Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico
Capt. Dave Pinkham
March 12, 2000
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
For those lucky anglers fortunate enough to get out, warm sunny weather and calm seas have offered excellent fishing on the Gulf. The fish have bee biting too! Following is a report of what's been biting.
There are still plenty of gag grouper around. When conditions trigger them to feed, they have been eating both cut and live baits. I do best with gags when I anchor down. This gives them time to turn on.
Red grouper are in no shortage either. If you want keepers you'll have to run out a little deeper though. One method I like to use when fishing for reds is drift fishing. Try tipping jigs with squid and bouncing them up and down as you drift. When you get some good ones on, throw your jug to mark the spot.
If you want some big amberjack, you will have to plan a longer trip and run out to one of the deeper wrecks or springs.
Cobia are still around west of the Englewood beaches. I always try to be on the lookout for them. Often they can be spotted just cruising along right at the water's surface. Casting a bait or plug out in front of them will usually provoke a hit.
Barracuda are starting to school up on some of the offshore wrecks and artificial reefs. Talk about a fight, get a five-foot long cuda on the end of your line and you'll be in for one!
Mangrove snapper have been thick enough to be almost a sure thing. They have been schooled up on most of the ledges and the artificial reefs. As with the gag grouper, anchoring your boat above the fish is the best way to get them feeding.
King mackerel fishing has really started to heat up since last week. I've been doing well pulling spoons behind planners. Little Tunie have been running in these same areas, so be prepared to do battle. Stay safe and please respect God's Creation ~
More Fishing Reports:
