Captain Zach's Manatee Fishing Report, October 26

CORTEZ – Well folks, this is it! One of the premier times for fishing on the west central coast is solidly in full swing. Mother nature has been more than kind with some truly benign weather conditions brought on by our friend, La Nina. The tropics are remaining tropical and the icy blasts of the cruel north haven't had the punch to upset almost ideal angling conditions.

Water temperatures are hovering either side of the 80 degree mark depending on your location. Water clarity is superb, salinity levels are high, and forage fish are thick all over the bays and nearshore gulf.
Unfortunately, I have had motor trouble and have not been able to get out in the thick of things myself, but reliable reports from friends and associates paint a rosy picture.

On the inshore scene of Manatee and Sarasota, there continues to be red-hot trout fishing that should go right into the beginning of the November/December closure in our area. There are numerous trout running from dinks to fat gators in the mid-20" range being taken with live bait, jigs, spoons, and even cut bait all over the area. As has been the case all summer and in to the fall, there are rod-benders such as jacks, ladyfish, mackerel, bonito, bluefish, shark, grass gags, et al gorging on the plentiful bait fish that are also around.

As I have been reporting, the redfish bite has been a feast or famine thing as of late. Their spawning schools have been moving around quite a lot this fall. This action should continue full-tilt boogie until the first really hard cold front of the season rolls through. The inshore plethora of species has certainly made the dearth of snook and the fall closure a lot more bearable.

Offshore boats in this area are all reporting banner catches of grouper, red snapper, mangrove snapper, and flounder on the bottom with numerous pelagics crashing the party on flat lined baits. Most of the captains I've spoken with have had glowing reports of world class action with kingfish, cobia, barracuda and bonito, plus the occasional tarpon and sharks of every size, shape, and description.

As I stated earlier, the La Nina weather pattern we have been enjoying looks as if it is going to hold strong at least until Turkey Day and possibly Christmas. As long as the weather holds, the banner action should hang in there as well.
 
Good luck and good fishing. Be careful out there!! Capt. "Zach" Zacharias, Cortez, Fl. 941-795-5026 Give me a call to book an offshore,nearshore, or inshore trip.