02-18-2002, 03:52 PM
February 17, 2002<br><br>Sarasota Fla. Fishing Report<br><br>By Capt. Bob Smith<br><br>Pompano and bluefish action is starting to improve in the passes! It looks like a good run may be starting in Big Pass and New Pass. Round quarter ounce pompano jigs in chartreuse and tipped with a small peace of shrimp or a live sand-flea are producing the best catches of pompano. Small to medium live shrimp with a large split shot attached just above the hook eye has also worked.<br><br>Drifting the passes and hopping the jig along the bottom so that it kicks up puffs of sand is what I call the pompano snap. For those who are not familiar with this style of fishing, it is a very important step to master for catching pompano. This is different from the normal cast and retrieve jigging you may be familiar with. Use short snaps letting the jig free-fall to the bottom and watch other fishermen who are productive to improve your cadence.<br><br>The bluefish are not so hard and good for beginners. They also give a good fight. For bait, you only need something with a hook in it and not bigger than the bluefish. J<br><br>Offshore in the forty foot depths, Spanish mackerel and large schools of bait-fish are being found. Bottom fishing here has been active but mostly shorts. The larger Amberjacks have moved closer in to about eighty feet of water while the smaller AJs have moved to deep water. Go figure!<br><br>On the bay, we have plenty of sheepshead and drum, mostly black but also red. Snook are hot south of Sarasota bay.<br><br>Enjoy and Protect<br><br>http://www.sarasota-fla-fishing.com<br><br><br>