock. Exploring lesser-used ramps in places like Cortez or Palma Sola can save you time. On the water, pushing deeper into back bays, creeks, or less-trafficked flats often yields better fishing and more peaceful conditions.
A Reminder of Why They Come
At the end of the day, snowbirds flock here for the same reasons we fish year-round: sunshine, beautiful water, and the thrill of bending a rod on a Sarasota Bay redfish or a Manatee County snook. While it can test our patience at the ramp or on the water, their seasonal migration also highlights just how special our fishery is.
So this winter, when you see an out-of-state plate at the bait shop or a line of trailers at the ramp, take a deep breath. Adjust your strategy, fish smart, and remember — once spring arrives, many of those snowbirds will be flying north, leaving us with quieter ramps, open flats, and another season of fishing stories to tell.
