Lakewood Ranch Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Lakewood Ranch Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Lakewood Ranch

Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Hey David the fishing has been productive. We are catching cobia and mackerel on the inshore reefs. Trout, redfish and snook are still feeding in the bay. Sharks and tuna are adding some more fun to the party as well!!

Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters Sarasota, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

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Roger Gendron
Charlotte Harbor, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

I have always said when the weather is good the fishing is good. A recent stretch of favorable weather seems to have improved the fishes' appetites. Snook, Reds, and trout are making up for lost time on the flats as the bite is becoming more consistent.

Roger Gendron Charlotte Harbor, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

Redfish Fishing in Charlotte Harbor, Florida

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Hank Valencia
Seminole, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

The weather temps dipped and found lots of bug mackerel and sharks off the beach. There’s Tripletail by the crab bouys but mostly shorts. Hoping the Kings will show up soon and hope to get one tomorrow. The reefs are holding Gags and Cobia.

Hank Valencia Seminole, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

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Darius Kirschner
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Darius Kirschner Sarasota, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

The fishing in the Sarasota area has been great. Whether you are fishing off the beach or in the bay there has been a consistent bite with multiple different species. Off the beaches right now, you can expect to catch a limit of Spanish mackerel along with cobia and King mackerel. The little Tony a.k.a. Bonita is soon to arrive to the party. All of these fish make great table fare and are a blast to catch. On the inshore side of things, the snook and red fish fishing has been on fire. With with plenty of bait around the fish have been very active. The pompano and sheepshead should be biting in the next few weeks as the water temperatures drop.

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Scott Tesinsky
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Scott Tesinsky Sarasota, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

October's off to a great start as our pelagic fish are starting to move south. The bait is plentiful inside the passes and around grass flats . We are consistently catching Cobia, bonita, kingfish and Spanish mackerel at the nearshore reefs using live Pilchards . Covering the entire water Column is key , triple tail are starting to be targeted as the stone crab traps are put out. Typically we run full speed by the stone trap bouys looking for triple tail and then we sight cast to them . October and November are prime triple tail months . Also this is a great time to target blacktip sharks under the schools of mackeral using cut bait on wire leaders . Inside the bay sea trout, snook and redfish are feeding before winter . Using live Pilchards is key. I typically am out an hour before the charter catching hundreds of live Pilchards giving us a great chance for a non stop fishing adventure.

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Joe Burruezo
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Redfish and grouper bite is still going strong

Joe Burruezo Tampa, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

Redfish and grouper bite is still going strong

Redfish fishing in Holmes Beach, Florida

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James Gibson
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

James Gibson Sarasota, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

Summer is slowly coming to an end here in Sarasota, Florida and we are excited to be seeing signs of Fall. Our Trout Fishing has been fantastic in Sarasota Bay along our deeper grass flats with tons of action from other by catch, Jacks, Lady Fish, Mangrove Snapper and Triple Tail. We have also started to find schools of Redfish along our shallower grass flats and mangrove islands. The Snook fishing in Sarasota seems to always be good as our customers have enjoyed catching Snook in both our passes ( New Pass, Big Pass) and along our mangrove islands and oysters bars on the higher tides.

Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout fishing in Sarasota, Florida

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Darius Kirschner
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 3 years ago

Darius Kirschner Sarasota, Florida Reported: 3 years ago

Fall is coming and the fishing continues to get better! The water temps are cooling down and the fish are on the move. Snook, Redfish, SeaTrout, and Mangrove Snapper are everywhere right now and we are having great days of fishing for these guys. Big schools of spawning bull redfish are starting to show themselves on the flats here in Sarasota and one things for sure, they are hungry! Come join us to get on a trip of a lifetime with family or friends.

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★★★★★
Captain Vasily is great!! great conversationalist. Great Guide!! We caught so many fish that i got tired.
Lewis C. | December 14, 2025

Trip: 8 Hours Fishing Trip
★★★★★
Great day lots of action. Captain Brian is cool !! We had soon much fun.!!
Dusan D. | December 13, 2025

Trip: Tampa Bay Inshore Rodeo
★★★★★
My son in law and 2 grandsons booked Captain Mike for a 6 hour trip. All of us had a great time. The Fishing was off but Mike found the fish and we came back with 3 big red grouper. Mike has good equipment and I would recommend him to anyone. Hopefully we can go with him again.
John W. | December 7, 2025

Trip: Sarasota Offshore W/ Capt Mike
★★★★★
Had an amazing day on the water with Captain Joe! His deep knowledge of local fishing and boating made the trip so fun. Highly recommend his charter for a great day out!
Dan E. | November 27, 2025

Trip: 4 Hour Trip Inshore
★★★★★
Wonderful day on the water!! Very family friendly!!
Donna M. | November 26, 2025

Trip: Redington Shores Nearshore/Offshore
★★★★★
Fantastic day on the water with Captain Alex. I showed up to the dock a little early and everything was already dialed in—the boat was spotless, fully prepared, and stocked with fresh bait he’d caught that morning. Even on a quick half-day trip, we covered multiple areas and switched up tactics, starting with snook along mangroves and docks before moving on to speckled trout and mackerel. Captain Alex struck the perfect balance between being helpful and letting me fish how I wanted. He was always ready to assist, but also encouraged me to bait hooks, handle fish, and stay fully involved. The action stayed steady, and he offered great coaching and insight whenever I had questions. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I’d absolutely book with him again and look forward to getting back out there soon!
Scott S. | November 25, 2025

Trip: Bradenton Classic Inshore
★★★★★
Outstanding experience with Alex and his skills and knowledge. Great day of fishing with everyone in the group catching a ton and we have a great time. Highly recommend!
Mike H. | November 25, 2025

Trip: Bradenton Classic Inshore
★★★★★
Booked a trip with Captain Cole and from the start there was good and timely communication. Brought my two younger boys who had a blast! Cole was patient, answered their 100 questions, and took us to nice spots where we pulled out some nice fish and the boys were thrilled! We had a blast!
Morgan H. | November 25, 2025

Trip: Sarasota Inshore/Nearshore
★★★★★
We had a great trip Taylor!! He was a great captain! We caught LOTS of fish. Super knowledgeable and such a pleasure to be around. We will definitely be calling him when we come back to Florida again. Top notch experience! Caught mackerel, trout, groupers, Jack fish, lady fish, lizard fish, catfish and we saw a dolphin. Thank you for a great experience!
Laura Q. | November 24, 2025

Trip: Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton
★★★★★
Joey put us on the fish almost instantly once we stopped. First drop all 4 poles hit an it was hard to make time for lunch or drinks with our deck hand Linda keeping us lock an loaded with bait and tackle. Great people an a great time! Deff would recommend these guys for any of your fishing trips!
Keith H. | November 22, 2025

Trip: Offshore Fishing 4-8 Hours