Sarasota/Venice Florida area question?

[SpeckWick]

I am going to be in the Sarasota area close to Venice/Nakomis next weekend and I am looking to do a little fishing in the backwaters and the bays in the area. I would like to cast jigs or soft plastics if they'll work. Can anybody point me in the right direction as to what to try and what fish I should be targeting? I usually just walk or float the little "creeks" or whatever you call tham casting bucktails for whatever will hit them and I catch a snook here, a small red there, maybe a pompano, but being from Ohio I'm not there enough to really know how to target specific kinds of fish. I'd love to get into some specks or reds if there is any good fishing for them between Sarasota and Venice that I can get to without hiring a guide or having a boat. Thanks for any help in advance. The ice has been covering the lakes here in Ohio for a few weeks and I am in dire need of some tight lines.