Hey there, fellow anglers, it's Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share today's fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, as of February 15, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the conditions. Today, we're looking at a relatively calm day with the sun rising at 7:14 AM and setting at 6:15 PM, giving us about 11 hours of daylight. The tidal coefficient is average, at 53, indicating moderate tidal ranges and currents. For those fishing around Sarasota, the tides are as follows: the first low tide is at 5:45 AM with -0.4 ft, the first high tide at 12:37 PM with 2.5 ft, the second low tide at 5:00 PM with 1.7 ft, and the second high tide at 10:11 PM with 3.5 ft.

Given the frequent fronts and cool water this time of year, fish activity can be a bit unpredictable, but there are still some great opportunities. For inshore fishing, trout and redfish are your best bets in shallow waters. You can also find them, along with blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano, and flounder, on deep grass flats. Look for sheepshead, flounder, and reds around docks, especially during the warmer parts of the day.

If you're targeting snook, night fishing around lighted docks in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) can be productive, especially if you're using small white flies like the Grassett Snook Minnow, DOA Shrimp, or DOA Tiny TerrorEyz. Snook are temperature-sensitive, so avoid targeting them after strong fronts when water temperatures dip below 60 degrees.

For other species, Spanish mackerel and cobia might start showing up in the coastal gulf towards the end of the month as the water warms up. Look for Spanish mackerel on the surface or in passes, and cobia around buoys, channel markers, and crab trap floats.

In terms of lures, soft plastics like the DOA 5.5" jerkbait, MirroLure Provoker, and Lil John are must-haves for inshore fishing. Topwater lures such as the MirroLure Top Dog/Top Pup and Heddon Zara Spook can also be very effective. For suspending baits, the MirroLure Mirrodine is a good choice, and for spoons, the Johnson Silver Minnow (gold) and Eppinger Rex (black) are reliable options.

Hot spots for today include the deep grass flats around Sarasota Bay and the ICW near lighted docks. The edges of bars and potholes in these areas can be particularly productive for flounder and other species. If you're looking for a blustery day alternative, fishing in rivers, creeks, or canals can provide some shelter and good action.

Remember, February can be a tough month due to the cool water and frequent fronts, so timing your fishing trips with favorable weather and tides is crucial. If you can't get out early, consider fishing later in the day when it's warmer.

Stay tight, and good luck out there