Saltwater Species
Please check FWC regulations before harvesting any species species listed here.
False Albacore - (aka Little Tunny, Bonito): Can be found in the near-shore Gulf of Mexico November-December and in February. Each year is different with respect to how long they stay around our area. Mostly pursued by boat or kayak the “Albies” are super fast and like small flies and are a fantastic fish to land on a fly rod.
False Albacore: (aka Little Tunny, Bonito)
Crevalle Jack: A hard fighting and aggressive fish. They will take most flys and like topwater flies. They often school up in the rivers in the winter but can be commonly found in all Sarasota salt and brackish waters.
Ladyfish - (aka the poor man’s tarpon): abundant in our area in all salt and brackish waters. They hit hard and jump like crazy. Although not a very good eating fish they are great sport on the fly!
Redfish: Found in our area and will readily eat a fly. The greater Tampa Bay and Port Charlotte Harbor areas and estuaries generally see more Redfish than Sarasota Bay, however, fingerlings are released each year by Mote Marine and FWC in the Sarasota area. Clouser minnows, spoon flys, and shrimp patterns are all very effective.
Redfish
Spotted Sea Trout: A favorite quarry in our local waters. Inhabiting primarily grass flats in bays, they can be taken on many different flies including top water. They are good table fare but check the current FWC regulations before harvesting.
Snook: Present in our area year round. In the summer, they can be sight fished off of the beaches. Dock lights hold snook when the water temps are at least 70 degrees and the fishing can be phenomenal at night. Find structure (docks, rocks, mangroves, etc) in salt and brackish waters and you will find snook. Snook will eat small white flies to large baitfish imitations including topwater flies.
Spanish Mackerel: Caught in the Gulf and bays in our area during warmer weather months. They fight hard and are good eating but you may need to fish with a long shank hook or trace of wire to prevent a bite-off.
Tripletail: : can be found in the Gulf of Mexico. They generally hang around the crab buoys and take crab and shrimp patterns. Most anglers cruise the crab buoy lines and turn the boat around when a fish is spotted and sight cast to the fish. They are great eating, but check FWC regulations before harvesting.
Pompano: are a highly desired food fish that readily takes flies. Best flies are usually clouser flies in charteuce/white, yellow/white or pink/white. Pompano prefer saltier water so they are not often found in freshwater-heavy brackish waters.
Sheepshead: are locally abundant but a challenge on a fly. Sheepsheads like structure so fish docks, jetties, mangroves with small shrimp or crab flies.