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Sarasota Saltwater Report Updated May 15, 2011

Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sarasota Florida Fishing Report
By Capt. Bob Smith



The last few months have been very good for us on the bay and coastal
waters, plenty of Spanish mackerel and spotted seatrout on most of the
bay
grass flats. The smaller and larger fish have been in separate
schools,
with the larger fish, both mackerel and trout running 3 to 6 pounds.
There
has also been a large variety of fish feeding on the grass, small
sharks,
bluefish, pompano, flounder, jacks, and ladyfish, etc. I have been
anchoring and using large live shrimp and DOA shrimp on a popping
float this
year more, than I ever have in past years. High winds of 20+ mph
have not
been a deterrent to the fish chewing on the grassflats, as long as you
know
where to anchor up and wait because it is never a 24/7 chew.

The coastal fishing has also been good. The larger tarpon are in and
a few
have been spotted in the passes but most will be running along the
beach.
The reefs have been active with a variety of fish and sharks most of
the
time. We have caught more hogfish this year than ever before but we
never
caught many before. A few cobias have been caught, but there has not
been a
good run yet. Some king mackerel are being caught and even a sailfish
was
caught in 55' of water on Capt. Johnny Long's guide boat.

Enjoy & Protect
My Website: http//www.sarasota-fla-fishing.com



Thank you!
Capt. Bob Smith
Phone: (941) 366-2159 Cell: (941) 350-8583.
Email: capt.bobsmith@verizon.net
My Website: http://www.sarasota-fla-fishing.com

Enjoy and Protect Capt. Bob Smith
sarasotafishing@verizon.net
2529 Temple Street, Sarasota, FL 34239
Phone: (941) 366-2159,
Cell: (941) 350-8583, Fax: (941) 362-4040
 

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I got serious about bass fishing the first minute I did it. After more than fifty years of serious bass fishing alot of experience and information has come my way. Alot of it through tought times and tough doings. Alot of it through the pure pleasure of pursuiting my favoritest pastime to its fullest. In the late 1960's bass fishing began to take leaps and bounds in popularity and in the sharing of information. Competition began! Not only did competition begin on the water but in the boating industry, tackle industry and clothing industry.

Those "jump suits" Ray Scott tried to put us all in are another story. My first bass boat was a pair of sneekers I used to wade the streams of Missouri in. Then came those 20" john boats that floated the streams. And one day we got a three horse to push that thing up a shoal. WOW! That was a treat back then. I guarantee you it was alot better than pulling a 20' john boat up a shoal. Later a 5 hp, then a ten, one day a hundred, and so on. Well, boats grew and finally trailers did.

I remember the first time I saw a Wonder State Trailer. Here was a trailer with a huge frame, giant 14 inch wheels and bearings you could lube from the outside. No need to take the wheel apart to lube the bearings. And.... YES!!! You DROVE, I say again...You DROVE the boat on the trailer. It was in the early 70's that I saw this trailer. If you were someone you had one of theese. That trailer set the prototype of design for other trailer manufacturers to follow. While Wonder State Trailers fell by the way side and is no longer manufacturing trailers, their original concept of a solid frame, large wheels, and a drive on platform remains the standard of trailer manufacturing.

Over all the years I have been in the public eye, or out dealing with the public I can't possibly imagine how many times I have been asked about bass boats. You know every one has an opinion and every one has a favorite. I do not remember ever answering a trailer question. The wrong trailer, or an improper trailer can lead to a world of problems. Most trailers are well made and will do the job. You can go to any boat dealer and select the boat of your choice. But, guess what, unless you special order a boat you get what ever trailer is under the boat. That should get you to thinking. Not that it is usually a problem. But there are some things to consider.

I have two bass boats now. So, I have two trailers. One boat is a 20 foot...all boat.... boat. And the other is a little shy of 18 feet with lots of back and a pointed front. Not as much weight. But, a well built boat. Each comes with the manufacturers trailer. Each trailer made to fit the boat it is under. Each trailer was manufactured by the boat manufacturer. There are trailer companies that manufacturer trailers for several different boat manufacturers.

I know your boat is important. One dealer can reduce the price of a boat package by short changing you on a trailer. You pay less and get less. Does it make a difference. Yes. A trailer is important. Think of a boat trailer as a frame. You would not put a subcompact frame under a pick-up truck body.

What to look for in a trailer. Things I have found in my years of pain and gain to be of importance. Does the trailer have enough guts to hold up the boat? Is the freame strong enough? Is the frame treated for the kind of water you will put your boat into? There is only one trailer tire to put on a boat trailer. If you go any where or do any towing, at all, the only trailer tire you should allow on your boat trailer is a Goodyear Marathon Trailer Radial!!!! These tires carry 50 lbs of pressure. I have NEVER had a problem with one. Some manufacturers put tires that look pretty on the trailer. Well.....my tire is supposed to hold my boat. It needs to be the best.

Was the trailer made with my boat brand and model in mind? If so, that is AWESOME! If not, look for another trailer. Does the trailer offer any kind of protection for occupants in a vehicle in the event the vehicle has a head on? Or if the boat is hit from the rear? Boats have been known to come through the back window of vehicles in head on collisions or in the event the boat is hit in the rear. What kind of protection is awailable? If the front eye of the boat is BELOW the front roller and the hook to the winch hooks on to the bow eye below the roller you are set. If not, there are chains and ties available that go from the trailer frame to the bow eye of the boat. Back tie downs are essential and valubale but, not very helpful in a collission. Back tie downs are designed to hold the boat on the trailer as it travels down the road- basically- to keep the boat from bouncing on the trailer.

Brakes!!! Essential!!! I HIGHLY reccommend disc brakes. They are easier to maintain and easier to take care of. They also work better and work longer. Years ago Chevrolet had an advertisement on television with a Chevy Luv Truck towing a railroad car. AWESOME display of power. Well...... they never showed you the truck trying to stop that railroad car. Think of your tow vehicle as the Luv Truck and the railroad car as your boat. What is the relationship of weight to weight? Your tow vehicle better be way more than what it is towing. Brakes help on the trailer, but, there is a limit. A four wheel drive goes great in the snow and ice, but, it stops the same as a two wheel drive. The best vehicles have four wheel disc brakes- most of the stopping power comes from the front brakes- front brakes on almost all vehicles are disc brakes- why not disc brakes on the trailer that carries your prized possession?

Look over the photo carefully. You will note that the axle and tires are gone. Where did they go? The trailer owner never found them. This trailer dissentigrated from under the boat. The owner had gone off to buy a new trailer while the pieces of the old trailer and boat laid on the road waiting for his return. Oh, they had to gather the pieces of the old trailer and put them by the boat that was dropped on the road.

Legendary Professiona Angler and Guide, Hugh Crumpler, takes his clients out catching in Stick Marsh and Farm 13, Florida. Hugh' website, www.HughCrumpler.Com offers guide service, photos, lake maps and more.

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Jacksonville Fishing Report Updated February 2, 2012

Ahoy there Anglers,

There are a few things I want to talk about. First, Rick Hale of
Rick's Bait & Tackle Store and I have been on the phones getting
support for the Recreational Fishing Alliance's North Florida Chapter
and I have to say we've really been making progress in fighting the
non-scienced-based fishing closures that the Eviro-nut backed Feds are
forcing on all anglers. Just since our first RFA Rally we held
November 1st we've had loads of support from area anglers, inshore and
offshore alike. This is exactly what we all need, support from the
fishing community. If we're going to stand up against these enviro-
nuts that want our boats off the water, want our fishermen and women
off the shoreline, off the piers and off the bridges and private docks
even, then we need to stand together and grow our 'army' and show the
politicians that "WE FISH AND WE VOTE".
This is our time. It's not about Republicans or Democrats or
Independents. It's about a love for a National pastime that's been
enjoyed for centuries, fishing. Anglers are in all parties. Please
come to our next RFA Rally. Get educated about what's happening that
you don't see in the news or in the paper. It's free.

Our first RFA Rally held Nov. 1st, with only 3 days notice, had over
170 anglers attend. A great showing! The second RFA Rally was held
Dec. 6th and we had 250 anglers willing to stand up and make a
difference. Our next Rally is March 6th at 7:00pm at the Sneakers
Sports Grill 8133 Point Meadow Road right at Baymeadows Road and 9-A
X-way. RFA Members please bring your membership cards for special
drawings for some great prizes or you can join right on the spot. If
you fish and want to keep being able to fish and have your children
and grandchildren be able to enjoy a day on the water then you need to
be there ! We'll have Senator George LeMieux and congressman Ander
Crenshaw speaking at this Rally. Our rights are being taken from us,
almost weekly now, with more and more species closures and area
closures and most of these closures and new restrictions are being
done "back-door" wise before anyone even hears about them until
they're done and passed. The RFA is on YOUR SIDE right there in
Congressional Hearings and Senate Meetings each and every week
speaking up for YOUR rights ! Fishing is America's number 1 pastime
and American's have been fishing even before there was a U.S.
Government. Help us help you ! Join the Recreational Fishing Alliance.
It's only $35.00 per year. Some people will pay $50 to $100 to go
fishing but won't pay $35 to protect that right to fish. The RFA needs
you as much as you need them.

I also want to thank the companies that are partnering with the
North Florida Chapter of the RFA. Please thank Nimnicht Chevrolet. If
you let them know you like their support of the RFA they are going to
donate $100 for every truck they sell this year. Please thank the
Coastal Angler Magazine. They have been gracious enough to help with a
half page ad to let people know who to join to keep their rights.
Great fishing articles and local fishing reports in the Coastal Angler
keeps you informed as to what's happening and where. Pick up your
copy, it's free at many Gate Stations, bait shops and tackle stores.
Please thank the Fishing Connection Paper because they are also
keeping you informed about our RFA Rallys and when to be there.
It does take money to get the word out to anglers who have no idea
what's being done behind closed doors. It takes money to have someone
there in Washington, every week, fighting to keep your right to not
only fish but to boat and be able to keep enough fresh fish, (at least
some of their catch) for family and friends to enjoy. Help tell the
National Marine Service and the enviro-nuts that no one owns the fish
in the ocean or the rivers until they're in your cooler. Come on, it's
$35 to join. Please, help us help you before it's too late !
RFA Mission Statement:
Safeguarding the rights of saltwater anglers.
Protecting marine, boat and tackle industry jobs.
Ensuring the long-term sustainability of our nation's fisheries.

CREEKS:
The redfish in the shallows are really doing good. Catches of 10 to 28
slot-sized fish on each trip are making news. Remember, the new bag
limit for Florida redfish started February 1st is 2 redfish per person
per day, 8 per boat maximum, (so if there is 5 of you then you on
board a boat you cannot keep over 8). No more closed season on spotted
sea trout and the limit has been raised to 6 per person per day, same
slot size as before. Reds in the shallows during the calm wind days
are showing themselves everywhere. Trout, mostly small shorties but
some real nice ones up to 4 1/2 pounds are being caught with some
regularity again. A couple flounder here and there but not many. Start
looking for more to show up when the water warms to about 72-74
degrees. A few black drum and some big sheepshead have shown up in the
creeks during the incoming tides. We've had a few 9 to 10 pound
sheepshead caught on a quartered up crab in the creeks on the higher
water. Some have even shown their tails on oyster beds but not in the
flooded grass.

JETTIES:
The sheepshead really slowed down a few weeks ago and are expected to
fire off almost any time now. I've been checking my logs and have seen
a pattern of them picking up about a week and a half to 2 weeks before
the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament each year. The tournament is
always the last Saturday of February which is the 25th this year so
I'm predicting they'll fire up really good in another week or so.
We're already catching some good 8 to 11 pounders in the deep water
areas so it's coming for sure.
I'll be conducting a "Preparing for the 2012 El Cheapo Sheepshead
Tournament Seminar" Thursday evening, February 16th at 6:00pm. Please
come to see me if you can. Black drum are being caught at all the
jetties and some have been the giants. Please release these breeders.
There aren't many this time of the year but they are what's giving us
our table-sized ones to be able to enjoy for dinner. There'll be a lot
more of them after the full moon in March through the first half of
April. Ringtail porgies are being caught at the rocks also. These are
an overlooked fish as they're just like a sheepshead only smaller.
Member of the same family. Slot-sized redfish and oversized redfish
are chewing at the rocks also. I haven't seen a black margate this
year yet and the mangrove snapper never really showed up either.
Spotted sea trout, yellow mouth trout and whiting are being caught
between the hundreds of little sea bass.

RIVERS:
Whiting in the Nassau river hasn't fired off yet but most any day now.
These are great tasting, clean fish to eat. I love them fried in
peanut oil. A few black drum in the St. Mary's River, Nassau River,
Ft. George Inlet, St. Johns River and Sebastian Inlet. These drum are
running between 4 and 16 pounds with a couple giants here and there to
85 pounds so far. Tiny sea bass everywhere. I think they'll be a
problem fish in trying to target other species soon. Sort of like the
closed-down red snapper offshore. You can't hardly catch anything else
for catching big red snapper everywhere. Spotted sea trout along the
rock banks and grass edges during the higher tides along with a
redfish or two when you're lucky. I love the Bomber Long-A's in
targeting these guys in the rivers and the Cove. There are a few large
croakers found in the St. Johns River lately along with some nice
whiting. Yellowmouth trout are chewing again also.

MILL COVE:
Spotted trout and redfish are the main players in the Cove right now.
There are a couple black drum and a few yellowmouths being caught but
anglers are mostly targeting the trout and redfish. Float a live
shrimp on a 2/0 Eagle Claw Khayle hook along the grass edges during
the higher tides for both species. Top waters are a load of fun but
the bite comes and goes during the cooler water temperatures. I know
it's been 60 to 61 degrees in these areas but it's still a little cool
for a good top water bite to happen. You can still catch them on top
waters now, especially the trout, but it's not quite as good as it
will be in April, may and June. I like the Super Spook Jr's in the
redfish color and the speckled trout color and the red head-white body
works well also. Bomber Long A's in the blue back color works well for
me also. The reds will be puching wakes also in the shallows around
the islands and the banks during the lower tides but you need to know
where you're going especially on our full moon and new moon low tides
or you could get stuck for a few hours.

JAX. BEACH PIER:
Small bluefish, small to medium whiting with a few bull whiting are
chewing real good and a few small pompano are being caught also. A
couple sheepshead around the piling being seen but the bite for them
is slow. Look for the bite to really pick up for the whiting and more
as the water temps begin to rise.

Remember, please secure your trash in your boat, on the bridges and
docks and please keep it out of our beautiful waterways. We've all got
to help Mother Nature. She helps feed us, when the Feds allow it.


Thank you,
Captain Vic Tison
Host of the Still Just Fishing Radio Show, 600 WBOB, Saturdays 6:00 to
8:00am
United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain
International Game Fish Assoc. Certified Captain
Chairman of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, North Florida Chapter
Regional Director for the Florida Guides Association
Member of the National Assoc. of Charterboat Operators, NACO
Member of the American Professional Captain's Association
Vic2Fish & Adventures, Inc.
P O Box 28208
Jax., Fl. 32226
904-699-2285
Web Site http://vic2fish.com

Captain Vic Tison, USCG Licensed
P. O. Box 122
Jacksonville, Florida 32219
Phone Number: (904) 765-4936
or pager (904) 636-4987
VIC2FISH@aol.com
 

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