Sarasota fishing report Capt Jim klopfer 11/22/2014
Capt. Jim Klopfer
November 22, 2014
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
front moved through on Monday evening, which dropped the water temperature in Sarasota Bay into the mid 50s. I ran two saltwater charters, both towards the end of the week. Ladyfish were plentiful and kept the rods bent and anglers smiling. Trout, gag grouper, jack crevelle, and sea bass were also caught. Most of the fish hit Glow Bass assassin sea Shad baits, though live shrimp also produced a few fish. The Selby flats were the best spot. Docks and oyster bars in Robert's Bat produced small redfish, sheepshead, and speckled trout using live shrimp. Lake Manatee is still providing steady action on speckled perch and snook fishing is picking up in the Myakka River as the water temperature in Charlotte Harbor drops.
On Tuesday morning I fished the Myakka River and found the snook in a feeding mood as the front had just moved through. Rapala X-Raps and BX Minnows produced snook to 32". Wednesday was windy and cold. On Thursday it had warmed up a bit, so I ran out to Lake Manatee in the afternoon. The speckled perch action was steady, though none of the fish were large. I caught a dozen along with a Sunshine bass in several hours.
On Friday Pat Connaughton, Rob Rotz, and Andy Burns went out on a charter with me. We left CB's Saltwater Outfitters a bit late in order to let it warm up. I was surprised to find non-stop action near Marina Jacks. Ladyfish were plentiful and aggressive, hitting Glow Bass Assassin jigs. After an hour and a half of "catching", we decided to try for other species and targeted docks and oyster bars in Robert's Bay. Redfish to 17", sheepshead, and speckled trout took live shrimp.
Saturday's charter was similar for Kristy and Jacob Waller from southwest Virginia. Ladyfish action was very steady near Selby Gardens. The wind really cranked up and dock fishing was difficult and unproductive, so we called it a day.
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