Fly and spin 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 and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos and top water plugs and redfish and trout in the Terra Ceia area on CAL jigs with shad tails and flies during the past couple of weeks.
Dave Reinhart, from VA and Dan Reinhart, from PA, fished the Terra Ceia area with me on Sunday. They caught and released a nice red on a CAL jig with a shad tail. We worked on fly casting techniques in the afternoon and they caught and released several trout on Ultra Hair Clouser flies.
Anglers fishing with me on several other trips during the week of 3/15 worked deep grass flats on both sides of Sarasota Bay using Ultra Hair Clouser flies fished on sink tip fly lines, CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos where they caught and released trout to 18".
I was one of the instructors at Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers (MCFF) casting clinic at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota on Saturday, 3/21. More than 30 students participated in the clinic that focused on correcting problems or improving fly casting skills. A great benefit provided by MCFF!
Beale Ong, from St. Michaels, MD and John Mathis, from University Park, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday afternoon, 3/25. We worked deep grass flats on both sides of the bay where they caught and released trout and Spanish mackerel on CAL jigs with shad tails and Ultra Hair Clouser flies fished on sink tip fly lines.
Shane Reilly and Austin Bitta, both from Libertyville, IL, fished the same areas with me on Thursday, 3/26. They had steady action with trout to 18" on CAL jigs with shad tails, top water plugs and DOA Deadly Combos. Orvis social media director Tucker Kimball, from VT, also fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday, 3/27. We worked deep grass flats and edges of bars on the west side of the bay where he caught and released trout and jacks on Ultra Hair Clouser and EP flies.
There are still some spots available in CB's Saltwater Outfitters Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing School on Saturday, Apr 11th, which will be last one until fall. I will be the instructor for the school which will cover fly casting basics, line control, shooting line and the roll cast. The course, designed for beginning and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basics but also work with intermediate casters on correcting faults and improving casting skills. Leader construction, fly selection and saltwater fly fishing techniques will also be covered. Cost for the school, which will run from 8:30 AM to 3 PM, is $150 per person and includes the use of Orvis fly tackle, a text book and lunch. Contact CB's Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 349-4400 or info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.
You may find trout, Spanish mackerel, blues, pompano or flounder 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.
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
