07-14-2002, 09:21 PM
July 14, 2002<br><br>Sarasota Fla. Fishing Report<br><br>By Capt. Bob Smith<br><br>Sweet and Sour is the best way I can express our fishing conditions at this time. I was restricted to the bay for the few days I was able to get out fishing. Although there has been plenty of Spanish mackerel and little tunny action around the (M) reef, the weather has been unstable. Dodging the storms and with uncomfortable sea conditions at best, it is the price we need to pay for the much needed rain.<br><br>We could find fish most of the time on the bay, but very few keeper size trout. The live shrimp are very small now and only good for tipping your jigs. Fishing the grass flats with jigs and sinking plugs as slow as possible without getting hung-up on the bottom too much has worked for us. Almost as slow as working a plastic worm for freshwater bass.<br><br>You can still hook-up with the occasional tarpon, snook or redfish but don't plan on it. We need the weather to stabilize and our fishing will improve as we get into our summer pattern. If you get offshore to the artificial reefs, be sure to take some small crabs along for permit. You can sight-fish for the permit or just free-line the bait out. Don't go too light on your tackle, I like 12lb test line. Permit like to circle your boat and any debris in the water may cut lighter line.<br><br>Enjoy and Protect<br><br>For more information on Sarasota's Sportfishing, please visit my Website: http://www.sarasota-fla-fishing.com<br><br><br><br><br><br>