Fly anglers fishing the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon during the past couple of weeks. We had numerous shots at tarpon on several days of fishing, a couple of hook ups and one tarpon landed. Spin fishing anglers also got in on the action, hooking up several times and bringing a couple of tarpon to the boat.
Joel Morsch, from Bradenton, FL, fly fished for tarpon in the coastal gulf in Sarasota several days with me early in the week of 6/20. He had several eats and hooked up a couple of times. He fought one fish through numerous jumps and a long run before bringing the fish to the boat!
Terry Notari, from Longboat Key, FL, son Craig from Chicago and grandson James, from Austin, TX, tarpon fished a couple of days in the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me 0n 6/24 and 25. Craig and James used both spin and fly tackle, getting some shots with a fly and James hooked up and landed a tarpon with spinning tackle on a live crab. He fought the fish through numerous jumps and runs before bring the fish to the boat.
Hal Lutz, from Parrish, FL and Jeb Mulock. From Bradenton, FL, fished with me on Thursday, 6/30. With poor visibility, Hal laid a quick back cast down and hooked up on a short cast. He fought the tarpon through numerous jumps and runs before the fish was leadered and successfully released. Well done!
Mike Storey, from Bradenton, FL, fished with me on Friday, 7/1. Mike had previously done some fly casting instruction and a flats fly fishing trip with me and was ready for the challenge of tarpon. Since it was his first time targeting tarpon with a fly, we worked on line handling, presentations and various other aspects of fly fishing for tarpon. He has a good eye and was able to spot numerous fish at a considerable distance. It all came together for him late in the day as he spotted a single and made a quick, accurate cast that resulted in a hook up. He fought the fish through several jumps and a smoking run before the hook pulled. A great job!
Tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf should be a good option next week depending on conditions, as we head away from a new moon on July 4th. Outgoing tides in the afternoon should be best. Snook season is closed now on the west coast of Florida, but catch and release night snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges in the ICW with flies and DOA Lures should be another good option. Trout, bluefish and more should also be good options on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay.
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
