Report: Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing has been concentrating the majority of charters in the Sarasota area in the backwaters of area rivers. These areas are a gold mine for anglers seeking late winter and early spring Snook fishing. While the flats and bays are pretty much devoid of good Snook fishing this time of year because of low water temperatures (remember that Snook cannot tolerate water temperatures much below 60° F) and these backwaters offer refuge and warmer waters in which they can survive the colder months. Clients of Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing have been finding great numbers of Snook readily taking baits throughout the river systems we are fishing in southern Sarasota County, while anglers out on the flats have been restricted to mainly Ladyfish, Jacks, and a few Sea Trout.

During charters into these backwaters, Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients have also been rewarded with amazing catches of chunky Largemouth Bass, Redfish, and even some very large Tilapia will occasionally take a bait. The most exciting part of these trips though has been the number of larger Snook. The average Snook has run from 23” to 29” but much larger Snook have been encountered but unfortunately the relatively light tackle and immense amounts of natural structure have lead to many break-offs.

Out in the bays Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing has been mainly concentrating on night fishing opportunities in Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay, and Little Sarasota Bay. These trips have yielded good numbers of smaller Snook in some areas, as well as larger than average Mangrove Snapper, Bluefish, and some nice sized Sea Trout too. As long as the cold fronts weren’t barreling down on us these trips were very good producers of consistent action. While day trips into the backwater areas are great for more experienced anglers looking for bigger fish, night trips provide an easy way for more novice anglers to get good numbers of a number of species with relative ease.

Down in the Everglades Canal System the fishing for Largemouth Bass has been on fire. This is the best time of year for customers who are looking to post big numbers to cash in on some great fishing opportunities. Water levels have been dropping and the fish are becoming more and more concentrated in the deeper canal waters and less on the sawgrass flats. Catches of up to 100 fish a day are the norm this time of year with the bulk of the catch being Largemouth Bass, as well as exotics such as Oscar and Mayan Cichlid. Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing clients who have been down to the Everglades on charters have been rewarded for their efforts with some bass up to 9# in the mix and becoming more frequent as the water levels drop.

The most exciting freshwater fishing in south Florida is just starting to kick off. Peacock Bass are beginning to pair up and prepare to spawn in many of the southernmost canal systems in and around Miami. Only just this week has Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing begun seeing fish in the 7# and 8# range for the first time in a couple months. This is the best time of year to really cash in on great number of larger Peacocks. While in the Miami area Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing has also been targeting Tarpon at night along bridges. Clients have jumped 15 fish on three trips and brought 9 to boat side for quick release.

April will see the transition from winter like patterns to more summer fishing patterns. The Snook are already moving out of the backcountry and staging up along the deeper holes on the flats and river mouths. As the water temperatures continue to climb action for these linesiders will only get better. The night bite for Snook is also kicking into high gear and this is the time to find a true trophy Snook along bridges near river mouths. Fishing the many dock lights in south Florida will also produce great numbers of Snook. As April progresses the Snook will take up more typical locals such as mangrove lines, shallow flats, and begin moving into the passes by May.

The Redfish bite has been pretty consistent lately and should continue through April. The majority of the fish have come while fishing docks and structure for Sheepshead (a winter staple here in Florida) but good schools can be found on the flats in northern Sarasota Bay, southern Tampa Bay, and in Charlotte Harbor. Most of the fish we have been encountering on charters have been in the low slot size but some real big Reds have actually come from the rivers while Snook fishing - a really welcome by catch.

Fishing for Sea Trout on the flats is set to really kick off with the warmer water temperatures. While some respectable numbers of these local favorites have been able to be targeted along deeper drop offs and flats all winter, the warmer temperatures will send them on a feeding blitz soon and they will once again be patrolling more shallow flats. The Pompano are also still around but not as common as they were. April should continue to see a few scattered Pompano taken while looking for Sea Trout.

April will see the influx of Spanish and King Mackerel into the near shore and inshore waters of south Florida. They have already begun to show up in fishable numbers and will continue to get better as the month continues.

The Peacock Bass bite is really kicking off right now and April will be an awesome opportunity for anyone looking to catch larger Peacocks. The Peacocks are already pairing up to spawn and this means bigger fish, more consistent fishing, and many great sight fishing opportunities. This time of year sees improved catch rates and fish from 5# to 8# become very common, with bigger fish always a possibility. The other non-native exotics in these same areas will also be biting well. On these trips there is always a possibility of catching exotic species like Oscar, Mayan Cichlid, Midas Cichlid, Tilapia, Jaguar Guapote, and many more. Next to the Peacock Bass the Snakehead is my favorite non-native freshwater fish and they will begin roaming the shallows of a few of the more northern canals in SE Florida in April. This is exciting fishing as we target Snakeheads with top water baits in shallow grass, producing explosive top water hits and vicious battles. Well worth the time and effort to target.

Freshwater fishing in south Florida is already in full swing. The Largemouth Bass have begun to bed and bigger fish are becoming more and more common in area canals from Sarasota down through Naples and over to Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. Small lakes are also producing well. All of the efforts by Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing to get clients trophy Largemouth are concentrated in these small out of the way areas with little fishing pressure. So far this year clients have already begun taking fish in the 5# to 8# range with good frequency and already a couple of 10# fish have been caught and released. April will see increased action for Largemouth and the action should remain very good until warmer water temps drive the bigger fish back into deeper waters.

The Florida Keys are set to explode with great fishing action in April. Warmer water means Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon will once again be roaming the flats. Already we are seeing tarpon action in Miami along bridges and in Government Cut but this is only the beginning of the action. Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing will be concentrating a lot of time down in the Keys this coming month for Bonefish and Permit. I was in the area just last week and the action was much better than I expected. I encountered good fishing with a couple clients in the Key Largo area for Snapper, Barracuda, and even had a few shots at Bonefish but they were too skittish.

Don't miss out on the exciting multiple day trips that Sun Coast Kayak Sport Fishing will be running to the Florida Keys and the Miami area for Peacock Bass. Visit www.suncoastkayaksportfishing.com for more information.