Last week, I spoke too soon about the red tide only being in the Siesta Key area. The red tide has actually grown and is in Sarasota Bay, from Longboat Key, south into Sarasota Bay. It's hard to find a place to fish that hasn't been effected by the tide. So far, best results inshore, the area from Palma Sola Bay north and east to Bishops Harbor would be the best bet for snook, trout and redfish. Snook and redfish activity has been steady near the mouth of Palma Sola Bay, just inside of Perico Bayou, the Manatee River and north to Terra Ceia, Miguel and Joes Bays.
Reds are probably the most prevelent.
Despite all the dark water flowing out of the back bays and rivers, they seem to be doing the best. The fishing has been surprisingly good. Snook have been on the small side on the flats during the day, but at night around the docks, piers and bridges, keeper size fish are available for anglers, using stout tackle and live bait like pinfish, grunts, mullet or lady fish freelined up near or under the structure. Trout are mostly on the small side, but there are some larger fish around and with some persistence, you may find some. Alot of the time, however, it is easier to just target redfish and not waste the time to look for a large trout.