Nokomis Community Park Fishing

Nokomis Community Park gives shore anglers a small fishing pier on tidal Curry Creek, tucked inside a county recreation park.

• Sheltered creek water that suits light tackle and short sessions.
• Snook in the creek's deeper bends in the cool months, and jacks and juvenile tarpon when it is warm.
• A kayak launch for exploring the creek on the tide.
• Restrooms, shelters and a playground, so it works for a family outing.

The park is at 234 Nippino Trail East in Nokomis, and the fishing pier and kayak launch sit on Curry Creek at the south side of the park.

• Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• The park is also a recreation center with courts, a community garden and trails, and the county lists it as a trailhead.
• Parking and fees are not described in the county listing.
• The pier is small, so it holds only a few anglers at a time.
• Leashed dogs are allowed.

Curry Creek is tidal, and its fish come and go with the seasons and the water temperature.

• Spring (Mar-May): snook moving back toward the bay, jacks arriving, and sheepshead finishing up around structure.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): juvenile tarpon rolling on calm mornings, jacks and ladyfish on the tide, and mangrove snapper along the shoreline.
• Fall (Sep-Nov): snook and jacks feeding on bait washing out of the creek, with redfish on the falling tide.
• Winter (Dec-Feb): snook sheltering in the deeper creek water after cold fronts, and black drum and sheepshead on the bottom.

Light spinning tackle suits the creek: a 7-foot rod, 15-20 lb braid and a 25-30 lb fluorocarbon leader for snook.

• Snook: a live shrimp or small pinfish drifted along the shoreline, or a dark paddle tail worked slowly on a light jig head in cool water.
• Jacks and juvenile tarpon: small swimbaits, soft jerkbaits or small plugs on a moving tide.
• Snapper, drum and sheepshead: shrimp on a small hook with a split shot, fished near structure.
• Redfish: cut bait or shrimp on the bottom near the creek edges on the falling tide.
• Bring a landing net for bigger fish.

Tides here are mixed: two uneven highs and lows on most days, only one of each on some days, with a small range, and in a creek the direction of the flow matters most.

• Best: a falling tide, when bait drains out of the creek and fish wait for it.
• Cold fronts push snook into the deeper creek water; fish the sunny afternoon after a front.
• Heavy summer rain turns the creek dark and fresh for a few days, which slows most species.
• Summer: fish early and late to avoid heat and afternoon storms.
• After a red tide bloom in the bay, check the FWC red tide status before you go.

The park is a family setting on quiet water, so the hazards are mostly the weather and the wildlife.

• Manatees use Sarasota County's creeks; never cast at them and cut a line rather than tangle one.
• Alligators can turn up in tidal creeks; keep children and dogs back from the water's edge.
• Lightning: summer storms build fast; leave the pier at the first thunder.
• Heat and insects: bring water, sun protection and bug spray for dawn and dusk.
• Accessibility: the county lists paved trails and restrooms; check the route onto the pier on arrival.

The county lists a full recreation park around the creek.

• Fishing pier and a canoe and kayak launch.
• Restrooms and a recreation building.
• Picnic shelters, grills and a playground.
• Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts, outdoor fitness equipment and a community garden.
• Paved and unpaved trails.
• Bait and tackle: none listed; bring shrimp with you.

A few pointers for a small creek pier:

• Go quiet and light; creek snook spook easily in clear water.
• In winter, fish the warmest part of a sunny afternoon, when snook feed in the deeper water.
• Watch for bait flicking on the surface on the falling tide; jacks and snook will be close.
• A kayak from the launch lets you fish the bends and shorelines the pier cannot reach.
• Carry small hooks and split shot; snapper and sheepshead bites in the creek are subtle.

Nokomis Community Park is managed by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

• Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Leashed dogs are allowed.
• Smoking and glass containers are prohibited in county parks.
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• Snook and tarpon have their own seasons and release rules; check FWC before keeping or handling one.
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.