Sarasota Bay & Nearby Areas

November 24th, 2008

Fishing Report 11/24/2008 – Capt. Terry Frankford

With the November weather being windy and cold at times it made for a tough month of fishing. Fortunately in the Sarasota area if you can make it across open bay areas without getting wet shelter can be found on the leeward side of islands and keys.

This is what I did with several trips this month making for snook, redfish, and trout action along with several additional species. I have to say though at times my anglers chuckle because they are coming from seven degree weather wearing shorts and a wind breaker on the boat when I have layered clothing on - I suppose it's all relative.

A couple fish tails enjoyed aboard the Reelin & Chillin:

The McDonald's, Jake, Sheri, Gray, and Luke caught plenty of species. The boys did great with Gray breaking the ice - a nice flounder, then Luke a big trout. Mom and Dad didn't do to bad either with redfish and trout. We didn't manage to pick up dinner, the red Sheri caught was just under the slot, and the trout are out of season, if not they would have had three slot size trout. Still a great family day on the water catching plenty of fish.

It was a great day on the bay for Julian Mojica, son Julian, Grandpa Eddie Reyes, and Gus Monsango who managed to pick up enough fish for a nice dinner. All caught fish, however for some reason Grandpa Eddie seemed to be the only one putting dinner on the table. He caught all four fish that made the slot. Starting with two reds twenty-four and twenty-six inches. A little later a gray snapper hit the live well, then a last minute flounder at fourteen inches ate his shrimp. Both Julian (Dad) and Grandpa picked up snook to twenty-six inches, not in the slot, but a blast to catch on light tackle. Gus had a good light tackle battle with a big ladyfish. The big catch of the day was seven year old Julian who was fishing with only eight pound test line. Julian caught and released a twenty-eight inch redfish. Dad did help a little, however Julian claimed rights to "Big Fish of the Day". Way to go Julian.

Captain's Tip

Time to pray for calm waters, and a mild winter - the near shore artificial reefs can produce some great action if conditions are right. Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, lesser amberjack, little tunny, and barracuda all are possibilities. Inshore big reds may school, snook are coming to the warmer waters around islands, mangroves and under docks. Trout are also looking for warmer water so look for areas where the water isn't moving to much or has deeper/darker bottom that creates warmth. Be sure to check for closed seasons for the snook and trout in your area, I don't want to quote a season because it does vary in the State of Florida.