Fishing Reports by Captain Terry Frankford
About The Author: Captain
Company: Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc.
Area Reporting: Sarasota
Bio: Fishing experience in the Sarasota area for over thirty years - mostly salt water inshore and nearshore. Became a full time guide in November of 2003 after retiring from Verizon Communications as a Network Planning Engineer. U.S.C.G. licensed Master #1125021 – includes Commercial Assistance Towing. Completed Auxiliary boating Skills & Seamanship course. Certified in Senior Lifesaving, Advanced First Aid, CPR, and Open Water Scuba Diving.
941-228-7802
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain
Redfish tighten lines (10/04/2012)
[Sarasota,FL] Weathers cooling off - fish are biting - my customer are enjoying fried mangrove snapper and blackened redfish for dinner. Let's Go Fishin.
[Sarasota,FL] Weathers cooling off - fish are biting - my customer are enjoying fried mangrove snapper and blackened redfish for dinner. Let's Go Fishin.
Sarasota FL Fishing Report (1/04/2012)
[Sarasota,FL] West Central FL in Sarasota Bay is holding redfish, sheepshead and pompano. King and Spanish mackerel offshore.
[Sarasota,FL] West Central FL in Sarasota Bay is holding redfish, sheepshead and pompano. King and Spanish mackerel offshore.
Sarasota FL Fishing Report (11/18/2011)
[Sarasota,FL] Keep it moving this time of year, it may take some time to find hungry fish. Redfish was the best catch in Sarasota Florida.
[Sarasota,FL] Keep it moving this time of year, it may take some time to find hungry fish. Redfish was the best catch in Sarasota Florida.
Sarasota FL Fishing Report (10/02/2011)
[Sarasota,FL] Florida's great seafood fish - Reds, trout, and flounder on the grill from Sarasota Bay.
[Sarasota,FL] Florida's great seafood fish - Reds, trout, and flounder on the grill from Sarasota Bay.
Sarasota FL Fishing Report (6/25/2011)
[Sarasota,FL] Summer bite is on - snook, redfish, trout, and triple tail are bending rods and taking drag.
[Sarasota,FL] Summer bite is on - snook, redfish, trout, and triple tail are bending rods and taking drag.
Sarasota Trout Come Back (6/02/2011)
[Sarasota,FL] Trout have made a rebound with some to 28 inches being caught in the back waters and on the flats.
[Sarasota,FL] Trout have made a rebound with some to 28 inches being caught in the back waters and on the flats.
Sarasota FL Fishing Report (4/13/2011)
[Sarasota,FL] Fishing is HOT! Water temps have warmed up and the fishing action in Sarasota Florida is fantastic.
[Sarasota,FL] Fishing is HOT! Water temps have warmed up and the fishing action in Sarasota Florida is fantastic.
Sarasota FL Fishing Fantastic (3/09/2011)
[Sarasota,FL] Water temps warmed up and the fishing followed. Redfish and trout top the list.
[Sarasota,FL] Water temps warmed up and the fishing followed. Redfish and trout top the list.
Sarasota Bay Fishing Picking Up (2/10/2011)
[Sarasota,FL] The water is warming up a little and the fish are ready to chew. Redfish, sheepshead and seatrout are in the live well.
[Sarasota,FL] The water is warming up a little and the fish are ready to chew. Redfish, sheepshead and seatrout are in the live well.
Cold Water brings the Sheepshead (12/18/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Cold water temps brought the sheepshead in early this year as well as fiesty redfish.
[Sarasota,FL] Cold water temps brought the sheepshead in early this year as well as fiesty redfish.
Pompano & Flounder come to Sarasota (11/29/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Pompano hit live shrimp on the grass flats, and flounder chewed in the Gulf of Mexico
[Sarasota,FL] Pompano hit live shrimp on the grass flats, and flounder chewed in the Gulf of Mexico
Fall Fishing bringing redfish and mackerel (10/09/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Cooler waters have produced inshore reds and snook action. Offshore, sharks, king mackerel and spanish mackerel are showing up.
[Sarasota,FL] Cooler waters have produced inshore reds and snook action. Offshore, sharks, king mackerel and spanish mackerel are showing up.
Big Reds on Light Tackle (8/09/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Catching 12lb reds on 10lb test line is a blast. Yes, you can't turn them all, however when you do it just doesn't get any better.
[Sarasota,FL] Catching 12lb reds on 10lb test line is a blast. Yes, you can't turn them all, however when you do it just doesn't get any better.
Catching big Trout in Sarasota Bay (6/12/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Trout for the table, and snook for fantastic light tackle catch & release action
[Sarasota,FL] Trout for the table, and snook for fantastic light tackle catch & release action
Fantastic Near Shore Action with King Mackerel in Sarasota Florida (5/06/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Light tackle, 15lb King Mackerel - just doesn't get any better.
[Sarasota,FL] Light tackle, 15lb King Mackerel - just doesn't get any better.
Warm Weather - Great Fishing (3/28/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Winter is over and spring is here - so are the fish
[Sarasota,FL] Winter is over and spring is here - so are the fish
Sheepshead Madness in Sarasota (2/22/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] The cool water has brought in the spawning sheepshead - what a blast and great on the table.
[Sarasota,FL] The cool water has brought in the spawning sheepshead - what a blast and great on the table.
Sheephead & Black Drum in Sarasota Bay (2/04/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Great light tackle action and great on the table, sheepshead & black drum make for a fantastic day on the Bay
[Sarasota,FL] Great light tackle action and great on the table, sheepshead & black drum make for a fantastic day on the Bay
The Drums are Here (1/20/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Black Drums are around structure in Sarasota Bay and they are hungry.
[Sarasota,FL] Black Drums are around structure in Sarasota Bay and they are hungry.
Redfish on Light Tackle (1/01/2010)
[Sarasota,FL] Catching big redfish on light tackle is a blast. Yes you loose a few in the structure, however when you pull them out it's fantastic sport
[Sarasota,FL] Catching big redfish on light tackle is a blast. Yes you loose a few in the structure, however when you pull them out it's fantastic sport
Sarasota Bay fishing report (12/03/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] A mixed bag this time of year is not uncommon - just keep moving you never know what you may find.
[Sarasota,FL] A mixed bag this time of year is not uncommon - just keep moving you never know what you may find.
Weather Cool Fishing Hot (11/09/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Weather has cooled down the water just a little, this brings several winter species to our area.
[Sarasota,FL] Weather has cooled down the water just a little, this brings several winter species to our area.
Sarasota Bay Fishing Report (10/27/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Fishing has been great is Sarasota Bay - with the water cooling down a little action has picked up.
[Sarasota,FL] Fishing has been great is Sarasota Bay - with the water cooling down a little action has picked up.
Snook, Reds, and Trout (9/30/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Using live bait is catching snook and redfish on light tackle is a blast for anglers aboard the Reelin & Chillin.
[Sarasota,FL] Using live bait is catching snook and redfish on light tackle is a blast for anglers aboard the Reelin & Chillin.
Light Tackle - Great Action (8/20/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] If your into sport fishing inshore, try light tackle. Active bait means more hook-ups, here is how.
[Sarasota,FL] If your into sport fishing inshore, try light tackle. Active bait means more hook-ups, here is how.
Redfish, Redfish, & more Redfish (7/14/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] The redfish have moved into the Sarasota area. Cut bait is first choice for bait.
[Sarasota,FL] The redfish have moved into the Sarasota area. Cut bait is first choice for bait.
Mangroves & Redfish (7/02/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Pulling big reds out from the barnacle coverd mangroves can be tricky - but it's a blast.
[Sarasota,FL] Pulling big reds out from the barnacle coverd mangroves can be tricky - but it's a blast.
Trout on the Flats (6/16/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Plenty of trout in the grass have kept angler's busy aboard the Reelin & Chillin
[Sarasota,FL] Plenty of trout in the grass have kept angler's busy aboard the Reelin & Chillin
Their biting in Sarasota (5/18/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] The water has warmed, the fish are in. Reds, trout, snapper, and spanish mackerel are on the hook.
[Sarasota,FL] The water has warmed, the fish are in. Reds, trout, snapper, and spanish mackerel are on the hook.
Tips for Trout (5/05/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Trout have really come back in the Sarasota areas
[Sarasota,FL] Trout have really come back in the Sarasota areas
Big Reds in Sarasota Bay (3/29/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Big Redfish on Light tackle kept anglers busy aboard the Reelin & Chillin
[Sarasota,FL] Big Redfish on Light tackle kept anglers busy aboard the Reelin & Chillin
Sheepshead, and Snapper keeping the live well full (3/09/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Tough weather conditions, brought the best out in anglers aboard the Reelin & Chillin.
[Sarasota,FL] Tough weather conditions, brought the best out in anglers aboard the Reelin & Chillin.
Big Reds - Light Tackle (2/19/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Redfish around structure, and trout in the holes.
[Sarasota,FL] Redfish around structure, and trout in the holes.
Several Species Making the Table (1/30/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] Fishing aboard the Reelin & Chillin has brought trout, sheepshead, pompano, whiting, and redfish to name a few species.
[Sarasota,FL] Fishing aboard the Reelin & Chillin has brought trout, sheepshead, pompano, whiting, and redfish to name a few species.
Redfish, sheepshead, and pompano for starters (1/12/2009)
[Sarasota,FL] On the grass flats pompano, trout, and bluefish made for some great light tackle action. Around docks sheepshead, mangrove snapper, and redfish were cruising the barnacle covered pilings for dinner - a live shrimp was hard to resist.
[Sarasota,FL] On the grass flats pompano, trout, and bluefish made for some great light tackle action. Around docks sheepshead, mangrove snapper, and redfish were cruising the barnacle covered pilings for dinner - a live shrimp was hard to resist.
Sheepshead are here, the reds a still around (12/23/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] It's that time of year again, the Sheepies are on the table.
[Sarasota,FL] It's that time of year again, the Sheepies are on the table.
Hot action both Inshore and Offshore (12/07/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] Inshore and offshore were productive over the Thanksgiving Holidays. Inshore redfish, sea trout, flounder, and a few sheepshead were tightening lines aboard the Reelin & Chillin. Offshore king mackerel, and amberjack tightened lines making for great light tackle action.
[Sarasota,FL] Inshore and offshore were productive over the Thanksgiving Holidays. Inshore redfish, sea trout, flounder, and a few sheepshead were tightening lines aboard the Reelin & Chillin. Offshore king mackerel, and amberjack tightened lines making for great light tackle action.
Big reds coming to Sarasota (11/24/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] Redfish, snook, and trout are coming in around docks and inlets looking for warmer waters.
[Sarasota,FL] Redfish, snook, and trout are coming in around docks and inlets looking for warmer waters.
Beat the winds (11/03/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] It was a windy couple of weeks, however anglers aboard the Reelin & Chillin managed to put fish on the line. Big reds close to thirty inches using select live shrimp or cut pinfish for bait really bent some rods.
[Sarasota,FL] It was a windy couple of weeks, however anglers aboard the Reelin & Chillin managed to put fish on the line. Big reds close to thirty inches using select live shrimp or cut pinfish for bait really bent some rods.
Inshore Reds - Offshore Mackerel (10/08/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] Fishing both in-shore and near-shore is productive right now so get out there and get fishing. Snook, redfish, trout, and mangrove snapper are the species to target inshore. Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, little tunny, and sharks are the species to target near-shore.
[Sarasota,FL] Fishing both in-shore and near-shore is productive right now so get out there and get fishing. Snook, redfish, trout, and mangrove snapper are the species to target inshore. Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, little tunny, and sharks are the species to target near-shore.
Working the Storms (9/11/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] It's tough working around the hurricanes and the associated inclement weather however, it's always been a factor that before a front fish tend to feed.
[Sarasota,FL] It's tough working around the hurricanes and the associated inclement weather however, it's always been a factor that before a front fish tend to feed.
Sarasota Bay area fishing report (8/15/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] Redfish, spotted sea trout, and mangrove snapper tighten lines aboard the Reelin & Chillin
[Sarasota,FL] Redfish, spotted sea trout, and mangrove snapper tighten lines aboard the Reelin & Chillin
July Fishing Report For Sarasota - New Pass & Big Pass (7/29/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] It's easy to get stuck in a habit with the same baits, switching up can change a day's fishing for the better.
[Sarasota,FL] It's easy to get stuck in a habit with the same baits, switching up can change a day's fishing for the better.
Big reds, and trout on the hook (6/29/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] It's always nice to find a great spot that produces big fish consistently, it happens often, unfortunately these spots only stay hot for a week or two, then the fish move on. I was lucky enough to find one just spot to put my anglers on.
[Sarasota,FL] It's always nice to find a great spot that produces big fish consistently, it happens often, unfortunately these spots only stay hot for a week or two, then the fish move on. I was lucky enough to find one just spot to put my anglers on.
Redfish inshore - King Mackerel offshore (5/13/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] Live hand-picked shrimp working inshore for redfish up to 33 inches, and live threadfin herring snaging up to 32 pound King Mackerel offshore
[Sarasota,FL] Live hand-picked shrimp working inshore for redfish up to 33 inches, and live threadfin herring snaging up to 32 pound King Mackerel offshore
The Kings have arrived (4/17/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] In-shore fishing is good with snook, redfish and trout. Near-shore has produced some great action with Spanish & King mackerel.
[Sarasota,FL] In-shore fishing is good with snook, redfish and trout. Near-shore has produced some great action with Spanish & King mackerel.
We had to move around to find fish, however it proved productive (3/15/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] Weather sure has been an issue for the past couple of weeks. Cold fronts, wind, and rain made the beginning of March seem more like February. My client's and I had to really hunt for the fish
[Sarasota,FL] Weather sure has been an issue for the past couple of weeks. Cold fronts, wind, and rain made the beginning of March seem more like February. My client's and I had to really hunt for the fish
Redfish & Sheepshead action keeping rods bent (2/12/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] With the water staying a little warmer than a normal February fishing great. The redfish are still biting and the sheepshead are starting their spawn
[Sarasota,FL] With the water staying a little warmer than a normal February fishing great. The redfish are still biting and the sheepshead are starting their spawn
Live Select Shrimp = Big Redfish (1/17/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] Finding a large school of big Redfish that hang around the same area for a few weeks makes for great catch & release action on lite-tackle
[Sarasota,FL] Finding a large school of big Redfish that hang around the same area for a few weeks makes for great catch & release action on lite-tackle
Nearshore & Inshore still producing (1/04/2008)
[Sarasota,FL] Mackerel, Kings, and Little Tunny Nearshore reefs. Redfish, Sheepshead, and Pompano Inshore structure
[Sarasota,FL] Mackerel, Kings, and Little Tunny Nearshore reefs. Redfish, Sheepshead, and Pompano Inshore structure