Saltwater Fishing Report for Sarasota, Florida.

Gator Trout Unless you are planning to make a 40 mile run offshore, barracuda has been the best action around the artificial reefs. (M-7) has been the hottest spot and live Threadfin herring the best bait. Bottom fishing from the (I) reefs out to the (M) reefs has produced mostly small fish with just a few keeper snapper and black seabass. Some large tarpon and the occasional cobia have been caught along the beaches but some days draw a blank. The bite has been a bit better in the afternoon. The north side of Big Pass along Lido beach has been active. Big seatrout are plentiful along the north side of Longbar but the key is to use live pigfish on a popping float for bait. Small pigfish can be caught on the bay using chum and a castnet. You can use other baits for the big trout, but the ratio is about 10 to 1 in favor of the pigfish. Pompano and bluefish are showing up around the bay. Large ten pound jacks are also on the bay and concentrated around the bridge pylons. The big jacks will give you a good pull and are a lot of fun. You can also find them along the surf and some of the sandbars. Enjoy and Protect