Saltwater Fishing Report for Sarasota, Florida.
Capt. Bob Smith
November 16, 2002
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Mackerel & Cobia
King mackerel and Spanish mackerel still hitting hard along the beaches! Cobia are also doing well on most of the rock piles! Sharks and large barracuda are feeding on the mackerel. Little tunny are also mixing in.
For about a month, the action has been hot from the beach out to about 30 feet of water. Free-lining live bait, shrimp or sardines and fishing any of the artificial reefs or rock piles along the coast has been very productive. You can also fish the many schools of baitfish or look for the schools of mackerel jumping out of the water.
We have been fishing with 12# test line, 40# mono leader and 6" of steel with a 3/0 to 5/0 hook, but I take off the steel when targeting cobia.
If looking for cobia, you may want to anchor on one of the reefs or rock piles closer to the beach (around the 20-foot depth) and mix-up your rigging. Cobia may be feeding on the bottom or the top or anywhere in-between. I like to use one rig with a small splitshot, one on a float and still work a free-line until something works. Always look for follow-ups when fishing for cobia.
When it has been too rough to fish offshore, we have been finding plenty of trout on the bay grass-flats but remember, it is catch and release for trout now. Pompano have been on and off in Big pass but well worth looking for. Redfish and snook are possible but have just gone through a lot of pressure for a big redfish tournament.
Enjoy and Protect
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