Episodes

  • Sarasota Fishing Forecast: Trout, Reds, and Cobia Await in the Gulf of Mexico

    Sarasota Fishing Forecast: Trout, Reds, and Cobia Await in the Gulf of Mexico
    Dec 1 2024
    As of December 1, 2024, if you're planning to hit the waters of the Gulf of Mexico around Sarasota, Florida, here's what you can expect:

    ### Tidal Report
    Today, the tides are relatively moderate, with a high tide at around 10:30 AM and a low tide at 4:30 PM. These tides should provide good conditions for fishing in the shallow flats and deeper grass flats.

    ### Weather
    The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a gentle breeze, making it a pleasant day for fishing. However, keep an eye out for any cold fronts that might be moving in, as they can affect water conditions and fish behavior.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 6:58 AM, and sunset is at 5:23 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get out on the water.

    ### Fish Activity
    Given the recent storms, water quality might be a bit off, but that hasn't stopped the fish from biting. Yesterday saw a good amount of activity on the deep grass flats, where anglers caught a mix of trout, blues, Spanish mackerel, and pompano. Larger trout and reds were found in the skinny waters, while snook were staging around bars and shallow flats as they move towards their winter areas.

    ### Types of Fish
    Expect to catch a variety of fish including:
    - Trout of all sizes on deep grass flats
    - Reds in the skinny waters
    - Snook around bars and shallow flats
    - Blues, Spanish mackerel, and pompano mixed with trout
    - False albacore, tripletail, and cobia in the coastal gulf

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For the deep grass flats, use CAL jigs with shad tails or DOA Deadly Combos. Fly anglers should opt for small white flies, Ultra Hair Clousers, poppers, or Crease flies. For targeting tripletail and cobia around crab trap floats or buoys, DOA Shrimp or CAL jigs with shad tails work well. For cobia, larger baits like DOA Baitbusters or CAL jigs with 5½” jerk worms are effective.

    ### Hot Spots
    - Deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay for trout, blues, and pompano
    - Skinny waters for larger trout and reds
    - Coastal gulf for false albacore, tripletail, and cobia, especially around crab trap floats and buoys

    Remember to keep an eye on diving terns or terns hovering just above the surface, as they often indicate the presence of feeding fish. And as always, be mindful of our natural resources and practice catch-and-release fishing to help conserve our fish populations. Tight lines
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    3 mins
  • Promising Fishing in Tampa Bay and Sarasota for Redfish, Tarpon, and Snook on November 30, 2024

    Promising Fishing in Tampa Bay and Sarasota for Redfish, Tarpon, and Snook on November 30, 2024
    Nov 30 2024
    For November 30, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around Sarasota and Tampa Bay, is looking promising.

    ### Tidal Report
    Today's tidal conditions are favorable, with a high tide at around 10:30 AM and a low tide at 4:30 PM. The gentle tidal shifts will help in concentrating fish in the usual hot spots.

    ### Weather
    The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 75°F and a low of 60°F. Light winds out of the northwest at about 10 mph will make for a comfortable day on the water.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 6:58 AM, and sunset will be at 5:23 PM, giving you ample daylight to fish.

    ### Fish Activity
    Yesterday saw a good amount of activity, especially for redfish, tarpon, and snook. Captain Geoffrey Page, a local guide, reported catching several large redfish in the shallow waters of Tampa Bay using light tackle and fly fishing gear. Captain Jeff Hagaman also had success with tarpon along the beaches and in Boca Grande Pass.

    ### Types and Amounts of Fish
    Redfish were abundant, with several schools spotted in the flats. Tarpon were also active, particularly in the morning hours. Snook were caught in the mangrove-lined areas, and there were reports of some kingfish and cobia further offshore.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For redfish, using small jigs or spoons with a soft plastic trailer worked well. Fly fishermen had success with shrimp and crab patterns. For tarpon, large streamers and spoons were effective. Snook were caught using live bait such as shrimp and pinfish, as well as lures like DOA shrimp.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Tampa Bay**: The flats around Fort De Soto Park and the mangrove areas near the Skyway Bridge are hot spots for redfish and snook.
    - **Boca Grande Pass**: This area is known for its tarpon activity, especially during the changing tides.
    - **Sarasota Bay**: The shallow waters and grass flats here are ideal for sight fishing redfish and tarpon.

    Overall, it's shaping up to be a great day for fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, with plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of species. Make sure to check the local fishing regulations and enjoy your time on the water.
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    3 mins
  • Sarasota and Tampa Bay Fishing Forecast for November 29, 2024

    Sarasota and Tampa Bay Fishing Forecast for November 29, 2024
    Nov 29 2024
    For November 29, 2024, in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around the Sarasota and Tampa Bay areas, here’s what you can expect:

    ### Weather and Tides
    Today, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 75°F and a low of 60°F. Winds will be light and variable, making for a pleasant day on the water. Tides will be moderate, with a high tide at approximately 10:30 AM and a low tide at 4:30 PM.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 6:58 AM, and sunset will be at 5:23 PM, giving you ample daylight to fish.

    ### Fish Activity
    Despite recent storms affecting water quality, fishing remains promising. In the coastal gulf, you can expect to find Spanish mackerel, false albacore, tripletail, and blues. On the shallow and deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay, look for reds, larger trout, snook, blues, and pompano.

    ### Types and Amounts of Fish
    Yesterday saw good catches of reds, particularly in shallow water around bars, potholes, and docks. Snook were active around lighted docks in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) at night. Trout and pompano were mixed with blues on the deep grass flats.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For reds in shallow water, use CAL jigs with shad tails, grubs, or jerk worms, and gold spoons. Fly anglers should opt for lightly weighted flies such as Clousers, spoon flies, or the Grassett Flats Minnow fly. For snook, live bait like mullet or shrimp works well, especially around lighted docks.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Sarasota Bay**: Focus on the shallow and deep grass flats for a variety of species including reds, trout, and snook.
    - **Coastal Gulf**: Areas around the bars and shallow flats are hot spots for Spanish mackerel, false albacore, and tripletail.

    Remember to check the water quality before heading out, as recent storms may have affected it. Enjoy your day on the water
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    2 mins
  • Promising Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico as Temperatures Cool in Late November

    Promising Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico as Temperatures Cool in Late November
    Nov 28 2024
    As of November 28, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around Florida, is looking promising despite the cooling weather.

    ### Weather and Tides
    The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with mild temperatures, ideal for a day out on the water. Tides are moderate, with a high tide around 10:30 AM and a low tide at 4:30 PM. Sunrise is at 6:53 AM, and sunset will be at 5:23 PM.

    ### Fish Activity
    Yesterday saw a lot of activity from several key species. Flounder are still one of the top targets, with November and December being some of the best months for flounder fishing in the bays and nearshore reefs and wrecks. Anglers reported catching good numbers of flounder using live bull minnows on Carolina rigs, especially on the lee side of reefs and wrecks where the sand bottom provides ideal ambush points[1].

    Speckled trout are also active, particularly on the flats where they are taking topwater lures. Redfish, including both rat reds and large bull reds, are abundant in the bays and passes. Look for schools of reds attacking bait, often indicated by birds working the flats[1].

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For flounder, live bull minnows are the top choice, but flounder belly strips, DOA lures, Savage Shrimp, and Gulp lures also work well. For trout, topwater lures are highly effective. Redfish can be caught using a variety of lures, but live bait such as shrimp or mullet can be very productive[1].

    ### Hot Spots
    One of the hot spots for flounder and redfish is just outside the passes and near shore reefs and wrecks. The Choctawhatchee Bay and the waters around Destin are known for their rich marine life and are great places to target these species. Another good spot is the area around the docks and bridges in the bays, where the sand bottom and access to deep water create ideal conditions for flounder and redfish[1][3].

    Overall, it's a great time to get out on the water and take advantage of the active fish populations in the Gulf of Mexico. With the right lures and bait, and by targeting the right spots, you're likely to have a successful and enjoyable fishing trip.
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    3 mins
  • Exciting Fishing Forecast for Florida's Gulf Coast: Clear Skies, Trout, Redfish, and Reef Bites

    Exciting Fishing Forecast for Florida's Gulf Coast: Clear Skies, Trout, Redfish, and Reef Bites
    Nov 24 2024
    As of November 24, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico along Florida's Gulf Coast is looking promising. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    **Weather and Tides:**
    The weather forecast is favorable, with clear skies and mild temperatures. Tides are expected to be moderate, with a high tide around 10:30 AM and a low tide at 4:30 PM. These conditions should keep the fish active throughout the day.

    **Sunrise and Sunset:**
    Sunrise is at 6:53 AM, and sunset will be at 5:23 PM, giving you ample daylight to fish.

    **Fish Activity:**
    Yesterday saw a lot of activity, particularly with sea trout and redfish. Anglers reported catching plenty of sea trout on expansive weed flats, especially in the bare pockets of these flats. For redfish, docks were the hot spots, with many eater-sized fish caught.

    **Types and Amounts of Fish:**
    Sea trout were abundant, with many slot fish being caught. Redfish were also plentiful, with a focus on eater-sized fish. Reef fishing yielded a variety of snappers and groupers, and there were plenty of sharks in the area as well.

    **Best Lures and Bait:**
    For sea trout, a 1/8 ounce to 1/2 ounce jig paired with a Big Bite Baits Scentsation Slim Minnow has been highly effective. For redfish, using a shrimp or livebait under a popper cork has been the best approach. For reef fishing, free-lining cut bait and live shrimp have been the top choices.

    **Hot Spots:**
    - **Carrabelle:** The weed flats here are ideal for catching sea trout. Look for the bare pockets within these flats for the best results.
    - **Docks:** Docks in the inshore areas are great for catching redfish. Use shrimp or livebait under a popper cork to attract them.
    - **Reefs:** The reefs in the Gulf of Mexico are good for snappers, groupers, and sharks. Free-lining cut bait and live shrimp will increase your chances of a successful catch.

    Overall, the conditions are perfect for a productive day of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Good luck out there
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    2 mins
  • Gulf Fishing Report: Red Snapper, Kingfish, and More Biting Along Florida's Gulf Coast

    Gulf Fishing Report: Red Snapper, Kingfish, and More Biting Along Florida's Gulf Coast
    Nov 23 2024
    As of November 23, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico along Florida's Gulf Coast is looking promising, despite the recent challenges from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    **Weather and Tides:**
    Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 75°F and a gentle breeze out of the northwest at about 10 mph. Tides are relatively favorable, with a low tide at 6:15 AM and a high tide at 12:15 PM. The tidal range is moderate, which should help in stirring up some fish activity.

    **Sunrise and Sunset:**
    Sunrise is at 6:51 AM, and sunset will be at 5:23 PM, giving you ample daylight to get out on the water.

    **Fish Activity:**
    Yesterday saw a good amount of activity, particularly for Red Snapper, thanks to the recent announcement by Governor Ron DeSantis extending the Gulf Red Snapper recreational season by 17 days. This extension includes several weekends and holidays, making it a great time to get out and fish.

    Other species that were active include Kingfish, Bonito, and Spanish Mackerel near the surface, while Grouper and Amberjack were caught on the bottom. Snook and Redfish were also active in the inshore and nearshore waters.

    **Best Lures and Bait:**
    For Red Snapper, using live or frozen bait like shrimp, squid, or pinfish is highly effective. Jigs and spoons can also work well, especially when targeting them on the bottom.

    For Kingfish and Bonito, trolling with spoons or plugs is a good strategy. For Snook and Redfish, light tackle with live bait such as shrimp or small fish, or using soft plastics and jigs, can be very productive.

    **Hot Spots:**
    One of the hot spots right now is the Middle Grounds, about 90 miles offshore from Tampa Bay. This area is known for its diverse fish population, including larger species like Grouper and Snapper.

    Another good spot is near Clearwater, where you can target a range of species including Barracuda, Kingfish, and Jack Crevalle using various techniques like trolling, bottom fishing, and drift fishing.

    Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water in the Gulf of Mexico, with plenty of fish to be caught and favorable conditions to make your day enjoyable.
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    3 mins
  • Fishing the Florida Gulf Coast: Snook, Redfish, and Tidal Insights for November 22, 2024

    Fishing the Florida Gulf Coast: Snook, Redfish, and Tidal Insights for November 22, 2024
    Nov 22 2024
    For November 22, 2024, if you're planning to hit the waters of the Gulf of Mexico around Florida, here's what you can expect:

    ### Weather and Tides
    Today, the weather is looking partly cloudy with a high of 78 degrees and a low of 63 degrees. Expect gentle breezes out of the northwest at about 10 mph. Tides are crucial, especially for inshore fishing. For the Gulf Coast, particularly around the Tampa Bay and John's Pass areas, the high tide is at around 9:30 AM and the low tide at 3:30 PM. Sunrise is at 6:53 AM, and sunset will be at 5:23 PM.

    ### Fish Activity
    Snook and redfish are the stars of the show right now. Snook action has been solid, especially around the passes and bridges. The best times to target them are at night, early morning, and late afternoon when the heat of the day subsides. They are actively chasing live baits like greenbacks, threadfins, and shrimp. During the night, flair hawks and soft plastics are highly effective[1].

    Redfish are plentiful in the back bay waters, particularly around islands, mangroves, dock lines, and oyster bars. Cut baits such as cut threadfins, pinfish, ladyfish, and mullet are working well. Look for them near mullet schools and bird activity during the day[1].

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For snook, live baits like greenbacks, threadfins, and shrimp are top choices. At night, switch to flair hawks and soft plastics. For redfish, cut baits are the way to go, with cut threadfins, pinfish, ladyfish, and mullet being favorites.

    ### Hot Spots
    John's Pass is a hot spot right now, with snook and redfish biting well around the passes, beaches, and flats. The upper and back bay areas are also producing good results. Another good spot is the area around the bridges and dock lines, where snook tend to congregate early in the morning and late in the day[1].

    ### Yesterday's Catch
    Yesterday saw a good number of snook and redfish caught. Anglers reported catching snook in the 20-30 inch range, with some larger ones caught during the night hours. Redfish were abundant, with many in the slot to under slot size, but some bigger ones were caught using cut baits[1].

    Overall, it's shaping up to be a great day on the water, so grab your gear and head out to take advantage of the active fish and favorable conditions.
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    3 mins
  • Gulf of Mexico Fishing Forecast: Navigating Red Tide and Targeting Autumn Predators

    Gulf of Mexico Fishing Forecast: Navigating Red Tide and Targeting Autumn Predators
    Nov 21 2024
    As of November 21, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, is looking promising despite some challenges from red tide.

    **Weather and Tides:**
    The water temperatures are still in the mid-70s, which is slightly warmer than usual for this time of year. Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 75°F and a low of 65°F. Tides are moderate, with a high tide at around 10:30 AM and a low tide at 4:30 PM, making the early morning and late afternoon ideal for fishing.

    **Sunrise and Sunset:**
    Sunrise is at 6:45 AM, and sunset is at 5:15 PM, giving you ample daylight to hit your favorite spots.

    **Fish Activity:**
    The fall mullet run is in full swing, attracting larger predatory species like tarpon, kingfish, and redfish. Yesterday, anglers reported catching several redfish in the 20-25 inch range, along with some snook and speckled trout. The red tide, although present in some areas, has not significantly impacted fishing in all regions. However, it's crucial to check the latest red tide reports, especially in Southwest Florida where bloom concentrations have been observed in counties like Sarasota and Charlotte[2].

    **Best Lures and Bait:**
    For targeting redfish and snook, topwater lures and soft plastics like shrimp or crab imitations are effective. Live bait such as mullet, pinfish, and shrimp are also highly recommended. For tarpon and kingfish, use larger lures like spoons or jigs, or live bait like blue runners or herring.

    **Hot Spots:**
    - **Boca Grande Pass:** Known for its tarpon and snook fishing, this area is particularly active during the fall mullet run.
    - **Sarasota Bay:** Despite some red tide presence, this bay remains a hotspot for catching redfish, snook, and speckled trout.
    - **Destin:** The waters off Destin are great for catching a variety of species including redfish, tarpon, and kingfish, especially around the nearshore reefs and wrecks.

    Remember to stay updated on the red tide status and adjust your fishing plans accordingly. With the right gear and knowledge of the local conditions, you're set for a successful day on the water.
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    3 mins