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 on a variety of DOA Lures and top water plugs on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay during the past couple of weeks. Despite a persistent west wind, we also had some action fly fishing for tarpon although several trips had to be cancelled.
Anglers fishing with me on several trips caught and released trout to 3-pounds on CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos and top water plugs on deep grass flats on both sides of Sarasota Bay.
Tarpon weren't plentiful, but in a good mood. Fly anglers had only a few shots at tarpon on a couple of trips and one hookup. We've been in a west wind pattern for almost 3-weeks, causing rough water and often poor visibility due to storm clouds, making conditions tough for tarpon fishing.
This is a great time of year to fish very early in the day before heat becomes an issue. I often start before dawn fishing lighted docks for catch and release snook, tarpon, reds, trout and more. After daylight, a move to the flats puts you in the right place at the coolest time of day. I'll usually fish until mid to late morning when water temperatures rise and begin to negatively affect shallow water fishing.
There may also be some action late in the day with reds that may tail on shallow flats or gather in potholes or edges of flats and bars on extreme low tides surrounding full and new moon phases. This may be more likely if rain has cooled the water and overcast conditions also help to keep water temperatures down. However in a normal weather pattern, thunderstorms are more likely late in the day, so watch out for lightning.
Catch and release snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges close to passes with flies or DOA Lures should be good options next week. You may also find trout, Spanish mackerel or blues 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. There should still be some tarpon action in the coastal gulf when the west wind pattern ends and we switch back to a normal weather pattern of east wind in the morning and an afternoon sea breeze.
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