Fish have really been concentrated in the backwater areas of local rivers, especially the ones just to the north of Sarasota. We are targeting Snook, Redfish, and Tarpon far up the rivers in waters that are barely even brackish. Targeting deep holes associated with sharp bends in the river Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients have been very successful. Snook and Redfish are being found along the drop offs and edges of the holes. Juvenile Tarpon have been roaming through the deeper areas and are seen roling at the surface during a strong outgoing tide. These areas are so far back that we are even taking nice catches of Largemouth Bass and some truely impressive Channel Catfish as well. The nest baits have been smal minnow imitations such as the Yozuri Pins Minnow and Small Rapalas.
Throughout these areas Large Jacks have been common as well. As we are moving along large blow ups from feeding Jacks seem to appear from nowhere. Casting fast moving plugs at the schools has produced great catches of big Jacks to 20#.
Inside Sarasota Bay clients of Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing have been seeing some consistent action for Snook and Redfish while fishing the many canals adjacent to the ICW at night. SIze of the Snook has been small but the numbers have been up lately. The redfish are holding up with the Snook and some nights it has been hard to get the bait to the Snook because the Redfish have been so active. All of the Redfish have been Slot fish but on the smaller side of the slot around 19" on average.
Along Siesta Key we have also been taking nice catches of Sheephead and Black Drum too. Bouncing small jigs tipped with shrimp through rocky areas or along Oyster bars has been the key to success. The Drum have been around 5# and the Sheephead are getting bigger as time goes on. I expect the real big Sheepies should be arriving soon.
Down in the Everglades Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients have been seeing truely great catches of Oscar, Mayan Cichlid, and Largemouth Bass. Water levels are atill a little high but the fish have retreated to the deeper canals and holes as the temperatures have cooled. It has been common for trips of two anglers to see combined catches of up to 150 fish a day. Small crankbaits such as the Bomber Fat A and Rapala Jointed Shad Rap have been the big producers.