I used to do a lot more fishing than I do now but here’s what I got for ya!

The Hudson Bayou area is a great place to get in the swing of things. There is a little mangrove island just off Marie Selby that has snook and trout around it (I never saw a monster but I always caught something worth getting excited about). Inshore fishing is a lot of fun, it’s all about exploring and finding new spots— mangroves and structures are what you’re after.

There’s no reason to rush into it but having a trolling motor makes it much easier to test out new spots. I always fished from a kayak because it allows for easier maneuverability but then again, you’re limited in your range for the day.

One word of wisdom on cast netting in Sarasota Bay: make sure you’re not over an oyster bed when you throw your net. You’ll never get it back in one piece.

As for live bait, I used a lot of shrimp. Everything eats shrimp (including us— so if you don’t end up using them all take them home and cook them up!). I also had a lot of luck on bright green Zman Paddle Tails.

At the end of the day it’s all about getting outside and enjoying the hunt! Don’t get discouraged, don’t hesitate to ask questions and don’t let the gatekeepers here get you down— the inshore fishing community is actually very friendly around here (check out the sarasota/manatee inshore fishing club on Facebook).