Fly anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had numerous shots at tarpon and caught and released an estimated 100-pound tarpon on several trips in the coastal gulf during the past couple of weeks.
I was away during the week of 4/28. Sarasota winter resident, Mike Perez, tarpon fished with me when I returned on Monday and Tuesday, 5/5 and 6. Ted Gibbons, from Sarasota, FL, joined us on Monday. There was a big swell and conditions were challenging but we saw numerous singles, doubles and several schools of tarpon and got a total of 7 or 8 shots at them. We had a few follows but no bites, so we tried several different color and profile flies.
It all came together for Mike on Tuesday. With better conditions, he converted several shots at tarpon to a hook up. After numerous jumps and a 40-minute battle, he brought an estimated 100-pound tarpon to the boat. Wind and rough water made casting challenging on a couple of other trips later in the week, but there were plenty of opportunities.
Tarpon are becoming plentiful in the coastal gulf. In addition to tarpon, false albacore and tripletail may also be options there depending on conditions. Look for reds, snook and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars in Sarasota Bay. Fishing deep grass flats for trout, blues, flounder and more should continue to be a good option.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
IFFF 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.snookfin-addict.com
