Sarasota fishing report for the week of September 24, 2026. The water is starting to cool, the bait is thick, and the fish are feeding up for fall. With the full moon on Saturday, it is a great week to be on the water in Sarasota.
What’s Hitting
This week on the water, snook are feeding at the passes and along the beaches, redfish are bunched up on the bay flats, and false albacore are busting bait along the nearshore reefs. Trout are on the deeper grass flats, and Spanish mackerel are cruising the beaches. A few tarpon are still around in the passes and along the beaches.
Where to Find Them
Snook are at Longboat Pass, New Pass, and Big Sarasota Pass, especially on the outgoing tide. Redfish are on the flats in Sarasota Bay and Roberts Bay, around the mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. False albacore are on the nearshore reefs and around bait schools from Longboat Key to Venice. Trout are on the deeper grass flats in Sarasota Bay.
Tides & Conditions
The full moon on Saturday means strong tides, and the bite has been best on the moving water. Water temps are in the low to mid-80s. Mornings have been calm, but afternoon thunderstorms are still possible.
Tackle & Tactics
For snook at the passes, a live pilchard or a swimbait fished on the outgoing tide is a great choice. For redfish on the flats, cut bait or a soft plastic fished around the mangroves and oyster bars works well. For false albacore, cast small metal jigs or spoons into the breaking fish and retrieve quickly. A light spinning rod with 10- to 15-pound braid is ideal.
Don’t overlook the docks and bridges either. Mangrove snapper are thick around the Siesta Drive and Stickney Point bridges and the deeper docks along the Intracoastal, and a small live pilchard or a piece of shrimp on light fluorocarbon will produce a steady pick. It’s a good option for the middle of the day when the flats bite slows down.
Local Intel This Week
The Ken Thompson Park ramp near New Pass and the Nora Mayo Hall ramp on Siesta Key are good options. The Venice jetties and the New Pass area offer good shore access. Fish are concentrating at the passes and on the flats. Check current FWC regulations, slot sizes, and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
False albacore move fast and don’t stay on the surface long. Have a rod rigged and ready, and when you see breaking fish, get a cast into them as quickly as possible. Retrieve fast. Albies rarely chase a slow lure.
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