Report: Sarasota Area / Southern Tampa Bay

The weather is hot and so is the fishing right now. The best bet to beat the heat and take in some amazing fishing opportunities is to hit the water early and late. Ealry mornings and evening fishing are producing the two best bites right now for a number of popular sport fish including Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, Snapper, Grouper and Tarpon. Of all of these fish it is by far the Snook fishing that is absolutely off the hook ( forgive the unintentional pun ). Big Snook continue to turn up everywhere from the beaches to the tangled mangroves of backwater areas, and from the grass flats to the bridges and docks along the ICW. Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients have been catching great numbers of Snook within or over the slot size limit and some of these fish have even been over 20# in size. The use of circle hooks only for all inshore fishing by Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing has also meant that all of these amazing fish are quickly released with little or no injury to keep this amazing fishery alive and well.

Redfish are also getting clients of Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing excited this month and both morning and evening trips are producing good numbers of Redfish within and above the slot size limits. When the tides are low or dropping we have been concentrating on deep holes on the grass flats for Redfish and we have even been finding "tailers" in many out of the way areas that don't see heavy fishing pressure. At night some of the areas we have been fishing are so congested with Redfish that while targeting Snook we can't get a bait or lure to the linesiders because the reds are so active.

Big Sea Trout are still active on the flats mainly early in the morning just before and after sunrise as well as just before and after sunset. Topwater baits have been a huge successs when drawing out larger trout from the shallow grass.

The Snapper bite is hot right now inshore around mangroves, docks, bridges, and any other underwater structure. These schools are feeding with the tides and a good flow either out or in is essential for the best bite. Casting baits ahead of the targeted areas and working them back with the tide is a sure way to fast action.

Other fish that Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients are encountering right now include Sheepshead, Black Drum, smaller Tarpon from 20# -50#, Gag and Red Grouper in deeper areas, and even a few Cobia following large schools of Rays through the shallows.

If you are looking for a great day of getting tugged on by some fish of bigger size then the catch and release action for Sharks is really hot right now. Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients have caught and released great numbers of Bull, Blacktip, Hammerhead, and Bonnethead Sharks in southern Tampa Bay. This is a great chance for light tackle and fly enthusiasts to sight fish some larger fish in the shallows.

The Everglades

Recents rains have raised the water levels in the Everglades canal systems but the fishing is still very good. Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients are still catching awesome numbers of Largemouth Bass, Oscar, Mayan Cichlid, and some huge Bowfin. The most productive baits for clients have been the small jointed Rapala crankbaits. These versitile lures can be worked in a number of different ways and speeds to encourage even the most stubborn fish to bite. Catch rates of over 100 fish per angler a day continue to be the norm. We are also seing more and more Peacock Bass in many of these areas far from their established ranges in southeast Florida.

Peacock Bass & Exotics

The Peacock Bass bite is still very good down in the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale area canals and lakes. I just returned from south Miami where I was filming a segment for my new video blog (see below for details of launch date) and we really had an exceptional two days of fishing with many, many Peacocks caught and released over two days. Many of these fish were larger than average and ran from 5# up to a great 9#. Topwaters, fast moving crankbaits, and live Shiners all produced well. The fish are heading into their second spawn ( they spawn around three times a year in the more southern areas ) and while this isn't as good as the first spawn it is still a great time to get down for some really good sight fishing opportunities - especially for fly fishing enthusiasts.

The Snakeheads are also biting well right now in the more northern canals around Ft. Lauderdale. Topwater fishing at it's finest for any fishing enthusiast. These fish are fast and have a showy and viscious topwater explosion when they hammer topwater baits worked quickly over the surface of the water.

Freshwater

The Largemouth Bass have taken to deeper waters and stay off of the shallow flats during much of the day as the Florida sun beats down. But early mornings and evenings have been producing a steady bite. Clients of Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing have made some impressive catches of Largemouth up to 8# recently. The best fishing has been late at night after the sun has gone down. The few clients brave enough to venture out after dark and fight off the mosquitos have been reward with some of the best topwater Bass fishing I have seen in a while.

The Florida Keys

The Keys are a gem for any fishing enthusiast. Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing has been down to the Key Largo and Islamorada area twice this month with clients and the fishing was very good. Getting out early in the morning we were rewarded with nice catches of Barracuda, Permit, Sharks, and Snapper. The water is a little bit too warm for an effective shallow water bonefish bite but they are out there if you invest the time.

NEW Online Video Blog

I am kicking off a new feature on my website. It is called The Kayak Fishing Diaries and it is my new blog that will include video clips and my own personal viewpoints on a number of kayak fishing related issues and gear, as well as my own personal log of trips to some of the coolest fishing locations anywhere. It is free and will be up and running this Friday July 17, 2009. Check it out.

2009/2010 "Big Trips" Schedule Released

The Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing schedule of "Big Trips" is now ready to be released and will also be available online at my website www.suncoastkayaksportfishing.com on July 17, 2009. These are multiple day trips for anglers wishing to take advantage of the hot fishing opportunities here in Florida for more than just a 4 or 8 hour trip. These trips are also priced at a group rate making them more affordable - more fishing for your buck! This years trips include the Florida Keys, Everglades, Peacock Bass, and even Striper Fishing in the panhandle.These trips include lodging as well to futher help make it more affordable on each angler. Also included are a number of our now famous backcountry camping and kayak fishing trips into some remote fishing areas for access to some of the best fishing in low pressure areas. Check out the website and take advantage of these great opportunities. Spaces are limited on each trip and are on a first come - first serve basis.

DVD's From Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing

Finally, Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing is set to release the first of many kayak fishing releated DVDs. Available August 1, 2009 - Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing will release two DVDs on kayak fishing to the public. The first two titles will be Kayak Fishing For Snook Vol. 1 and Kayak Fishing For Bass Vol. 1. Both will be available online for purchase. Clips from both DVDs will be available for viewing on July 17, 2009 at www.suncoastkayaksportfishing.com .

Tight Lines to all! Hope to see you on the water.