Fast fly-fishing action
Steve Gibson
September 30, 2009
Sarasota - Freshwater Fishing Report
We've been getting hand-sized bluegill, bass to 2 pounds, shellcracker and channel catfish to 10 pounds on popping bugs, Myakka Minnow and nymphs in Lake Manatee. One outing produced 103 bluegill, five shellcracker and three cats.
Good numbers are coming from the east side of the lake, but the fish are smaller (except for catfish). Bluegill to 10 inches and bass to 2 pounds are hitting around the mouth of Gilley Creek toward the west.
With the advent of cooler weather, we anticipate the beginning the fall speckled perch run. We usually get them on Myakka Minnows and nymphs.
We're still a couple of months away from out Everglades trips. We'll start heading south in December to fish canals along Alligator Alley. That's where we target hard-fishing oscar, lightning-fast Mayan cichlid, largemouth bass, bluegill, stumpknocker and shellcracker.
Everglades trips often result in 100 fish or more per person.
Sarasota Fishing Forecast:
Our first cool front should be the spark for the fall fishing bonanza on local lakes and streams.
Target Species:
Largemouth bass, bluegill, speckled perch, shellcracker, channel catfish
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