Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had decent action with tarpon in the coastal gulf in Sarasota during the past couple of weeks. However weather was again a factor during the week of June 19. The coastal gulf was rough most of that week as Tropical Storm Cindy passed to our west, causing 4'-6' seas and dirty water in the gulf limiting our fishing to only a couple of days that week.
Barry Slee, from IL, and a friend fished several days with me early in the week of June 12th. They had action every day, jumping a total of 5 tarpon with a couple of other eats, catching and releasing 2 of them.
Denis Clohisy, from WI, and Jim Dempsey from IL, fished several days with me at the end of that week. The action slowed for a couple of days, as tarpon didn't show very well or eat very well for us. I fished a different area on Saturday and they finished strong, catching and releasing one on a live crab.
Despite a big swell and dirty water, fly anglers had a few shots on Monday 6/19, but conditions deteriorated quickly and we were forced off the water early due to a severe thunderstorm. The next 3 days were unfishable for tarpon in the coastal gulf as Tropical Storm Cindy passed by, roughing up the water.
Clark Keator, from Orlando and his son-in-law, Nick DePinto from Dallas, fished the coastal gulf with me on Friday, 6/23. Conditions still weren't great, but it was fishable and fortunately the tarpon were there. Sometimes several days of rough water will push tarpon out of their normal patterns, but that wasn't the case. They jumped 2 tarpon and Nick caught and released his first tarpon on a live crab!
Tarpon fishing should improve next week as sea conditions return to normal. Snook season is closed on the west coast of Florida until Sep 1st, so please handle them gently and release them quickly. Fishing lighted docks and bridges in the ICW for snook with flies and DOA Lures continues to be a good option. This is also a good time frame to sight fish for snook in the surf.
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
