Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action in Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor during the past couple of weeks. Sarasota Bay had the most variety and best action with bluefish, pompano, Spanish mackerel and trout. Anglers fishing Charlotte Harbor with me also had good action with trout.
Fly angler Pete Walacko, from MI, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Jan. 31st. It was Pete's first saltwater fly fishing trip, so the goal was to catch a few fish and get comfortable with different tackle and techniques. Pete caught and released trout, ladyfish and bluefish on Ultra Hair Clouser flies fished on an intermediate fly line in Big Pass and in Roberts Bay.
I was gone on a short vacation the following week and I returned with one of the worst cases of the flu that I've ever had, causing me to miss the next 3 days of fishing. While I was out sick my son-in-law, Capt. Andy Cotton, filled in for me on one of the days and took fly anglers Marshall Dinerman, from Atlanta, GA and his guest fishing in Sarasota Bay. They caught and released several pompano in Big Pass and ladyfish in Roberts Bay on Ultra Hair Clouser flies.
Dick Reece, from Dayton, OH, and Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday, Feb. 12th. They had fast action with bluefish in Big Pass and trout at Stephens Point on CAL jigs with shad tails. Leonard Calhoun, from Toronto, ON, and his friend, Murray, also from ON, fished Charlotte Harbor with me on Thursday. They caught more than 20 trout to 19", including 7 or 8 fish in the slot, on CAL jigs with shad tails. The best action was in Gasparilla Sound and in Bull Bay.
Fly angler Tom Newman, from Oakton, VA, got blown out of a trip with me on Wednesday, but we were able to make it up on Saturday due to a cancellation. Tom caught and released bluefish, Spanish mackerel and trout on Ultra Hair Clouser flies and my Flats Minnow fly. He caught and released 6 or 8 blues and a Spanish mackerel in Big Pass and at the Middleground flat. The best action was sight-casting big trout in potholes near Long Bar where Tom caught and released several trout including a 3-pounder and a pair that went over 4-pounds.
Next week's tides are favorable for reds and trout in potholes of Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor as we head towards a full moon on Feb. 20th. Also, the action with bluefish and Spanish mackerel in the passes and deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay should continue. A front forecast to move through on Monday will cool things off for a couple of days but we should be back to normal by Thursday.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
