Siesta Key/Sarasota

[Jacob K.]

I will be vacationing in siesta key in december, from xmas to new years, any suggestions on where and how to fish? I will be fly and spin fishing, what should I bring for lures/flies? I will probably rent a boat for a few days and then do some shore fishing. should I bring waders? any suggestion would be great. thanks

[TBC]

I'm from just north of there in St. Pete so I'm sure there are similarities though I couldn't give you specific locations. Most of the grass flats have been great for speckled trout and redfish. They haven't been huge but the action is really good.

I'm finding the snook in the residential canals and around the mangrove islands.

Offshore, it looks as if most of the kings have moved on already but there have been alot of reports of keeper grouper being caught in the shallower water. Unleass you're very familiar with the area it may be worth the money to get a local gudie to show you around to the local hot spots.

About the waders, I've just never used them here and I do wade a good bit.

I'll see if I can find out more about what to expect down there and repost.

[seatrout]

Though I have not fished there in several years, when I had relatives in the area I used to haunt the passes between the keys as well as the bay inside. The passes always seemed to hold weakfish and reds as well as other critters water temperature dependent. I was there this time of year, so there should be some validity to my recollections.

[TBC]

The responses that I've had about fishing in the bay don't look too good so far. Apparantly a number of species have yet to recover from the massive red tide of last year.

I was pointed to this article from the local paper though, maybe it will be of use.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061124/COLUMNIST22/611240431/1023/SPORTS08

I'll repost if/when I hear.

[TBC]

More information... everyone says to head to Terra Ciea bay. It's a bit of a ride for you but from all reports it would probably be worth it.

It was suggested that you pick up a fla sportsman map at walmart and give the following a try: Long bar, Stevens point, Middle grounds, in front of the Ringling mansion. I'm told that all these spots hold Trout, Lady fish, Jacks, Bluefish.

[titleguy]

Where are you staying on Siesta Key? Bearing in mind that all my Siesta Key knowledge is from Mid-april (albeit 12 years in a row.) At the southern end of Crescent Beach there is a rock formation called "Point O' Rocks"- always holds something. I find big jacks and ladyfish along the beach all the way up to the Pass. Just south of the pass there is a bar/channel formation which is has always been good to me. The bar/channel area is accessed off Siesta Village Drive past the Public Beahc- Beach access 9 or 10, I think. I've caught lots of big ladyfish, jacks, snook, trout, whiting, redfish and even spanish macs there over the years. Intermediate line and chrt/white, pink/white, red/white, blue/white, olive/white size 2 clousers are my go-to.

On the inside, most of the fishing is accessed from the mainland side- just cross over Stickney Point Bridge, and turn right on 41 (south) until you see Vamo Road ( about 3 miles? south) Turn in there and there is a nice flat along Little Sarasota Bay with snook, reds, trout, ladyfish, etc. If you continue south on 41 until you get to the Casey Key sign, turn right and park look for Blackburn Point County Park- wade north from the parking lot nice flat on the lefthand side. About a 20 minute ride from where I stay on Siesta Key.

Mr. CBs Outfitters, right by the bridge is a good fly shop and they are very helpful in there.

And don't forget to go to Capt. Curt's. :-%

[lemaymiami]

Although it's been a few years since we used to let our kids run up down Crescent Beach the info from Titleguy is right on the money... Call CB's for current conditions and remember that if it gets cold, fishing will be tough.

[Jacob K.]

thank you everyone for your help. this sounds like it could be decent fishing. i am not sure where i am staying yet, but i will find out and post. what should i bring for spin fishing? what type of lures?

[titleguy]

Rubber- Storm shads, DOA terror eyes, sluggos, crystal minnows will cover it. I only flyfish there, but have seen guys fishing rubber with good success. :-%

[TBC]

DOA's, Gulp shrimp and shad tails, live shrimp...

[Jacob K.]

thanks for the help....
I will be staying withing walking distance of the public beach... any idea of where I can find some night time snook?

[saltydancindave]

The ICW & if you get a chance go to Snook Alley just north of Venice in Nokomis & Osprey. About 10 miles south of Siesta Key.

[titleguy]

Depending on tide, you can wade on the fenders around Stickney Point Bridge, better from the mainland side (park at Coasters) Also the very end of the road by CBs will get you onto a little flat around the docks. Spin fishing right at CBs will also produce (hard to FF there). There is a big flat north of North Bridge that I have had success on in low light. Cross the bridge into Sarasota and park on the left just over the bridge, There used to be a ladder to get you down the sea wall. DO NOT TRY TO CLIMB ON THE OYSTERS UP OR DOWN. I have the scars to prove it. I have caught jacks, spanish, pompano, trout, snook, ladyfish and small reds on that flat. Point of Rocks (southern end of the beach from where you will be) can produce well in the evening too for snook, small reds, jacks, ladyfish. I hooked a cobia there two years ago, couldn't even dream of stopping it on my 8 wt.

At the far southern end of Siesta Key ( technically might even be on Casey Key since Midnight Pass no longer really exists) is a beach called Turtle Beach- fewer people and a steeper beach than Crescent Beach; I've had some luck there on pompano and snook. Beach snook are tough. I'm not even sure if they are on the beach this time of year- send Rick Grassett an e-mail or call Mr. CBs and they'll give you the lowdown.

All of my fishing there has been in mid-April, but 12 years in a row, so I've gotten to know the area a little. I would definitely put some time in at the end of Siesta- Beach access 9? You'll see what I mean ( north of the catamarans pulled up on the beach). Give us a report. :-%

[Jacob K.]

do i need to bring korkers? I would rather not....

[saltydancindave]

Leave the Korkers, but bring a pair of flats shoes or flats booties for the oyster bars & learn to do the stingray shuffle ! --127-3-