Decent action in Serasota though red tide is a factor
Capt. Jim Klopfer
October 1, 2016
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing was productive this week, despite the scattered red tide that is in the area. Persistence and the ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions are the keys to success. A spot that produces one morning might be dead two days later. Bait fish were thick on bars and flats throughout the area. Anglers produced snook, jacks, Spanish mackerel, snapper, ladyfish, snapper, flounder, and more casting Rapala X-Raps into the bait schools as well as free lining live hooked baits. I try to fish close to the spot where I caught my bait, minimizing the chance of driving through a patch of red tide. Also, fish are usually found not far from the "groceries".
Sarasota residents Doc Dojutrek and John Englander had a decent day, though the bite was better early. We started off near casting (08) Rapala X-Raps near bars and drop-offs that were loaded with bait near Siesta Key. Snook, jacks, trout, mackerel, and ladyfish were landed. It slowed a bit so I loaded up and worked a mangrove shoreline nearby. Big jacks showed up and we had some fun with them, along with some mangrove snappers. We then ran north up as far as Buttonwood, but just really picked at them, catching trout and ladyfish on jigs and bait.
I finished up my week on Saturday with a 10 boat deal out of the CB's store at the Hyatt. I had Lakeland, FL residents Bill Smith and his daughter Becky Phelps. I caught bait and chummed up a bunch of jacks and a few nice Spanish mackerel along with a couple of snook. The tide quit and so did the bite, so I moved to a canal but not much going. The tide turned and the fish started eating and we finished up with a nice flurry on trout to 17", Spanish, flounder to 15", snapper, and more. They ended up with 30 fish and 9 different species, we were keeping track as part of a fun little tournament.
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