Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing trout, bluefish and jacks on DOA Deadly Combos, CAL jigs with shad tails and top water plugs in Sarasota Bay and reds, snook, trout, bluefish and flounder in Gasparilla Sound on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos during the past week.
Jerry Roth, from Orlando, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me last Sunday. He cast top water plugs on deep grass flats along the west side of the bay and caught and released blues, jacks and trout. John Stenger and his son, Jeff, from KY, fished the same areas with me on Monday. They caught and released trout, blues and jacks on DOA Deadly Combos.
With an upcoming trip in the Boca Grande area and since I hadn't fished there lately, I needed to do some scouting. Capt. Andy Cotton, also out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters, joined me to fish Gasparilla Sound on Thursday where we caught and released several reds, snook, trout and a nice flounder on CAL jigs with shad tails. I hooked a fish that took off on a screaming run and was surprised when it jumped that it was decent sized barracuda! Despite 8 inches of rain earlier in the week, fishing was good. A positive effect of all the rain is that it dropped water temperature on shallow flats into the high 70's.
Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL, Jack McCulloch, from Lakewood Ranch, FL and Dennis Stroer, from Venice, FL, fished the same area with me on Friday. They had good action catching and releasing several snook, reds, and flounder in skinny water and with trout and a nice blue on DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails on deep grass flats.
Beat the heat by catch and release snook fishing before daylight and then look for reds, trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and more in Sarasota Bay. Action with false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and more should begin in the coastal gulf any time now.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB's Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
