Mackerel Running Thick Around Sarasota, Florida Beaches

Fishing Tuesday March 15th with Dick Diedrich and his son Jimmy, Capt. Jonnie Walker caught more hogfish, flounder (one of largest he has have seen in a while), sheepshead and Spanish mackerel just off the beach, using light tackle (10-pound fishing line) and shrimp for bait.

Jimmie Dietrich and Capt. Jonnie with a nice (and tasty) flounder

The remainder of the week was much the same with catches of hogfish, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, flounder, Key West grunts offshore and trout and mackerel in the bay.


The mackerel have come in strong the last few days and seem to be the dominant fish out there.


Anglers from western states such as Minnesota, Colorado and Montana would love fish such as Spanish mackerel. These toothy fish are surprisingly feisty and crank line like no rainbow trout ever could.


Best part is, fishing licenses are requires when booking charters. So out-of-state anglers are covered.

Florida Fishing Heats up in Sarasota Bay

                                  Marianne Hamilton with a nice hogfish landed off Sarasota beaches

It's happening!

So far this week, the fishing in Sarasota Bay, about 45 minutes south of St. Petersburg and Tampa, has been unbelievable.

The nearshore reefs have been producing nice quantities of hogfish (yes, hogfish - we haven't seen them around here except on rare occasions), sheepshead, flounder, and Spanish mackerel.

"I have never caught so many hogfish on hook and line before," Walker said. "They are running in the 4-to-5 pound range. I do not know what to attribute this to."

Walker also has been able to land some nice flounder and sheepshead. The Spanish Mackerel have been plentiful in the bay, the passes, nearshore and in the Gulf. The time for finding a fishing trip in Florida is here - options for nearshore, inshore and action on mighty game fish, or fish such as flounder and hogfish that make excellent table fare, are abundant.

As the water temperature continues to warm up, we should soon be seeing the King mackerel and cobia.

"Cute" FIsh Caught on Television Show

Check out another episode of Fishin' with Bob & Capt. Jonnie from last week.

Click here to see the video.

"I love a girl that will touch a fish," Walker said during the show, referring to the girls on spring break.

The anglers caught a bunch of Spanish mackerel and even a huge whiting.

"Everything we've caught today is either pretty or cute and we have to put them back," Walker said during the show.

Cute, pretty .. but fish nonetheless.

Upper Sarasota Bay Trout

Capt; Jonnie Walker guided John Kramer from Wheeling, W.V. March 1 caught to this 24-inch trout in upper Sarasota Bay. After pictures, the trout was released alive back into the bay

Right now Florida fishing is about to break loose as springtime is upon us. Water temperatures are warming, bait is slowly showing up, and mixed bags are possible.

No doubt, Capt. Jonnie will be one busy fishing guide as kingfish are soon to show off the beaches. Already, a few kings have shown at the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers in Tampa Bay.

And here's a quick secret: Pompano have been caught around the buoy by Cannon's Marina in Longboat Key. Shh...

Happy fishing!

Fishin' With Bob & Jonnie, March 3

Check out another episode of Fishin' with Bob & Jonnie from March 3!

Every week, Captain Jonnie Walker and Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan from WWSB abc7 take you fishing on the Suncoast.

The pompano weren't biting on a choppy day in Sarasota Bay, but they managed sheepshead (on the fly), trout and Spanish mackerel, which are scattered around the bay and Gulf.
 

Bay Walker Gag Grouper Lands Catch of the Week

Sarasota Patch recognized a Capt. Jonnie Walker catch last week by featuring him in its catch of the week.

The catch was a 24-inch gag grouper, landed by Walker's grandson, Trey Walker-Dietz.

Some of the best gag grouper fishing in Florida is right off the Sarasota beaches, and the gags are capable of ranging just off the beaches, making for a short boat ride with deep Gulf of Mexico catches.

The secret to catching a catch-and-release gag just over a mile off the Sarasota, Florida beaches? A live shrimp.

See more in the catch of the week.