Sarasota And Salt Water Fishing

[UncleMo]

Hi, can someone tell me how to start learning about salt water fishing?  I'd like to start doing it in Florida but not so much in the bay area, but rather on the gulf side, and I'd like to do some salt water fishing.

 

I'm assuming this website doesn't help with that, and if not, can someone tell me where to learn to start immediately?

 

I need to know what beaches allow for this, lures to use, fishes to expect to catch with the lures I buy, and types of poles to buy.  I'd be grateful.

[Alex_bassman]

I live about 30 minutes from sarasota the van wezel pier has MASSIVE sheephead under it right now. Get some shrimp and drop them right next to the pilings. also if you can make the drive there is a good snook spot about 5 minutes from my house. I mostly use yozuri hardplastics for saltwater.

 

PS welcome to the forum.

PPS dont forget about the awesome bass fishing we have around here.

[SirSnookalot]

I fish saltwater every day.  Having my roots in freshwater at first I came with every imaginable lure known to man, only to discover in short order that only a few are needed.  2 lures are must, being a bucktail jig and a silver spoon, hard jerkbaits like an xrap work well as does a fluke mounted on a plain jig head, I would round it out with a top water plug or a mirrorlure twitchbait, any thing else is more for your own variety.

If I were to start with 1 rod it would be a mh spinning rod, one with a wide lure range of of 1/4 or 1/2 to 1.5 or 2 oz, I have several that fit those parameters.  A 4000 series reel and 20# braid and you are ready for just about anything from a blue runner to a juvenile tarpon, snook or redfish.

Certain species do not strike artificial, like a sheephead, tree & rock crabs and barnacle scrapings are the most popular baits used around here, but they are pretty much gone for the season now.  Sand fleas are killer for pompano but they do hit small jigs too.

[UncleMo]

Thanks guys.  I'm getting a new rod tomorrow or the next day.

 

I saw someone get a ladyfish using a mirror lure so that was a good learning experience together with what you guys just told me.  Thanks for the help. 

[SirSnookalot]

Ladyfish are called the poor man's tarpon (same family), these fish can strip out amazing amounts of line for a smallish fish, most don't go over 5#, so much fun to catch.  When they start running, which in my area is late August the best lure to use is a spoon because spoons are indestructible except for the hooks, I would recommend replacing the treble with a single hook.  Ladyfish will destroy your lures, like a tarpon their mouth is rock hard, unlike tarpon they do not inhale bait.  Ladyfish will hit about anything, use what you don't mind losing or getting destroyed, when they are "on" it's non stop action.

[Alex_bassman]

where ya at in sarasota bud?

[derekxec]

oh yes when lady fish are on they will hit anything...when i fish munyon island they are there most times along with small jacks and you can throw anything and they will hit it lol they dont get so big but they give a nice fight...they are also good for shark bait and snook bait we were at lake worth bridge a few nights ago catching them in the light at the bottom of the bridge and had a blast on light tackle

[0119]

Stop by Economy Tackle on 41 and get some advise.  There's another shop in Saba Plaza near the 41 and 301 intersection.  They can be a lot of help.  Look up Steve Gibsons blog on google he has lots of good info on Sarasota Bay.  Also google Bent Rods blog.  Snook are just starting to show up on the beach and big flounder have been here for a couple months just feet from the shore of the beach in the trough.  Trout are still in the bays and intercoastal.  Don't forget to visit the Venice Jetty's.  A med. light spinning rod, 2000 size reel, white bucktails, white, clear and Arkansas Shiner CAL tails or MirroLure Little Johns on a 1/8th and 1/4oz jig heads are a great start.