Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor
Spanish Mackerel in Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor
Fast retrieved spoons, Gotcha plugs and jigs around bait schools, piers, passes and nearshore reefs.
Next three days
| Day | Bite | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Sep 13 | 8 | New Moon feeding boost. Light wind. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
| Mon, Sep 14 | 7 | Light wind. Heat, fish early or late. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
| Tue, Sep 15 | 6 | Rain likely 75%. Heat, fish early or late. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
Seasonal pattern
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Editorial baseline for Florida. Green months are prime, yellow fair, red slow. Preferred water temperature 68–82°F.
Regulations that apply here
Applies to: Gulf and Atlantic State Waters
| Species / zone | Season | Size | Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Mackerel Statewide | open now Open year-round | 12" fork length | 15 per harvester | Legal Gear: beach or haul seine, cast net, hook and line, spear |
- The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is hosting port meetings along the Atlantic coast regarding king and Spanish mackerel fisheries.
Source: FWC, extracted 2026-09-12.