As summer fades and cooler temperatures begin to settle in, anglers across Sarasota and Manatee counties are in for some of the best inshore action of the year. Shorter days and cooling water temps have fish on the move, from the surf along our barrier islands to the grass flats of Sarasota Bay and the backwaters of Terra Ceia. Here’s what to expect this month when you hit the water.
Snook
Snook remain the stars of late summer. You’ll still see them in the surf along Siesta and Longboat, or tucked tight around docks and bridges in the Intracoastal near Big Pass, New Pass, and Longboat Pass. As the water cools, look for them to slide onto shallow flats, staging along sand bars in places like Sarasota Bay and Palma Sola. Early mornings are prime time—dock lights before sunrise can be lights-out before you move onto the flats. Topwater plugs, fly poppers, and Gurglers are hard to beat in low light. Spin anglers should do well with CAL jigs, DOA Shrimp, or soft plastics, while live-baiters will score with shrimp around docks or pilchards on the flats. Fly anglers can count on small white patterns like the Grassett Snook Minnow, equally effective on the beach or in the bay.
Tarpon
The peak tarpon migration is behind us, but silver kings haven’t left entirely. Adult fish that have thinned out in the gulf often slide inside, staging around the bridges at Cortez, Longboat Pass, and Anna Maria, or roaming deep grass flats in Sarasota Bay. Spin anglers should reach for DOA Baitbusters, Shrimp, or TerrorEyz, while pilchards and shrimp keep live-bait setups hot. On fly, stout 1/0–2/0 white patterns get the job done for lingering fish.
Redfish
Fall is redfish season in Sarasota and Manatee. Schools of reds gather on the shallow flats of northern Sarasota Bay, Terra Ceia, and the east side of Anna Maria. On high tides, they’ll push tight to the mangroves; on low water, look for them edging sand bars and skinny banks. These fish can be spooky, so keep quiet—push poles work better than trolling motors in water this shallow. Spin anglers can lean on DOA PT-7s, Baitbusters, CAL jigs, or live pilchards. Fly anglers should tie on baitfish patterns, Gurglers, or poppers. Bonus: you may find big jacks or blues crashing through the same schools.
Trout
Big spotted seatrout are another highlight this month. On the shallow flats of Sarasota Bay, they’re often mixed with redfish or laid up in sandy potholes. Low-light periods—especially dawn—are best. Over-slot trout are usually females, so consider releasing breeders to keep the fishery strong. For numbers, hit the deep grass between Stephens Point and Buttonwood Harbor, or drift the middle bay around Bishop Harbor and Long Bar. DOA Shrimp, Deadly Combos, or live shrimp under a popping cork are proven producers. Fly anglers should stick with synthetic Clousers, durable enough to handle trout, mackerel, and blues. Since stone crab traps aren’t in the water yet, watch for tripletail lounging on stray crab trap floats or markers. A live shrimp, DOA Shrimp, or weed-guard fly will fool them.
False Albacore & Spanish Mackerel
When the gulf lays down, it’s worth running just off the beaches of Longboat, Lido, or Anna Maria to scout for early-season false albacore and Spanish mackerel. You’ll spot them by surface explosions as they tear into bait pods—sometimes with sharks or tarpon mixed in. Small white flies, CAL jigs, and shrimp presentations all draw strikes. Fluorocarbon leaders (instead of wire) hold up well against teeth while keeping bites steady. Tripletail are also a possibility this early—check channel markers, buoys, or debris just offshore.
Seasonal Strategy
This time of year, timing makes all the difference. Start before sunrise on dock lights for snook and juvenile tarpon, then shift at dawn to target redfish and gator trout on the flats. By midday the heat slows things down, but those early windows are electric.
With Sarasota Bay, the Intracoastal, Anna Maria, and the coastal gulf all in play, there’s no shortage of options this month. Fish smart, fish early—and remember: limit your kill, don’t kill your limit.
