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Saltwater Fishing Report for Sarasota, Florida.
Capt. Bob Smith
July 30, 2000
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Grouper and Shark
Gag grouper and small sharks were on the (M) reefs. This seems to have been the best fishing over the past week. Fishing in 25 to 30 feet of water off shore and any deep structure on the bay has produced some nice fish. I like to catch my own fresh live bait for this kind of fishing. Using a small baited hook and split shot, I drift the grass flats and structures for medium size pinfish and pigfish (grunts). For the large sardines, I use the gold hook bait rig and find the schools just offshore.
Depending on how and where the fish are hitting, I will use about 3'-4' of 60 to 150 test mono leader and at least a strong 5/0 hook. When anchored, I will use less than 1 oz of lead depending how strong the bait is and I place the weight close to the hook. I fish straight down and just above the structure and make the fish come out just a bit to get the bait. If you cast out or drop your bait down into the structure, you will be tying a lot of rigs. The exception to this is when you fish the sand around the edges of the structures and especially for the large flounder that are hanging around the structure.
A number of the sharks have been black tip. They are a favorite of the shark eaters but they are also good sport. When fishing here, you need to treat everything you feel on your rod like it is a fish even though it may feel like bottom. Many of the fish you hook will need to be pulled out of the rocks and you will see the scars on them, if you get them up.
Enjoy and Protect
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