Learn more about the inshore fishing in the Sarasota, Florida area.
Sarasota Bay
Sarasota Bay is an excellent inshore fishery for a variety of different saltwater fish. Some of the popular fish to catch inshore are snook, redfish, sea trout, flounder and tarpon. You may also catch sheepshead, ladyfish, pompano and jack crevalle to go along with other species of fish too.
The bay is large and fairly shallow with so many good fishing spots. Anglers can fish shallow grass flats, 3 different passes, bridges, canals, docks, mangroves and more.
Fish the Bridges
This area is home to several smaller bridges. The best bite may not be at the bridges, but there will usually be some quality fish around some of these bridges if you fish around them during the tidal changes.
Fish the Canals
There are many canals throughout the Sarasota Bay that you can fish for a variety of saltwater fish. Some of these canals have some good docks to fish and some mangrove trees that hold a variety of different fish.
Fish the Docks
There are plenty of docks to fish if you want to fish that pattern. Anglers usually target sheepshead, snook, redfish, trout and flounder around the docks.
Fish the Flats
There are some good shallow, grass flats to fish in Sarasota Bay. Many of these flats will have plenty of potholes, which are just some holes with a little deeper water on these flats. You can usually find fish up on the flats and in these deeper potholes. Anglers catch trout, redfish, snook, flounder and other fish on the flats in Sarasota Bay.
Fish the Mangroves
There are some good spots to fish in the bay with mangrove trees. These areas may hold a variety of different saltwater fish, but most anglers target snook, redfish, sheepshead and mangrove snapper around the mangrove trees.
Fish the Passes
Sarasota Bay is unique in that it has three different passes to the Gulf of Mexico. This helps the entire bay because it constantly receives fresh salt water as the tides pull water through these passes. The tides will also pull plenty of bait through these passes and bigger fish will show up for the easy meal.
