Sarasota, Rick Grassett

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with tarpon in the coastal gulf in Sarasota during the past week. Spin fishing anglers hooked up several times on live crabs and brought one fish to the boat. Fly anglers got in on the action, also jumping a tarpon.

Fly anglers had plenty of shots on a trip early in the week. After several color changes we got it right, jumping a tarpon and fighting it for several jumps before it chewed through the bite tippet close to the boat.

Dave Reinhart and Domenick Raschella, both from VA, fished a couple of days with me later in the week. We had action both days, getting several bites and jumping a couple of tarpon on live crabs. Dave had one on for about 30-minute, fighting the fish to the boat where it also chewed through our 80-lb leader.

Tarpon schools should increase in size and number as we approach a full moon on June 9th. Snook season is closed on the west coast of Florida until Sep 1st, so please handle them gently and release them quickly. This is a good time frame to sight fish for snook in the surf when conditions are good. Fishing lighted docks and bridges in the ICW for snook with flies and DOA Lures continues to be a good option. You should also find larger trout in shallow water along with reds when conditions are good.

Tight Lines,