Good Action in Sarasota for a Variety of Species
Capt. Rick Grassett
February 17, 2020
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with snook, reds and trout recently. Fly anglers caught and released trout, ladyfish, jacks and pompano on deep grass flats and snook in the ICW at night. Spin fishing anglers had some action with reds and snook in shallow water and good action with trout on deep grass flats on CAL jigs with shad and grub tails.
Marshall Dinerman, from Lido Key, and Stan Sunshine, from Longboat Key, had some action with trout on deep grass and a skinny water sheepshead on CAL jigs with shad tails and grubs while fishing with me recently. Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL, also had some action on a blustery day with a nice snook and a red also on CAL jigs with shad tails and grubs. Keith and Rick Weaver, from PA, fished shallow water with me another day and Rick caught and released a nice red on a CAL jig with a shad tail.
I was the instructor for a CB's Saltwater Outfitters Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing School on Saturday, Feb 8. Students received instruction in fly casting and saltwater fly fishing techniques. The next school will be held on Feb 22, with another scheduled for Mar 14, 2020. Cost for the 6-hr class is $195 per person and includes the use of premium Orvis fly tackle, workbook and lunch. Contact CB's Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 349-4400 to sign up.
Palmetto and Longboat Key winter residents, Jerry Poslusny and Rich Hunter, fished dock lights with me at night and had good action catching and releasing numerous snook on a fly and several chunky bluefish in the 4 to 5-lb class. Martin Marlowe, from NY, also got in on the action catching and releasing numerous snook on flies on another trip. Anna Maria Island winter resident, Bill Morrison and his grandson, Patrick Morrison from MA, fished deep grass flats and had good action with trout on CAL jigs with shad and grub tails and flies, including Patrick's first pompano on a fly!
Fishing shallow flats for catch and release reds should be a good option now. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, pompano, blues and Spanish mackerel. Fishing dock lights in the ICW at night is also a good option for snook and more as long as water temperatures don't get too cool. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don't kill your limit!
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFI Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide at CB's Saltwater Outfitters
Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011
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