Saltwater Fishing Report for Sarasota, Florida.
Capt. Bob Smith
December 22, 2003
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
"Good weather Good Fishing"
This is the time of year that an old cliché “Good Weather, Good Fishing” comes into play and so on. The weather has been both good and bad for this December and the fishing has followed. The good news is that most of the species don’t leave, they just take a break and wait for the front to pass.
The action has been hot in the Cudahole area or any good bottom along the coast in 45 to 50 feet of water. Mangrove snapper and grouper (black/gag) have been on the bite. Live shrimp, pinfish and small grunts as always are the top baits for more fish but other baits will work too. It is shrimp for the snapper and fish for the grouper. Grouper love shrimp but the competition is stiff and the smaller reef fish are faster. Eight to twelve pound test line will work best for snapper but is often too light for keeper size grouper.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish were hot along the beaches but the water had gotten too muddy on my last trip.
On the bay grass-flats, we found some nice sea trout and ladyfish. Sheepsheads are in the passes and around the docks and rocks. Bay fishermen are picking up a variety of fish especially if using live shrimp, but not too many of any one species. The larger snook should have gone up the river looking for warmer water by now.
Enjoy & Protect
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