Recent cold fronts haven't slowed the action if you know where to look. Snook, Redfish, and Tarpon are still readily available in backwater areas in and around Sarasota from southern Tampa Bay down to Casey Key. This includes rivers, small creeks and deep canals adjacent to the ICW.
The best and most surprising bite has been the influx of small Tarpon into a number of area river systems. Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients have been hooking these small silver kings along deeper cuts and areas protected from the winds. Early in the morning and late afternoons have been the best times to fish for these Tarpon as they roll on the surface. We have been throwing topwater baits such as a Rapala Skitterpop and suspending baits like the Rapala Xrap in gold and black. These baits have been wicked effective and days can see as many as 10 Tarpon, from 10# to 20#, jumped.
Snook and Redfish have also moved off the open flats for the most part and are now taking up residence in more protected and backwater areas. Over the past week Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients have been taking large Snook and Redfish far up local rivers, as many as 10 miles from the coast, and in deeper saltwater canals along Longboat Key and Siesta Key. The best day bite has been in the rivers on an incoming tide along deep bends and larger pools. Using Rapala Xraps we have been connecting with a lot of big Snook up to 39". The Redfish have been a little smaller as of lately but they are in a lot of the same areas we are targeting Snook so a lot of the action we are seeing is coming on the same baits we are using for Snook. This is also a good time of year to focus on Redfish feeding along shallow mud flats and points within local rivers. A lot of tailing fish have been spotted and targeted this past week within these areas using gold spoons and chatterbaits.
Night fishing has been the most consistent for Snook and Redfish and is producing the biggest numbers. If you are brave enough to head out in the chillier night air then you will be rewarded with numerous Snook, Redfish, and even Sea Trout along the many dock lights that fill the many canals along the ICW. The sizes aren't super for Snook but the numbers that are stacked up in these areas make for easy catch and release fishing. The Redfish on the other hand have been mostly middle to upper slot fish which makes for some tough fights on light tackle. The best baits by far has been medium sized shrimp free lined along the lights.
Other fish that have been showing up with more and more frequency have been the numbers of large Jack Crevelle from 20# and up, and good Flounder fishing along sandy areas within Sarasota and Tampa Bay.
DON'T MISS THE SUN COAST KAYAK SPORT FISHING REPORT ON PEACOCK BASS AND EXOTICS IN THE MIAMI AND FT. LAUDERDALE AREAS.
D.C. Bienvenue
Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing
www.fishwithdc.com
dc@fishwithdc.com