Manatee fishing report 4/3/10 - it's finally getting warmer

As of Easter weekend it appears the back of the "El Ni–o" has finally been broken. Even though the bulk of the action on the "Dee Jay II" continued to be big spawning sheepshead on the nearshore reefs of the gulf and speckled trout in Sarasota and Palma Sola Bays, there are indications that a spell of warm, calm weather is going to bring on an all-out blitz with everything that swims.
 
The gulf has cleared nicely right up to the beaches and the stage is set for an invasion of kings, spanish, cobia, sharks, etc. When the first wave of bait schools arrive the predators will not be far behind and we have witnessed a few schools of bait here and there in the past week.

Inshore there is a noticeable lack of snook out on the flats where they are normally found by April. There are, however, some massive schools of redfish in their normal spring haunts but they are so spooked out it is unreal.

The water on most flats is gin clear and hundreds of boats are running around where the reds are congregated. They are not eating too much right now, but less pressure after the Easter holiday  along with the water souping up a little should trigger these fish into a big time feed. Trout have been very eager to please ,though, with numerous fish in a wide variety of sizes coming in on artificials and live shrimp. The spotted beauties have been found in 4-6 ft of water over broken grass.  Mixed in with the trout has been hit or miss spanish, pompano, and flounder. The grass beds are beginning to grow as well with the longer days and slightly warmer temperatures.

White bait continues to be an enigma. They should be here by now but they are scarce. Even reports from the Skyway where the bait tends to bunch up first are not encouraging.

The next few weeks hold the promise of some off-the--wall action. Let's hope that that occurs.

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
115th St W and 36th Ave., Cortez,Fl 34215