Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing trout, Spanish mackerel, pompano and bluefish in Sarasota Bay on flies, DOA Lures and top water plugs during the past couple of weeks. As in recent weeks, the best action was on deep grass flats in about 6' of water.
Anna Maria Island winter resident, Bill Morrison and Sarasota winter resident, Gary Marple, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday, 12/19. We worked deep grass flats on the west side of the bay where they had good action with trout, bluefish, a nice Spanish mackerel and a pompano to end the day on Ultra Hair Clouser flies. Alan Sugar, Ned Winkelman and his grandson Sam, from MI, also had some action catching and releasing a couple of blues and some trout on CAL jigs with shad tails in the same areas on Tuesday, 12/20.
Fly angler Brad Teller, from Boston, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Thursday, 12/22. He had good action catching and releasing trout, bluefish and big ladyfish on Ultra Hair Clouser flies. Jerry Roth, from Longwood, FL, fished shallow water in Sarasota Bay with me on Friday, 12/23. We caught and released a few trout and jacks, including a couple of over slot trout on a CAL jig with a shad tail and a surface walking top water plug.
Chris Walsh and his son Matt, from NY, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday, 12/26. We worked deep grass flats on the west side of the bay where they had good action with trout and bluefish on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos. Lane Thurgood, from VA, and daughters Bella, Beatrice, Bianca and Bronte fished the same areas with me on Tuesday, 12/27. We split the trip in half, switching the girls out so they all had a chance to fish with their dad. They also had good action catching and releasing several blues and numerous trout on Ultra Hair Clouser flies and CAL jigs with shad tails.
Bill Anderson and sons, Sam and Simon, from Columbus, OH, fished with me on Wednesday, 12/28. They had good action with blues, trout and a nice Spanish mackerel on Ultra Hair Clouser flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos. Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL and his son Steve McClintock, from Pittsburgh, fished with me on Thursday, 12/29. They also had good action with some very nice trout and a 4-lb bluefish on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos.
Trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and pompano on deep grass flats should remain to be a good option. Catch and release night snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges in the ICW with flies and DOA Lures should also provide good action. There may be some action in the coastal gulf with false albacore (little tunny) and tripletail depending on sea conditions. I would like to thank all of my clients who fished with me during 2016. Many have become good friends over the years and I've fished with multiple generations of their families. Happy New Year!
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
