Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with trout and reds during the past couple of weeks. A couple of fronts moved through during that time frame forcing the cancellation of a couple of days due to winds in the mid 20 mph range. A warming trend followed as sunny afternoons warmed water into the 60's.
Tom Wright, from Sarasota, FL, and his brother, Frank Wright, from Columbus, OH, fished Little Sarasota Bay with me on Monday afternoon, 1/24. They had steady action with trout, catching and releasing more than 30 trout to 17" on CAL jigs with shad tails. We fished a trough along a spoil bar to catch most of the fish. The next couple of days were blown out as 20 to 25-mph winds whipped the water. On Thursday, 1/27, the water looked like coffee with cream in Gasparilla Sound when Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL, and his cousin, Jack McCulloch from Englewood, FL fished with me. Although the water was churned up in open areas, it was very clear in the backcountry. They caught and released more than 20 trout to 18", with about half of them in the slot, and five small reds on CAL jigs with shad tails.
Sarasota winter residents Nick Reding and Mike Perez fished north Sarasota Bay with me on Friday, 1/28. We waded all day, fishing potholes and drop offs and it was slow due to cold water. However, they did catch and release a few quality trout on my Grassett Flats Minnow and Clouser flies.
Sarasota winter resident, Harry Beaty and his guest, Paul Rotz from Canada, fished Little Sarasota Bay with me on Monday, 1/31. They caught and released trout to 17", a couple of reds to 23" and numerous large ladyfish on CAL jigs with shad tails. Fly angler Dave Kremer, from Louisville, KY, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Thursday, 2/3. We fished deep and shallow grass where he caught and released a few trout on my Grassett Flats Bunny fly. Despite a good tide and warmer water, fish weren't that aggressive that day. Longboat Key winter resident, Nick Reding, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday, 2/4 and we found similar action. We waded bars on both sides of the bay and Nick caught and released several trout, including one over the slot, on my Grassett Flats Minnow fly.
If you are interested in learning to fly fish or improving your skills, I will be the instructor for a CB's Saltwater Outfitter's Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing school on Feb. 19, 2011. Located at 1249 Stickney Point Rd., on Siesta Key in Sarasota, FL the school will cover fly casting basics, line control, shooting line and the roll cast. I will also cover leader construction, fly selection and saltwater fly fishing techniques. 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. Cost for the school, which will run from 9 AM to 3 PM, is $150 per person and includes the use of premium Orvis fly tackle, a text book and lunch. Contact me or CB's Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 349-4400 or cbsoutfitters@verizon.net to make reservations.
Next week's four tide days are favorable early in the week. Since we have had some warm, sunny days recently which has warmed bay waters into the mid 60's, there should be good action with trout, blues, ladyfish and more on deep grass flats. Look for reds and big trout in skinny water on sunny afternoons.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
