Sarasota fishing report Capt Jim Klopfer 12/12/2015
Capt. Jim Klopfer
December 12, 2015
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing was steady this week in the inshore waters from Sarasota Bay down to Nokomis. We had to work a little bit and keep moving, but persistence paid off. Snook, redfish, sheepshead, snapper, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, jack crevelle, flounder, sea bass, and ladyfish hit live shrimp, pilchards, and Bass Assassin jigs (red/gold was the best color) fished over grass flats, under docks, and around oyster bars. Marina Jacks, Robert's Bay, and the Intracoastal down near Venice were the top spots. Several trips to the Myakka River produced snook to 30", but the numbers aren't there yet, we need to good cold snap or two to get them moving up into the river.
I started my week on Saturday with a fun charter with the Calkins from Brookfield, WI Barb and Casey and their two sons Corey and Chris experienced steady action near Big Pass, catching a lot of fish, mostly decent sized ladyfish. Both Bass Assassin jigs and free lined shrimp were effective. After a good flurry where we had doubles and triples, I caught bait and we hit an oyster bar on the way in. Several snook, snapper, and a redfish were landed to wind up an enjoyable trip with a very nice family!
On Monday I was looking for a change of pace and headed south from Turtle Beach to check out that area. Action was steady throughout the morning until the tide quit around 11:00. Anglers casting Bass Assassin jigs caught quite a few fish, mostly ladyfish along with a couple other species.
I spent Tuesday morning with Adam Lewis from Ft. Morgan, CO. It was a bit breezy but action was steady all morning. We started off casting jigs, catching speckled trout, flounder, and ladyfish at Stephen's Pt., Radio Tower, and Marina Jacks. I got some shrimp and we finished up in Robert's Bay catching snapper and sheepshead under docks.
On Thursday Bradenton resident Blake Hadley fished the Myakka River with me. Action was a bit slow, though we managed several snook to 28" on Rapala X-Raps.
Rich Galloway from Chicago, IL and his brothers in law Paul and John went out on Friday. They were staying in Venice, so we fished down that way and found Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jacks, and gag grouper on the edges on the Intracoastal Waterway. Most of the fish were caught on live shrimp though we did fool a few using jigs.
Lance and Mary Hamilton from Connecticut did a Myakka River charter on Saturday. Again, the bit was fair, with Lance hooking a nice 30" snook early, but losing it as it jumped up high and tossed the plug. They caught several more, but none as large as that first one
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