Variety and action in Sarasota Bay!
Capt. Jim Klopfer
March 19, 2011
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing has been very good this week on a variety of species. Sheepshead action under docks along Siesta Key and Bird Key was nothing short of spectacular! Spanish mackerel are scattered all over the area, speckled trout, sliver trout, and ladyfish are plentiful, and pompano, some VERY large, were daily catches this week. Most of the action for me was in the vacinity of the north end of Siesta Key.
On Monday I took out the Raiford boys from Kansas. Action around the Ringling Bridge was virtually non-stop on large ladyfish and Spanish mackerel, along with some smaller speckled trout on free lined live shrimp. Highlight of the trip was a large pompano.
On Tuesday morning I fished with Aimee and Jason Roy from Massachusetts. Jason had a blast catching one sheepshead after another off of the Bird Key docks. The largest was 4 pounds and they were very aggressive. Tuesday afternoon the Lorentz family from St. Paul, Mn. caught speckled trout, ladyfish, and Spanish mackerel around the Bird Key flats.
On Wednesday I got to fish with Peggy Heaslip again. This time she brought along her husband Larry and son Alex. We had a great day with action and variety. Mackerel, ladyfish, and flounder hit shrimnp and Cotee jigs in Big Pass, sheepshead under the Bird Key docks provided dinner, and silver and speckled trout and ladyfish hit free lined shrimp on the flats.
Thursday morning local Sarasota resident Doc Dojutrek went out along with his friends Pat and Peter Bell from the UK. Cotee jigs, Gulp! Shrimp, and live shrimp fooled trout (mostly small), mackerel, ladyfish, and a large pompano at Stephen's Pt, Bishop's Pt., and the middlegrounds.
Friday morning was fantastic! The Cochran family from Indiana experienced fast action at Marker #5 and the Bird Key flats. Spanish mackerel to 5 pounds, pompano to 3 pounds, speckled trout to 18", and loads of ladyfish fell victim to free lined shrimp.
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