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 snook, trout, redfish, Spanish mackerel and jacks on flies, DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails in Sarasota Bay during the past week. The best action was with snook around lighted docks.
Mason Tush and Tim Palmer, of CB's Saltwater Outfitters, fished with me on Wednesday morning. With a strong outgoing tide, we opted to snook fish before dawn, which proved to be a good choice. They caught and released more than a dozen snook to 23", a slot red and several jacks on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly and CAL jigs with shad tails. They also caught and released several trout and jacks near Stephens Point on DOA Deadly Combos and a popper/dropper fly combo rig, a foam popper with either a small Clouser or my Grassett Snook Minnow fly behind it. Adding sound to your lure or fly often makes a difference.
Steve St. Peter and Bob Klutts, both from Lakewood Ranch, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Thursday. We fished deep grass flats on both sides of the bay where they had steady action with trout, including a 3-pound, 22" trout, on DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails. Joe Brinkmeyer and his friend, Bob, from Cincinnati, OH fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. They caught and released a few trout, jacks and a Spanish mackerel near Stephens Point on DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails.
Catch and release snook fishing before daylight and then fishing Sarasota Bay for reds, snook, trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and more should be a good game plan. King and Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), tripletail and cobia should also be good options in the coastal gulf.
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