Sarasota, Capt Rick Grassett 12/24/2016

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing trout, Spanish mackerel, pompano and bluefish in Sarasota Bay on flies, DOA Lures and top water plugs during the past week. We’ve been fortunate to be enjoying sunny conditions with temperatures in the low 80’s and water temperatures still near 70 degrees.

Anna Maria Island winter resident, Bill Morrison and Sarasota winter resident, Gary Marple, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. We worked deep grass flats on the west side of the bay where they had good action with trout, bluefish, a nice Spanish mackerel and a pompano to end the day on Ultra Hair Clouser flies. Alan Sugar, Ned Winkelman and his grandson Sam, from MI, also had some action catching and releasing a couple of blues and some trout on CAL jigs with shad tails in the same areas on Tuesday.

Fly angler Brad Teller, from Boston, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Thursday. He had good action catching and releasing trout, bluefish and big ladyfish on Ultra Hair Clouser flies. Jerry Roth, from Longwood, FL, fished shallow water in Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. We caught and released a few trout and jacks, including a couple of over slot trout on a CAL jig with a shad tail and a surface walking top water plug.

Trout, blues and more on deep grass flats and snook, reds and larger trout in skinny water should be good options. Catch and release night snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges in the ICW with flies and DOA Lures should also be a good option. With water temperature close to 70 degrees, there should still may be some action in the coastal gulf with false albacore (little tunny). Tripletail should also be a good option depending on conditions. Merry Christmas!

Tight Lines,