Saltwater Fishing Report for Sarasota, Florida.
Capt. Bob Smith
March 12, 2004
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Sounds like it is time to go fishing!
Kings have started to show up off of Venice in fifty feet of water. Blackfin tuna have also made their traditional spotty appearances in deep offshore water. Good catches of grouper have been made in 80 to 150 foot depths. On the Cudahole and “M” reefs, there are large numbers of mangrove snapper but they have been on the small side. The Cudahole area has also produced a few nice groupers this past week. The king mackerel are close and may show up here this weekend.
Closer inshore on the “I” reefs; you should find plenty of large sheepshead from three to five pounds. Cobia have started to show up along the beaches and have been caught up to thirty pounds.
The bay has been hot! Not 24/7 due to the cold fronts and wind but very good most of the time. There has been plenty of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, trout and an occasional pompano on the Middle ground grass flats. Schools of large trout have been moving around the bay and in and out of the deeper channels. Some large snook and nice redfish have also been caught this past week. The passes have been holding mackerel, bluefish and whiting.
The bait has been mostly live shrimp on the bay and for the sheepshead and snapper offshore. With all the action, artificial baits have also worked well, fly’s included. Offshore it has been live sardines on top and pinfish on the bottom. Trolling has worked well for some, especially on the rough days. Sounds like it is time to go fishing!
Enjoy & Protect
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