Manasota Key Fishing Report & Snook Season Update

Fishing is heating up in the Lemon Bay, Englewood Beach, and Palm Island area as of March 1st, with snook season now open. Key strategies include targeting shallow flats, mangrove edges, and pass areas during early morning or evening incoming tides with live bait or topwater lures.

Snook: With the spring opening, snook are moving from deeper winter haunts to shallow flats and passes. Excellent action is expected in the early mornings on moving tides.

Other Species: Good numbers of redfish and spotted seatrout are being caught on the shallow flats. Pompano are still being caught in the bay’s deeper channels, and Spanish mackerel are appearing in the Gulf.

Locations: Focus on Stump Pass, the ICW, and around the docks and seawalls of Palm Island and Manasota Key.

Tips: Live shrimp, white bait, and soft plastics (e.g., DOA Shrimp) are producing well.
Note: Snook season is open from March 1 to April 30 in this region, with a slot limit of 28–33 inches and a limit of one fish per person per day.

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946