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, tarpon, trout, mangrove snapper, tripletail, bluefish and redfish on flies, DOA Shrimp, DOA Deadly Combos and top water plugs in Sarasota during the past couple of weeks.
Fly angler Will Travis, from Houston, TX, fished a predawn snook/flats trip in Sarasota Bay with me on Monday morning. 8/17. This is a great trip this time of the year since it puts anglers on the water at dawn, which is a prime time of day. In addition to snook, there is also a chance for tarpon, reds and more around dock lights and flats action is best at first light when water is cooler. Will caught and released a snook and jumped a tarpon on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly before moving to the flats where he caught and released trout and mangrove snapper on my Grassett Flats Bunny and Clouser flies.
Raul Ortiz, from Longboat Key, FL, fished with me on Friday morning, 8/21. We worked bait schools on deep grass flats where he had good action catching and releasing more than 20 trout to 19" on DOA Deadly Combos. We also found a few tripletail and he caught and released 3 tripletail on DOA Shrimp.
Fly angler Bob Delano, from Savannah, GA, fished a predawn snook/flats trip in Sarasota Bay with me on Friday morning, 8/28. He caught and released several snook, a tarpon and jumped a couple of other tarpon on flies. An experienced fly angler and fly tier, Bob tied up some glass minnow fly creations of his own which worked very well for the snook and tarpon.
Al Ribas and Joey Armas, from Miami, FL and AJ Ribas, from Port Charlotte, FL, fished with me on Saturday morning, 8/29. We worked bait schools on deep and shallow grass flats on the east side of Sarasota Bay, where they had steady action catching and releasing numerous trout, jacks, ladyfish, bluefish, snook and a nice red on top water plugs. Joey caught and released a 25" red near the end of the trip to complete his slam!
Tarpon are moving to inside waters, where you may find them around lighted docks and bridges, on deep grass flats or in Sarasota Bay, upper Charlotte Harbor and areas of Tampa Bay. Catch and release snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges close to passes with flies or DOA Lures should continue to be a good option. You may also find trout, Spanish mackerel, blues and jacks on deep grass flats, particularly close to passes. Look for reds, snook and big trout mixed with mullet schools on shallow flats and edges of bars.
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
