Sarasota: Rick Grassett

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Sarasota Fishing Report for 10/15/2022

Fortunately the Sarasota area fared well during Hurricane Ian compared to areas to our south. Others suffered catastrophic damages that may take years to recover from. Although there is still a large amount of runoff, Sarasota Bay is recovering nicely. Fly anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing snook, trout and several other species recently. 

Pat Beckwith, from Sarasota, fished deep grass flats with sink tip fly lines and weighted flies on a couple of trips with me and in addition to numerous trout, she also caught and released Spanish mackerel. Andrew Terry, from Longboat Key, caught and released a huge jack on a fly with an 8-wt on another trip. After a 30-minute battle and dodging numerous obstructions, he brought the 14-lb fish to the boat. Great job! Dave Smid, from Springfield, MO, fished dock lights before dawn in Sarasota Bay with me and had good action catching and releasing numerous snook on flies. He also fished deep grass flats with Clouser flies on sink tip fly lines and had good action with trout.

Snook fishing around dock lights and bridges should be a good option now. You may also find juvenile tarpon in canals and creeks and in a few places mixed with snook around dock lights. Look for reds in skinny water. Fishing deep grass flats for a variety of species is also usually a good option for action. 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)