Angling success in Sarasota despite red tide
Capt. Jim Klopfer
August 13, 2018
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Weekly Sarasota fishing report
Angling success this week required me to keep moving on my Sarasota fishing charters. Red tide has crept into Sarasota Bay. The key to catching fish is to find "good" water. The best water and spots this week were Bishop's Pt., Buttonwood, Long Bar, and Stephen's Pt. Speckled trout and ladyfish were fairly plentiful. Several times we ran across schools of jack crevelle foraging on the surface. This is very exciting! These fish are very aggressive and hit lures with gusto. Bluefish were mixed in with them as well. A few decent mangrove snapper were caught, too.
The wind eased up late in the week and we were able to find schools of "breaking" fish. Clean water up in north Sarasota Bay had the fish bunched up pretty good. Ladyfish and jacks were plentiful, with bluefish, Spanish mackerel, trout, and snapper mixed in. Unfortunately, the red tide has been working north in Sarasota Bay. By Thursday Bishops and Stephens were covered up. I cancelled my Friday trip as the wind shifted west. It was breezy and I did not think conditions would be good. The odor was not nice, either.
Effective baits
Jigs and free lined live shrimp produced best this week. A Gulp Shrimp on a 1/4 ounce jig head produced well. Live shrimp on a #1 hook and a small split shot was effective as well. Live shrimp can be small this time of year. We call it "pee wee season". However, they did get a little better this week.
One strategy that can be effective during red tide outbreaks is to fish "different" areas. Fish will move out of their normal seasonal spots in search of water free of red tide. This can push then into unconventional spots. I don't normally fish docks in canals and creeks this time of year. However, we found success in Bowlees Creek up north, catching snapper, black drum, catfish, and other species bottom fishing with shrimp.
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