Redfish have been schooled up in Sarasota Bay for about a month strait now. Consistent weather and tons of bait are keeping these fish happy and hungry. Focusing more on North Sarasota Bay, try to work the grass flats and oyster beds. Live bait is working extremely well and has been extremely plentiful the last few weeks. Artificial baits of almost all types are working as well. Top water lures, flies, poppers, suspending lures…. some guides have even resorted to throwing bare hooks for fun! The fish are frenzied and the bite is hot. Triple tail have started to show up, nothing of great size yet reported but typically that happens after a cold front. Checking all floating debris and crab buoys for triple tail can be very productive. Some large snook have been caught on the flats as well as trout. Mullet is also a fantastic bait for snook and reds and are extremely abundant at the moment in our area. Red tide is very patchy off of the beach and offshore, so focusing on the inshore/ bay fishing is suggested. Mangrove snapper bit has been amazing these past weeks as well! Live shrimp are always best but frozen will work. There have been several cobia reports in the bay and we should start seeing some larger models in the gulf these next couple weeks!! As always, stop in to see us with any questions you may have! We are more than happy to help. Tight Lines
Tackle Manager,
Ashley Little