Fishing Reports by Captain Rick Grassett

About The Author: Captain

Company: Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.

Area Reporting: Soutwest Florida

Bio: Capt. Rick Grassett, owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc., is a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He has been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis Endorsed Outfitter fly fishing guide at CB's Saltwater Outfitters in Sarasota. Specializing in fishing with flies and lures on light spinning tackle, Capt. Rick fishes the bays, back country and coastal gulf waters from Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor in his 18' Action Craft flats boat. He is a Federation of Fly Fishers certified fly casting instructor. Destination fishing trips are another specialty of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service. Capt. Rick has lead groups of fly anglers to remote fishing locations around the world. Crane Meadow Lodge, MT, Los Roques, Venezuela, Andros Island Bonefish Club and Bonefish Bay Club in the Bahamas are several destinations where he has hosted groups in the past. Capt. Rick is a field editor for Saltwater Angler magazine and a monthly columnist for the Tampa Tribune. He has written articles for The Fisherman magazine and Orvis News. In addition to writing for these publications, he has been featured in articles in Florida Sportsman, Sportfishing, The Fisherman and Fly Fishing in Saltwater magazines. Capt. rick's web site, www.snookfin-addict.com features weekly fishing reports, current photos and and monthly fishing forecasts. He also maintains a second website that is specific to fly fishing and fly casting instruction, www.flyfishingflorida.net.

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Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain
Good Night Snook Fly Fishing Action in Sarasota (8/26/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] I was away on a family vacation recently, so I don't have much to report locally. However, I did get out for a trip after we returned. A fly angler fishing Sarasota Bay with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action catching and releasing snook, jacks, mangrove snapper and ladyfish on flies on his first ever saltwater fly fishing trip.
Still Some Tarpon Fly Fishing Action in Sarasota (8/05/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Fly anglers fishing with me recently, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, continued to have some action with tarpon. We had about a dozen shots and jumped one tarpon on one trip.
Fly Tarpon Anglers Getting Some Late SeasonTarpon Action (7/23/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, continued to have some action with tarpon recently. We had numerous shots at tarpon each trip, jumping several fish.
Fly Tarpon Anglers Getting Some Late Season Tarpon Action (7/23/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, continued to have some action with tarpon recently. We had numerous shots at tarpon each trip, jumping several fish.
Good Tarpon Fly Fishing Action in Sarasota (7/08/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon during the past couple of weeks. With the weather in a normal pattern of an east breeze in the morning, an afternoon sea breeze and plenty of sun, fly anglers had lots of shots at tarpon each day, jumping numerous tarpon and catching and releasing several.
Good Tarpon Action in Sarasota Despite Tough Conditions (6/24/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had decent action with tarpon in the coastal gulf in Sarasota during the past couple of weeks. However weather was again a factor during the week of June 19.
Good Tarpon Action in Sarasota Despite Tough Conditions (6/11/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] 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 couple of weeks. Spin fishing anglers hooked up numerous times on live crabs and brought several fish to the boat. Fly anglers got in on the action, also jumping a tarpon.
Limited Tarpon Action in Sarasota Due to Poor Conditions (5/27/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] 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 couple of weeks. Spin fishing anglers hooked up several times and brought one fish to the boat. Sea conditions have been poor, with a lot of rough and cloudy water, making sight fishing for tarpon tou
Fly Tarpon Anglers Getting Some Early Season Action (5/13/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Tarpon time! Numbers of tarpon increased as we approached a full moon last week and fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with them. Tarpon numbers will continue to increase as we head into late May and June and they form larger schools in preparation for spawning.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay & Gasparilla Sound Flats (5/02/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, bluefish, flounder and snook in Sarasota Bay and trout, flounder and snook in Gasparilla Sound on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and 2.75 DOA Shrimp during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Grass Flats (4/15/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught trout, bluefish and flounder in Sarasota Bay on flies and CAL jigs with shad during the past week.
Good Action on Terra Ceia Flats & ICW near Venice at Night (4/09/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught trout, bluefish and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay and caught and released snook, reds, trout and flounder in the Terra Ceia area and snook at night in the ICW on flies and CAL jigs with shad during the past couple of weeks. A persistent wind during the week of 4/3 made fishing challenging, but fish cooperated.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Deep Grass Flats (3/27/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, bluefish and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay & Gasparilla Sound Flats (3/11/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, blues and jacks in the ICW at night, trout and bluefish in Sarasota Bay, snook and trout in the Terra Ceia Bay area and snook, redfish and trout in Gasparilla Sound on CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Shrimp and flies during the past week. The best action was with snook and bluefish at night on flies
Good Action on Sarasota Bay & Gasparilla Sound Flats (2/11/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook at night in the ICW near Venice, trout, blues and flounder in Sarasota Bay and trout, snook, reds, pompano and a permit in Gasparilla Sound on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms during the past week. The best action was catch and release snook fishing in the ICW at night.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay & Gasparilla Sound Flats (1/28/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, pompano, Spanish mackerel and bluefish on CAL jigs with shad tails in Sarasota Bay and trout, snook and reds in Gasparilla Sound on CAL jigs with shad tails, 4 jerk worms and flies during the past couple of weeks.
Good Sarasota Night & Backcountry Snook Action (1/15/2017)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing snook, trout, bluefish and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay, snook and blues in the ICW south of Sarasota and snook, trout and redfish in Gasparilla Sound on flies and DOA Lures during the past week. The best action was catching and releasing snook in the ICW and in skinny water.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Deep Grass Flats (12/31/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] 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 couple of weeks. As in recent weeks, the best action was on deep grass flats in about 6' of water.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Deep Flats & ICW near Venice (12/17/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action catching and releasing trout and bluefish on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay, snook and blues in the ICW at night and snook, trout and pompano on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails in Gasparilla Sound during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Deep Grass Flats (12/06/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Action was steady on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay during the past couple of weeks. Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout and blues on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos.I was on a road trip to Hopedale, LA to fly fish for reds with several friends during the week of 11/28, so I don't have a Sarasota report for that time frame.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Grass Flats (11/20/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me during the past week, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, trout, redfish and blues on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails. Action was steady on deep grass flats on the east side of the bay.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay & Gasparilla Sound Flats (11/04/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay, the ICW near Venice and Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande with me during the past couple of weeks, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released reds, snook, trout, blues and pompano on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails. Shallow water fishing for snook, trout and reds and trout and blues on deep grass flats is improving as the water cools down.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Deep Grass Flats (10/09/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me during the past couple of weeks, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released juvenile tarpon, trout and jacks on DOA Lures and flies.
Good Tampa Bay False Albacore Fly Fishing Action (9/25/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] I was away visiting family in Delaware during the week of 9/11, so I don't have a Sarasota fishing report for that time frame.However, I did have a chance to fish Chesapeake Bay a couple of days while I was there.Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf near Tampa Bay with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, during the week of 9/18 caught and released trout on DOA Deadly Combos and false albacore (little tunny) on flies.
Good Action in Sarasota Bay with Snook and on Deep Grass Flats (9/09/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] As expected, fishing rebounded quickly following the passing of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Hermine. Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, during the past week caught and released snook, trout and bluefish on DOA Deadly Combos and flies
Good Action in Sarasota and Tampa Bay (8/27/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Fishing can be good in late August and September as long as you fish smart. For most species this usually means fishing early in the day, before heat is an issue. There are also some seasonal things that start to happen now, such as false albacore (little tunny) and tripletail, which could be a good option later in the day when visibility is better.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Deep Grass Flats & Docks (8/16/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, during the week of Aug 1st caught and released trout and ladyfish on flies and DOA Deadly Combos. We also fished dock lights one morning before dawn on a pre-dawn/bay trip and caught and released snook on CAL jigs with shad tails.
Good Tarpon Fly Fishing Action in Sarasota (8/02/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon, trout and bluefish during the past couple of weeks. We fished multiple days in the coastal gulf, had shots at tarpon every day and multiple eats with five hook ups, two tarpon caught and released and another fought to close to the boat.
Good Tarpon & Snook Fly Fishing Action in Sarasota (7/19/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with catch and release snook, trout and tarpon with flies and DOA Lures during the past couple of weeks. We had numerous shots at tarpon in the coastal gulf most days, twelve hook ups and five tarpon caught and released.
Good Tarpon Action in Sarasota (7/02/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Fly anglers fishing the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon during the past couple of weeks. We had numerous shots at tarpon on several days of fishing, a couple of hook ups and one tarpon landed. Spin fishing anglers also got in on the action, hooking up several times and bringing a couple of tarpon to the boat.
Good Tarpon Action in Sarasota (6/18/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with tarpon in the coastal gulf in Sarasota, getting numerous shots at tarpon and jumping several tarpon during the past couple of weeks. A fly angler fishing with me also had some action catching and releasing trout on a couple of trips in Sarasota Bay.
Good Tarpon Action in Sarasota (6/04/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] I have been off the water for the last couple of weeks, so I don't have a local fishing report. However, tarpon fishing has been strong in Sarasota as schools of fish have increased in size and numbers during that time frame. Tarpon will head offshore to spawn on this weekend's new moon and will return to the beach within a few days as singles, doubles and smaller schools giving fly anglers good opportunities.
Good Tarpon Action in Sarasota (5/21/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had decent action in the coastal gulf in Sarasota jumping 4 tarpon and catching and releasing 2 during the past couple of weeks. As expected, tarpon numbers increased and large schools became more plentiful as water temperatures rose into the 80's and we approached a full moon.
Tarpon Action Ready to Take Off in Sarasota (5/07/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] It's tarpon time! As water temperatures continue to rise in the next few days and weeks, migratory tarpon will become more plentiful along our beaches in the coastal gulf. Depending on conditions, tarpon may also be more aggressive now due to less fishing pressure early in the season.
Good Action and Variety on Sarasota Bay Deep Grass Flats (4/24/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released blues, Spanish mackerel and trout in Sarasota Bay on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Deep Grass Flats & ICW Near Venice (4/09/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook in the ICW near Venice at night, trout, snook and redfish in Charlotte Harbor and trout and bluefish on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay on flies and DOA Lures during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Grass Flats and ICW near Venice at Night (3/27/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had great action catching and releasing trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and cobia on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay and snook at night in the ICW near Venice on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action in Sarasota Coastal Gulf & ICW Near Venice, FL (3/13/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, pompano and ladyfish in Sarasota Bay, trout and redfish in Gasparilla Sound, tripletail in the coastal gulf and snook at night in the ICW near Venice on CAL jigs with shad tails and flies during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Flats & ICW near Venice. FL (3/01/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook at night in the ICW near Venice on flies, trout and ladyfish in Sarasota Bay and Gasparilla Sound and trout and redfish in Terra Ceia Bay on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails during the past couple of weeks. The best action was with snook at night and big trout in skinny water on flies.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay & Gasparilla Sound Flats (2/14/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, bluefish and ladyfish on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay and trout in Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande on CAL jigs with shad tails and flies during the past week.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay & Gasparilla Sound Flats (1/31/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, trout and redfish in Gasparilla Sound and trout, bluefish and ladyfish in Sarasota Bay on CAL jigs with shad tails and flies during the past couple of weeks. Cold air and water, wind and rain were an issue, causing the cancellation of a few trips. Flats close to passes were most productive due to slightly warmer, more stable water temperatures.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay & Gasparilla Sound Flats (1/17/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, redfish, trout, pompano and blues in Sarasota Bay and trout, blues and redfish in Gasparilla Sound on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos and snook in the ICW near Venice at night on flies during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Grass Flats and Coastal Gulf of Mexico (1/02/2016)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, redfish, trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and jacks in Sarasota Bay and tripletail, cobia, Spanish mackerel and false albacore in the coastal gulf on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Shrimp and top water plugs during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action in Sarasota & Hopedale, LA (12/19/2015)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout and flounder on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos in Sarasota Bay, snook and jacks in the ICW near Venice at night and bluefish, Spanish mackerel and false albacore in the coastal gulf on flies during the past couple of weeks. I also went on a road trip to New Orleans to fly fish for reds with several friends.
Action With a Variety of Species on Sarasota Flats (12/05/2015)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, flounder and trout on CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos, top water plugs and live shrimp in Sarasota Bay and Little Sarasota Bay during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action in Sarasota Coastal Gulf of Mexico & Gasparilla Sound (11/23/2015)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released false albacore, tripletail and Spanish mackerel in the coastal gulf in Sarasota on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and top water plugs and snook, reds and bluefish on flies, CAL jigs with a variety of plastic tails and floating/diving plugs in Charlotte Harbor during the past couple of weeks
Good Action in Sarasota Coastal Gulf of Mexico (11/09/2015)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook and trout in Sarasota Bay and tripletail and Spanish mackerel in the coastal gulf on flies during week of 10/25
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Grass Flats and Coastal Gulf of Mexico (10/26/2015)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, trout, jacks, tripletail, Spanish mackerel and a cobia on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms in Sarasota Bay and tripletail and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal gulf on flies during the past couple of weeks.
Good Action on Sarasota Bay Grass Flats and Coastal Gulf of Mexico (10/11/2015)
[Sarasota,FL] Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, snook, bluefish and jacks in Sarasota Bay on DOA Deadly Combos, top water plugs and flies and tripletail in the coastal gulf on flies during the past couple of weeks.
Good Snook and Flats Action in Sarasota Bay & Gasparilla Sound (9/28/2015)
[Sarasota,FL] I was away on a family vacation during the week of 9/12 so I don't have a Sarasota fishing report for that week. Back in Sarasota anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, redfish, trout and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay on flies and snook, trout and flounder in Gasparilla Sound on CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms during the past week.
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