06-08-2001, 11:53 PM
June 8, 2001<br><br>Sarasota Fla. Fishing Report<br><br>By Capt. Bob Smith<br><br>Big kingfish are still being caught around M-7! The larger kings are hanging around the large schools of baitfish within a half mile of the reef structure. Smaller kings are around the structure but the barracuda will probably cut them in half before you can boat them. On the structure, we found plenty of ten pound amberjack, little tunny, barracuda, shark and some nice permit. M-5 was also hot with the same action. There are plenty of mangrove snapper on the bottom but you can hardly get them past the jewfish (Giant grouper). We had three jewfish at a time coming up for our AJ's. We had plenty of baitfish around the reefs but you needed to work your bait rigs across the top to catch them. You will need to bring some crabs or shrimp if you want try for the permit.<br><br>Dolphin have been plentiful 30 to 40 miles offshore but we did find a school just inside of M-7. You need to keep your eyes open for them this time of year.<br><br>My tarpon fishing has been less than satisfactory this year. The tarpon had a late start and then we had west winds that made the beaches very choppy. We also have had cloudy water and that makes them hard to see if they are not on top. We have been able to find them but they have been coming up only once and giving us no time to setup on them. The crabs have been small due to the lack of rain. Need I say more?<br><br>The bay has been good for seatrout and snook but the reds have been on the slow side. Live shrimp and whitebait have been doing the trick but it has also been a good time for artificial baits. <br><br>One of the big problems on the (I) and some of the (M) reefs, is the large numbers of bluerunners. They are good to eat, please take my bluerunner.<br><br>Enjoy and Protect<br><br>http://www.sarasota-fla-fishing.com <br><br><br>