Sarasota fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. The first real hint of fall is here, with water temperatures easing and the bait schools starting to move through the passes. The new moon this weekend should bring some excellent tides.
What’s Hitting
Snook are the best bet along the beaches and in the passes, with the fish eating pilchards and threadfins. Redfish are on the flats in Sarasota Bay and Roberts Bay, trout are on the grass beds, and Spanish mackerel and bluefish are working the bait schools in Big Sarasota Pass and New Pass. Tarpon are still around the passes, and mangrove snapper are on the docks and bridges.
Where to Find Them
Work the beaches near Lido Key, Siesta Key and Longboat Pass on the outgoing tide, especially at dawn. The grass flats near Cortez, Palma Sola and the Ringling Causeway hold reds and trout. The Sarasota Bay docks produce snapper and snook at night, and the nearshore reefs hold mackerel and kingfish when the water is clean.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend brings stronger tides through the passes. The best fishing is on the moving water, either the outgoing or incoming tide, and the flats will be more productive on the rising tide. Afternoon thunderstorms are still a possibility, so watch the sky and plan to be off the water.
Tackle & Tactics
Live pilchards on a circle hook and light leader are the staple. If you cannot find bait, a white paddle tail or a small jerkbait is a good substitute. For mackerel, a silver spoon on a short wire leader is hard to beat. Use a quiet approach on the flats, and stay at a distance from tailing reds. A clean fluorocarbon leader helps in the clearer water.
Anglers fishing out of a small boat should note the mud and grass bottom of Sarasota Bay, which makes it easy to run aground at low tide. A good chart and a slow approach to the flats will save the day and the prop.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Centennial Park ramp, Ken Thompson Park on Lido Key, and the Coquina Beach and Longboat Pass areas, with the Ringling Causeway for shoreline fishing. Fish are concentrating at the passes and the flats. Check current FWC regulations and seasons before keeping any fish, and handle snook with wet hands and release them quickly.
This Week’s Tip
Fish the first light on the beach. Walk the sand quietly and look for snook cruising in the trough. A small pilchard or a jerkbait cast ahead of the fish often gets an instant response.
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