Rick Grassett, Sarasota

Anglers fishing with me recently, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action in Sarasota Bay catching and releasing trout and a red on CAL jigs with jerk worms and shad tails. Another angler caught and released a blacktip shark on a threadfin while fishing the coastal gulf with me.

Several days of tarpon fishing were either canceled or rescheduled due west winds causing rough and dirty water. However, Hal Lutz from Parrish, FL, was able to get out for tarpon in the coastal gulf a couple of days with me. Hal hooked up on a fly one day and Jeff Stressing, also from Parrish, caught and released a blacktip shark on a threadfin on another trip.

Longtime clients Scott Heidler, from OH and Scottie Heidler, from Miami, fished a day with me last week. We were scheduled to tarpon fish, but conditions wouldn’t allow it so we fished Sarasota Bay instead. They had some action catching and releasing trout on deep grass flats and a red in shallow water on CAL jigs with jerk worms and shad tails.

Tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf is very dependent on conditions, so when conditions are good we should have some opportunities. There should also be good action with trout, blues and Spanish mackerel on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Fishing shallow water for snook and reds with lures and flies is challenging although they should also be a good option now. Fishing dock lights in the ICW at night is always a good option for snook and more. Our natural resources are under constant pressure, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Tight Lines,