Saltwater Fishing Report for Sarasota, Florida.
Capt. Bob Smith
January 20, 2002
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Cuda Hole
Lately, my fishing has been concentrated around the Cuda Hole in fifty to sixty feet of water. Mangrove (Gray) snapper have been moving in for the past few weeks and are getting up to four pounds. You won't find them on the bite all the time and you may need to move around but limits are being made. The most productive method has been to anchor over the structure and fish straight down, keeping your bait just a few inches above the bottom. It is best to use light tackle, ten to fifteen pound test line. I use forty pound mono leader, a 3/0 hook and between a quarter and a half ounce of split-shot about six inches above the hook. Large live shrimp is the best bait by far but cut bait will work.
Along with the snapper, you will find some keeper size grouper, scamp, porgy, sheepshead and plenty of grunts and triggerfish. Taking some heavier tackle along and fishing the bottom with live fish like pinfish or grunts is a good idea in this area. Large grouper, jewfish (Goliath grouper) and sharks are often found here.
The Cuda Hole starts just about nine miles offshore and is in Federal waters. It is a grand place with plenty of breaks and small ledges plus a couple of artificial reefs. A good bottom recorder and a compass is all you need to find the Cuda Hole. Running a compass course of 240° to 245° out of New Pass will get you there. Use the zoom on your recorder and throw out a marker when you see something. Go back and check your marker. If it still looks good, anchor back to it.
Enjoy and Protect
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