Beach Snook
Steve Gibson
August 28, 2009
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Sight-fishing snook in the surf continues to be our main activity. There are some big fish cruising the beaches and providing fun.
We've been average six snook per outing. They range in size from 22 to more than 30 inches. The largest we've taken this season is a 39-incher.
This is mainly a fly-fishing game. Our equipment consists for 8-weight fly rod, floating or sinktip line, 20-pound leader and 25-pound shock leader. Fly of choice is the D.T. Special (variation).
Ken Taylor of North Port, Fla., fished with us on Wednesday. We managed five snook to 28 inches. On Thursday, Scott Dempsey of Tampa was our guest. We caught and released six snook to 29.5 inches, a small gag grouper and a larger flounder – all on D.T. Specials.
You never know what you're going to experience on these outings. On a trip two weeks ago, we landed 15 snook to 39 inches (six of more than 28), three redfish to 32, a blue runner, several jack crevalle and jumped three tarpon in excess of 100 pounds. Days like that don't have often, but they're certainly possible.
Beach snook action should remain good through September. It will continue until the first severe cold front pushes through and the fish leave the beaches and head into the backcounty.
Bay fishing has been producing fair action on spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, ladyfish, snook and redfish.
In fresh water, look for improved bass, bluegill, shellcracker and channel catfish.
We'll begin out Everglades outings in late fall when the water level goes down. We target largemouth bass, bluegill, speckled perch, shellcracker and exotics like peacock bass, oscar and Mayan cichlid. These are exciting trips during which anglers sometimes catch 100 fish or more.
Sarasota Fishing Forecast:
Sight-fishing for snook in the surf should remain good through September. Bay action will improve drastically as the mornings begin to cool.
Target Species:
Snook, redfish, tarpon, flouner, jack crevalle, bluefish, bass, bluegill, shellcracker, oscar, Mayan cichlid, peacock bass
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