Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with Spanish mackerel and bluefish during the past couple of weeks. In addition, we scored with snook, reds and trout in Charlotte Harbor, Sarasota and Terra Ceia Bays. The fastest action was with Spanish mackerel and bluefish in Sarasota Bay. Fishing is also improving in Sarasota for trout and reds.
Several trips in Sarasota Bay during the week of 3/12 had fast action with Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Frank Watson, from Youngstown, OH, got in on the action in New Pass on Monday. Longtime friends and customers, Norm and Francie Boardman caught them on flies and jigs the next day. Justin Suarez, from NJ, and his cousin, Jason Puckett from Sarasota, kept the streak going on Wednesday. In addition, we caught and released Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and ladyfish at the Middleground flat and trout at Stephens Point.
Jason and Justin also fished Charlotte Harbor with me on Friday where they had good action with trout to 18" and a red caught with CAL jigs and a variety of shad tails. Dennis Stehlik, from Wheaton, IL, and Ron Mosetich, from Tiverton, RI, fished the same area with me on Thursday with similar results.
I participated in the Florida Sportsman Fishing show in Sarasota last weekend as a seminar speaker and was back on the water again on Monday morning. Rick Peregord, from Southgate, MI, fished 3 days with me last week. We fished Terra Ceia Bay on Monday where Rick had a slam consisting of 3 snook, a red and several trout caught and released with CAL jigs and shad tails. We fished Sarasota Bay on Tuesday and the action was fast with Spanish mackerel and blues in New Pass and one of the artificial reefs off Lido Key. Rick probably caught more than 25 mackerel and blues before we shifted gears to fishing for reds in skinny water. He caught and released a pair of reds to 24" on CAL jigs with shad tails along the east side of Sarasota Bay.
Thursday's trip with Rick resulted in lots of bluefish, a couple of Spanish mackerel, several trout and a red. We didn't catch the red fair though. Rick spotted a float moving ahead of the boat as I poled along a sand bar and snagged it with an accurate cast. It had a feisty red attached, which we unhooked from its rig and released. I'm sure the red was glad to be rid of the hook and float that it was towing around!
Stuart Reeve and his son Teddy, from Nashville, TN, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday. Teddy is a devoted flyrodder and his Dad used spinning tackle. They caught and released ladyfish, trout, bluefish and Spanish mackerel on jigs and flies. Fly angler Kirk Norris, from Des Moines, IA fished Gasparilla Sound and the backcountry of Bull and Turtle Bays on Friday. He caught and released trout and ladyfish with Clouser flies. He had shots at numerous reds and snook, but they wanted nothing to do with us. I think the persistent high pressure that's affected us all week was the biggest factor.
I instructed several students on Saturday at a CB's Saltwater Outfitters Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing school. There is still space in the next school on April 14th. You can contact CB's Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 349-4400 to sign up. Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers had their annual banquet last night with Keys fly tier and artist Tim Borski as the speaker. He gave a great fly tying presentation, which had lots of good stuff that will work for our reds and tarpon.
Fishing should be favorable for Spanish mackerel and blues in and around the passes in Sarasota and trout, reds and snook on the flats. Tides will improve toward the end of the week. Also, look for cobia and little tunny along the beaches.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
Email snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com