FISHING WITH CAPTAIN CASEY

Posted by on Friday Oct 25, 2019 11:35 am

How do you know if you are a Saltwater Fishing Fanatic?

Is Saltwater fishing in your blood, does your pulse rate quicken a little whenever you smell the sea air and hear the seabirds calling?

Are you in your element when you can feel the sea lapping around your waders on a surf beach, or never happier when you’re heading offshore for a boat fishing session?

Yes?  Then there is no doubt about it you too are a Saltwater Fishing Fanatic!

Saltwater fishing is a rewarding and all-consuming passion for many people.  From the social banter between fishing companions on a charter fishing trip to the inner peace enjoyed by a solitary angler on an isolated surf beach, saltwater fishing has so much to offer.  If saltwater fishing is in your blood, you are a very fortunate person.

SALTWATER FISHING FROM A BOAT

When booking a fishing charter with me, we head out to enjoy a wonderful day on the water.  Saltwater fishing can bring a lot of different outcomes but one thing is for sure, I try to make your experience a one in a million types of days.  The last few times out we have seen big redfish ranging around 27” – 28” long, this was during low tide, in the morning, under some docks in Sarasota Bay, using a small size 1 hook, 30lb leader and a large live shrimp.  We have caught snook and flounder in New Pass and Big Pass, mid-day, outgoing tide, with live white bait we acquired through a cast net.  Bait is along most beaches, in the shallow sandbars, and grass flats close to New Pass and Big Pass.  One good sign is if you see the birds diving there is usually bait to catch.  Saltwater fishing can be very rewarding and a great learning experience.

SALTWATER FISHING FROM A PIER

Not all fisherman have good sea legs, nor do they have much intention of getting them.  In fact, some of them would only set foot in a boat if it was securely propped up ashore and reluctantly at that.  You don’t always need to get afloat to place your bait in deep water, as great fishing can often be had from the piers, jetties and breakwaters that project from our shores.  Saltwater fishing piers in Sarasota County, Florida:

Causeway Park Fishing Pier – Saprito Pier, 420 John Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL

The Saprito – Causeway Park fishing pier is 560 feet in length with an 80 foot “T” at the end, over the waters of Sarasota Bay.

Humphris Park Jetty Fishing – Tarpon Center Drive & Inlet Circle, Venice, FL

Park entrance is about 900 feet north on Tarpon Center from above intersection.  Humphris Park is sitting on 2 acres and offers; fishing jetty that is about 650 feet in length, picnic tables, benches, showers, and restrooms.

Ken Thompson Park Fishing Pier – 1700 Ken Thompson Parkway, Lido Key, FL

This 92 acre park has amenities that include; fishing pier, boat ramp, restrooms, playground, picnicking, kayaking, birding and walking trails through mangrove and restored tidal marsh areas.

New Pass Fishing Pier – 1700 Ken Thompson Parkway, Lido Key, FL

Other side from Ken Thompson Park.

Nokomis Park Fishing Dock – 234 Nippino Trail East, Nokomis, FL

Fishing on rails to trails bridge also, hand launch on site, over the water of where Curry Creek meets Roberts Bay.

North Jetty Park Fishing Jetty – ¾ mile south from the intersection of; Albee Rd West and S. Casey Key Rd, Venice, FL

Fishing jetty about 600 feet in length, surf fishing with respect to swimmers, bait shop, beach access parking, concession, picnic shelter, picnic tables, playground, restrooms, showers and volleyball courts.

Phillippi Estate Fishing Piers – 5500 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL

The Phillippi Estate fishing piers are on the southern shore of the Phillippi River.  Pier 1 extends 45 feet over the water and Pier 2 extends 35 feet over the water with a 30 foot “T” at the end.  Restrooms and shaded gazebos are on site also.

Whitaker Gateway Park Fishing Pier – 1455 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL

Whitaker Gateway Park offers; fishing pier which is 80 feet in length over the waters of Sarasota Bay, playground, pavilions, picnicking, walking & fitness trail, shoreline fishing from the bulkhead and restrooms.

SALTWATER FISHING FROM THE SHORE

Fishing is great on Florida beaches. All public beaches allow fishing from the shore and it is quite common to see people with their poles and cast nets working the calm surf. You can catch most inshore fish from the beach such as snook, pompano, shark, snapper, and redfish.

Most beaches have lots for parking, pavilions, and picnic areas, many with barrier islands and tidal pools. Sometimes a short hike will bring you to more secludes fishing spots with the added benefit of wildlife viewing and some spectacular views. You can fish the inshore tidal pools or the open water surf. You can also reach may outlying beach areas by boat.

Fishing from the shore and beach requires equipment that will get your bait out where the fish are. Some anglers have a rod and reel for each fishing situation - fishing from the beach, fishing from a pier, and fishing from a boat. Depending on your budget and the frequency of each fishing situation, you have the choice of one all purpose rod or many specialized rods.

Remember, surf casting requires long rods that are not suitable for fishing off piers or boats. A heavy 6 foot rod designed for pier fishing will not cast into the surf. Very heavy, 10+ foot rods are designed specifically for long casting into the surf. If you want an all around rod go with an 8 foot rod of medium weight.

Bait Catching

Using live bait is by far the best way to catch fish! Yes, artificial lures, spoon, and other contraptions work just fine, but nothing beats fresh bait.  Cast netting for bait fish is a common activity at the beach and a lot of fun. The beach is also a good place to learn the trick to throwing these nets. Find yourself a vacant area on the beach and toss away. Catching bait in the morning on the Gulf when the sun is at your back will reveal bait schools glimmering in the sun.

KAYAK FISHING

Nothing beats a kayak for getting to fishing marks that are beyond the reach of the most able and totally inaccessible to conventional fishing boats.  Whether you are a kayaker turned fisherman or fisherman turned kayaker, a high degree of competency is a must if you’re to stay safe.  Particularly when coupled with this potentially hazardous way of fishing afloat.  Kayak angling is the fastest growing branch of saltwater fishing and it’s not difficult to see why, relatively inexpensive, environmentally friendly and a great form of exercise.  Kayak fishing has a lot going for it.

WEATHER & TIDES

The weather ahead of cold fronts will lead to favorable fishing conditions due to lower pressure, because fish are so good at sensing changes in pressure, they will often increase their activity in the days before a cold front moving in which creates good conditions for catching fish.  Paying attention to the weather and tides will definitely help as well.

GMZ853-251630-  Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM-  346 AM EDT Fri Oct 25 2019    

TODAY  East winds around 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and  inland waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and a slight  chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.  

TONIGHT  East winds around 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and  inland waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms. A  chance of showers toward morning.  

SATURDAY  South winds around 15 knots with gusts to around  25 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. A  chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms.  

SATURDAY NIGHT  South winds around 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay  and inland waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and a slight  chance of thunderstorms.  

SUNDAY  South winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and  inland waters a light chop. Showers likely in the morning. A slight  chance of thunderstorms. A chance of showers in the afternoon.  

SUNDAY NIGHT  South winds around 5 knots then becoming southeast  around 10 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland  waters a light chop. A chance of showers and a slight chance of  thunderstorms.  

MONDAY  Southeast winds around 10 knots then becoming south around  5 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a  light chop. A chance of showers and a slight chance of  thunderstorms.  

MONDAY NIGHT  Southeast winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 feet. Bay  and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers and a slight  chance of thunderstorms.  

TUESDAY  South winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 feet. Bay and inland  waters a light chop. A chance of showers and a slight chance of  thunderstorms.

Today Friday, 25^th of October of 2019, the sun rose in Sarasota at 7:37 am and sunset will be at 6:52 pm. In the high tide and low tide chart, we can see that the first low tide was at 5:31 am and the next low tide will be at 6:08 pm. The first high tide will be at 11:03 am and the next high tide at 11:35 pm.  Today we have 11 hours and 15 minutes of sun. The solar transit will be at 1:14 pm.

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