Sarasota: Rick Grassett

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Report for 2/11/2023

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action catching and releasing reds, snook and trout on DOA Lures in Gasparilla Sound and Tampa Bay recently. Fly anglers also caught and released snook in the ICW at night.

Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL fished a couple of trips with me in Gasparilla Sound. He scored a slam on one trip with several reds, snook and trout caught and released on CAL jigs with shad tails.  Jerry Poslusny, from Palmetto, fished Tampa Bay with me on another trip. We worked hard for a slam, with a nice red and snook caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail, we found a few trout to seal the deal. With cool, clear water, shallow water fishing has been challenging. Jerry and Rich Hunter, from Longboat Key, also fly fished for snook in the ICW at night with me recently and had some action catching and releasing several snook on Grassett Snook Minnow flies. 

I will be the instructor for CB’s Saltwater Outfitters Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing schools on Sat, Feb 18, and Mar 4, 2023. The course, designed for beginning and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basic fly casting principles, improving casting skills and correcting faults.  The comprehensive class will also cover saltwater fly fishing techniques, leader construction and fly selection. Cost for the class, which will run from 8:30 AM to 2 PM, is $225 per person and includes the use of Orvis fly tackle, workbook and lunch. Optional instructional guided fly fishing trips are also available for an additional fee. Contact CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 349-4400 or info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.

Look for reds and trout in skinny water. Deep grass flats are usually a good option for action with trout, blues, pompano, Spanish mackerel and more. Snook fishing around dock lights and bridges should also be a good option now as long as water temperatures stay above 60 degrees. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides and other algae blooms fueled by residential, industrial and agricultural runoff, toxic spills and intentional releases, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett

FFI Certified Fly Casting Instructor

Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide and Casting Instructor/CB’s Saltwater Outfitters

Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011

Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.

www.snookfin-addict.com and www.flyfishingflorida.us 

E-mail snookfin@aol.com

(941) 923-7799 (office/land line)