I am new to Florida and in dire need of some advice on places to shark fish. I live in sarasota/ Bradenton area and am definitely willing to travel. I was looking into Big Carlos Pass for this weekend. Where would you guys recommend? I have been fishing several times with no luck and trying to keep from getting discouraged. Any advice would really help and would be greatly appreciated!
theres always the skyway bridge, longest fishing bridge in the world!, and fort de soto as well.
It's been rough up there lately. I have not heard from but maybe one person catching sharks near the skyway. You mentioned fort de soto? Good place? And any news on Venice beach or sharkys pier? I read that Big Carlos Pass has been bad since the dredging. If anyone is interested in fishing the west coast Friday, 3/6/15, into Saturday, let me know.
yeah i mentioned fort de soto only because you live in bradenton and its close, ive never actually been there, i usaully go to honeymoon island. ive only caught blacktips and sandbars but who knows what will be out there once the water warms up
I've fished Ft. Desoto a few times. Nice place. Since that's right at the mouth of Tampa bay, the location is prime to catch shark. Everyone says someone should be catching a Titan of a shark from there any day now. And with the recent Gulf coast mako and white catches, I'd agree.
They are pretty stern on the closing time. Be packed up and on the move at 11:00.
Thanks blacktipninja. How'd you do there?
Big Carlos sucks right now. The Dredging has put so much crap in the water that there are very few fish period. I have a condo right there.Last year was the worst year. Hopefully it will clear up soon. Why not go to Boca Grand??!!!!! Heck of a lot closer for you.
Ft.myersjack, like i said I'm new to Florida and have never been land based sharking before. Any piers or places I should try on Boca? And is it good this time of year?
South part of the Island is a state park. go to the right of the light house to the beach area so that you are not directly in the pass. Careful of the pass as the tide rips like you wouldn't believe. I found it too hard to fish directly in the pass due to sea weed building up on your line.
There are some big teeth in that water. Hammers, Bulls, Goliath Grouper.
There is a fishing pier on the north part of the Island on the inland side. I have caught grouper, redfish and snook there. They say that there are a lot of Bull Sharks in there.
I am by no means an expert at Boca Grand (Gasparilla) - spent a week there 4 years ago in the summer. We did catch tarpon off the beach! The water should be warming up soon and will be good. Need the Tarpon to start running. Big Predators follow.