Captain Zach's Manatee Fishing Report, June 14

CORTEZ -- The red hot action in the gulf the past month waned a little this week, but good catches of jumbo Spanish mackerel were still occurring. A couple of king fish came in also, but they are really thinning out now with water temperatures in the mid 80's. Sharks, bonito, cobia, grouper, snapper and flounder rounded out the action on a couple of trips.

North Sarasota Bay was on fire with top notch inshore action. The entire north bay is paved with bait, especially huge dense schools of glass minnows. Spotted sea trout, mackerel, hefty bluefish, small sharks, jack crevalle, and monster lady fish are all over the four to six foot grass beds.

The approach is fairly simple; fish the birds and you will catch fish. Some of the trout have been exceptionally large with specks in the mid twenties common. Live bait is not necessary with these fish. Jigs and spoons will work very well. I do not recommend using soft bodied plastics, as the macks and bluefish will chop them up in a heartbeat.

The tarpon chasers are out in force and doing well. We have hooked up numerous times while not even targeting the big herring. Still looking for the summer snapper bite to commence. The dog tooths should be coming on strong when the fry bait bunches up in the bays, usually in July and August.

Red fish are still tricky. Being in the right place, at the right time, with the right bait is critical with red fishing right now. It's either feast or famine with the blue tails.

Good luck and good fishing. Be careful out there!! Capt. "Zach" Zacharias

"Dee Jay II" 941-795-5026 email:zachcap@aol.com Docked on Palma Sola Bay at Parrot Cove Marina/Sunny Shores 1, 15th St West and 36th Avenue, Cortez, Fl. 34215