Saltwater Fishing Report for Sarasota, Florida.
Capt. Bob Smith
February 23, 2003
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Inshore fishing is still excellent
Inshore fishing is still excellent and offshore fishing is coming back! Spotted seatrout are the best they have been in years and are being caught over most of the bay. Along with the trout, we found plenty of ladyfish an occasional pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Natural and artificial baits are both working well but free-lined live shrimp will increase the variety.
Finding a hot spot on the bay at this time is more about wind direction and wind speed. Finding and drifting a grass-flat at a good angle with a fishable drifting speed is a big plus. Anchoring along the edges of the grass between Mote Marine and Bird Key has also been hot. Snook and redfish are being caught, but spotty.
Gag grouper and mangrove snapper are starting to pickup well offshore. No big numbers but some nice fish. The inshore artificial “I” reefs are still loaded with pinfish and small triggers. The Fisher and Roehr reefs are still holding a large school of very small bluefish. Cobia have been spotted and caught from Casey Key to Sarasota but with no consistency. Some of the pods have been reported to be large. Cobia can be on the bottom, out of sight as well as on the top. For now if you fish deep you will need to use a pinfish or grunt if you want to keep a bait on your hook for more then 60 seconds. Live shrimp will work if sight fishing.
Enjoy and Protect
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