Fishing in the Gulf?

[CreekChub]

Im headed down to Venice Beach this coming week with my in-laws. Just wondering if anyone had any advice on fishing down there. Theyr members of a boat club so we have access to several different style boats. Anyone have any info on fishing offshore, inshore or from the beach down there? Im not interested in any particular species, just like to get them and myself into some action. Anywhere from Venice to Sarasota is doable for us I think. Appreciate any info I could get.

[kyjake]

Might to want to try the jetties,either north or south jetty park.If you are staying in Venice south will be closer.I like fishing North Jetty Park.
Jake

[kygorski]

Ok the oil might cause a very small problem, but there is rumor that a cane is coming

[bpguy]

I've been fishing the Venice area for 35 years and you are going at a good time. You can catch snook right off of the beach during the mornings by following schools of glass minnows. Snook are in closed season so they must be released. Tarpon should be heating up also, but you might want to go down to Charlotte Harbor and use a guide for this. The jetties are a lot of fun for snook, sheepshead, mangrove snapper,redfish, etc... lots of species around there. Should still be some kingfish and spanish mackeral around also, need to go a mile or more out into the gulf to catch them. Good luck and I hope no oil starts ruining that area.

[walkeraviator]

Here is a map of the fishing closure and oil observations... looks like venice area is good to go for fishing, and according to news reports fishing of teh florida west coast is even better than normal due to fish fleeing the oil spill driving teh populations up around florida... lots of sharter captains are saying it is teh best fishing they have ever seen...




http://gomex.erma.noaa.gov/erma.html...+4951+5018+497

[skeeter11008]

I just returned from Anna Marie Island and absolutely slayed the Pompano, Permit and Mangroves along with several juvenile Blacktip sharks. We caught everything in the surf. Waded out about chest deep and cast to the trough between the sandbars. Used a 7 foot spinning reel with 10 lb test attached to a swivel with about 4 foot 25 lb flouro leader. #2 Owner live bait hook with live shrimp. placed about 4 #5 split shots on the main line above the swivel for casting distance. Cast out then reel back with a sloooooooow retrieve and then hang on. Make sure you get a tide chart and fish the outgoing. Highly recommend Discount Tackle on Anna Marie Island...Hope this helps.
The WalMarts down there sell the Diawa G-Shock spinning combos for around 20 bucks which is what i use every year.Make sure to use plenty of WD-40 and rinse it every night when done with fresh water cause the salt water is harsh on bearings. I recommend even putting some reel grease on the spool, spindle and gears every third day or so.