Heading to Siesta - need recommendations

[LilRichard]

Gents,

Never been to Siesta Key with my boat, but heading down this weekend.  Few questions, what's hot for fish (I assume Macks, Trout, Reds) and do you have any spots you would mind helping me out with?  If so, maybe PM me some ideas?  Beers are on me for any assistance...

Also, would appreciate recommendations on a cool place to pull the boat up and have a beer - that would include a sand bar where folks gather, or a bayside bar.

Thanks in advance!

[love2fish]

A little bit north is Mar Vista on LBK. really good food and right on the water, good sandbar right across the water from it on Jewfish Key. i reallize this is a bit north of Siesta but still in the area.

[RickK]

Big Pass is on the north tip of SK and has a lot of moving water and is pretty deep.  Great for drifting.  Sarasota Bay has Ringling Flats (area just behind the mansion) - a big area of deeper grass. Zwick's Channel is good for a variety of fish.

[LilRichard]

Thanks for the hints... keep them coming guys!

[Circle Hooked]

Been out the past two days and Mack's in Big pass are your best bet right now,the Trout and Red are a little hit and miss still,the Sheepshead are biting well in the passes in to,in between tides.

[seabob4]

How are the middle grounds doing off city island?  Longboat Pass is great for snook on an incoming.  Ringling Flats, as RickK mentioned, always productive.

And remember, the canals at night are great for monster snook, lurking under the piers adjacent to lifts...right there around Siesta...

[LilRichard]

How are the middle grounds doing off city island?  

I've heard of this, what are the Sarasota middlegrounds?  Is it structure in the bay?

[Capt. Bob]

Appears to be grass flats.
Here's some (I'm sure) well used #s

http://www.sarasota-fla-fishing.com/Numbers.htm

5 down may be close to where you're staying.

[seabob4]

CB is correct with that post on the Middle Grounds in the bay.  Always seems full of trout, the potholes are great for flounder.  Excellent in the summer for legal Mangos and juvenile grouper...

[Treefish]

A little bit north is Mar Vista on LBK. really good food and right on the water.

you forgot to mention good atmosphere.

[seabob4]

A little bit north is Mar Vista on LBK. really good food and right on the water.

you forgot to mention good atmosphere.

Do they still have the pic from the Herald Tribune of the bigass great white caught off LB back in the 20's or so?

[Circle Hooked]

Only problem with the flats right now is the water is still on the cold side,about 65,and this front tomorrow won't help.

I did manage a 15" and a 18" sheephshead this afternoon,fishing the seawall in Venice.

[flkeysaqua]

Well south of you closer to Marathon on the bay side are the bomb wholes I'll be home tomorrow night im in Kissimmee right now I'll email you some numbers good for grouper, Jewfish, this time of year macks and trout as well.

[LilRichard]

Well south of you closer to Marathon on the bay side are the bomb wholes I'll be home tomorrow night im in Kissimmee right now I'll email you some numbers good for grouper, Jewfish, this time of year macks and trout as well.

Sweeet... thanks!

[Capt. Bob]

That ought to make for a nice ride. 8)
Scales about 200 miles.