Saltwater Fishing Report for Sarasota, Florida.
Capt. Bob Smith
March 8, 2003
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Snapper, Snapper and Snapper
The fishing is still improving. The sizes of the Spanish mackerel that are being caught on the Allen Fisher reef have increased. A few of the mackerel have made five pounds but the average is about two pounds. High barometer readings have affected the bite but it comes back. Live bait, jigs and trolling have all worked.
Mangrove snappers have also moved in to the (I) reefs. Nice size snappers are being caught on large live shrimp fished on the bottom. A quarter ounce split-shot attached six inches above a 3/0 hook works best. Small tipped jigs bounced on the bottom are a killer in the right hands. Don't be surprised if you hook-up with a nice gag or flounder while fishing the Inshore reefs. Cobia is also a good possibility and has been caught, but is still not real dependable. That's history and today could be the day they start strong.
The spotted seatrout is still going strong on the bay. Although we catch plenty of small trout, we have had no problem making our limit with fish between eighteen and twenty inches. Large live shrimp is the price we pay for this, but fly and jig fishermen are also doing well. Pompano, mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish are also scattered around the grass-flats and in with the trout. Most of the grass-flats are holding fish and I let the wind direction and speed dictate which flat I fish.
All of the fish are moving around the flats and sometimes in small pockets. When we find the fish in pockets, I will do short drifts over the pockets, making sure to make wide returns so as not to spook them.
Enjoy and Protect
More Fishing Reports:
