Sarasota, Rick Grassett

Weather was again a factor for anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, during the past week. The coastal gulf was rough most of the week as Tropical Storm Cindy passed to our west causing 4’-6’ seas and dirty water in the gulf. However we were able to tarpon fish a couple of days, jumping a couple of tarpon and catching and releasing one on a live crab with spinning tackle.

Despite a big swell and dirty water, fly anglers had a few shots on Monday, but conditions deteriorated quickly and we were forced off the water early due to a severe thunderstorm. The next 3 days were unfishable for tarpon in the coastal gulf as Tropical Storm Cindy passed by, roughing up the water.

Clark Keator, from Orlando and his son-in-law, Nick DePinto from Dallas, fished the coastal gulf with me on Friday. Conditions still weren’t great, but it was fishable and fortunately the tarpon were there. Sometimes several days of rough water will push tarpon out of their normal patterns, but that wasn’t the case. They jumped 2 tarpon and Nick caught and released his first tarpon on a live crab!

Tarpon fishing should improve next week as sea conditions return to normal. Snook season is closed on the west coast of Florida until Sep 1st, so please handle them gently and release them quickly. Fishing lighted docks and bridges in the ICW for snook with flies and DOA Lures continues to be a good option. This is also a good time frame to sight fish for snook in the surf.

Tight Lines,