Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, continue to have fast action with trout on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay, reds and snook recently. A persistent wind has made fishing tough lately.
Bill Moore, from Libertyville, IL, and his step-grandson, Shane, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday, March 30th. They had steady action on the east side of the bay with trout and jacks. The following day Sarasota winter residents, Harry Beaty and Tom Schalk, fished the same areas with me. They caught more than 20 trout, including 7 or 8 in the slot, and a bluefish. Best areas were at Stephens Point, Bayshore Gardens and near Long Bar.
Fly angler Nick Reding, from Longboat Key, FL, fished with me on Wednesday, April 1st. It was a windy day, but we found some protection from it. We waded a mangrove shoreline north of Long Bar and had lots of shots at reds and snook. Nick caught and released a snook on a Clouser fly. Late in the day we made a couple of drifts near Buttonwood Harbor and caught several trout to 4-pounds and a Spanish mackerel on Ultra Hair Clouser flies.
Bruce Kulp and his wife, Ronna Romney, from Longboat Key, fished the west side of Sarasota Bay with me on Thursday. They did well on trout, catching and releasing more than 15 trout to 21", including 6 or 7 in the slot, on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos near Buttonwood Harbor.
Friday's fly trip was blown out and we had our last Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing school of the season at CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Saturday. We should have the schedule for next year's schools completed by late summer or early fall. Info will be posted on my web sites as soon as it is available. Wind and another front passed through early in the week causing a couple of more cancellations.
Perry Greene and his son Dirk, from MI, fished Sarasota Bay with me a couple of days later in the week. The action was steady with trout and Spanish mackerel. They caught and released about 15 trout, a Spanish mackerel and a nice red on Thursday. It was Perry's first red on a fly. Congratulations! On Saturday, the action was similar except no reds. Dirk caught the big fish that day, an over-slot trout. All fish were caught on Ultra Hair Clouser flies and CAL jigs with shad tails along the west side of Sarasota Bay. The best areas were near Buttonwood Harbor and Long Bar.
We are at a prime time for reds, snook and trout on shallow flats. In addition, resident tarpon should begin showing up on deep grass flats. Deep grass flats will have the most variety and action with trout, Spanish mackerel and pompano. If you're looking for bigger fish, fish shallow water for reds and snook.
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
