Capt. Rick Grassett’s Sarasota, FL Fishing Report for 9/3/2016
After the passing of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Hermine recently, I expect fishing in Sarasota Bay to rebound fairly quickly. Although there will be lots of runoff and dirty water, which changes salinity and usually moves fish around, there will also be some positive effects. Water temperature has cooled from the mid 80’s to 80 degrees in Sarasota Bay and 82 degrees in the coastal gulf, which will make fish more active. Also, creeks and canals will have a stronger current and any spillway or weir will have lots of water pouring over them, which will make fish gather to feed in those areas.
Although structure isn’t that plentiful this time of year, the hurricane will change that too. There will be floating debris; anything from parts of docks and boats to palm fronds, etc. which are hazards that you’ll have to be on the lookout for. However, it is also structure that tripletail will be attracted to. Look for them around channel markers, buoys, crab trap floats and floating debris.
I did have a chance to do some scouting during the past week when Steve Traves, owner of Anna Maria Island Outfitters, invited Rusty Chinnis, from Longboat Key, FL, and me to fish with him on Monday. Steve has a new Beavertail flats skiff that is a great boat; stable and well planned with lots of storage! With a strong east wind, it was too windy to fish Tampa Bay, so we opted to check out the coastal gulf where we found Spanish mackerel feeding in several different areas along the beach.
Night snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges in the ICW with flies and DOA Lures should be good. You might also find a few juvenile tarpon and reds in the lights along with snook. Even though snook season is open now, I ask that all snook be released on my boat due to their vulnerability to water quality and temperature. In addition, there should also be good action with trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
IFFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters
Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
www.snookfin-addict.com, www.snookfinaddict.com and www.flyfishingflorida.us
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
(941) 923-7799
Latest posts by Capt. Rick Grassett (see all)
- Sarasota, Rick Grassett - March 12, 2024
- Grasssett Fly March - March 3, 2024
- Grassett March - March 3, 2024
