Good Action on Tampa Bay Flats
Capt. Rick Grassett
February 24, 2019
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing snook and trout on CAL jigs with shad tails and flies in the Terra Ceia area and snook on flies in the ICW at night recently. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's now, baitfish are becoming more plentiful and action is improving on shallow and deep grass flats.
Jerry Poslusny, from NY, fished the ICW at night for snook on a trip with me recently. Despite a good tide, snook were picky that night but he had some action catching and releasing several nice snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly.
Bill Morrison, from Anna Maria Island and his grandson, Chris, from Boston, fished a couple of days recently with me in the Terra Ceia area and had some action catching and releasing trout and ladyfish on Clouser flies and CAL jigs with shad tails. Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL, also fished a day with me in that area. He had good action catching and releasing about a dozen snook, a red, several trout and a pompano. Great day!
I was the instructor for a CB's Saltwater Outfitters Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing School on Saturday. 2/23. Students received instruction in fly casting, leader construction, fly selection and saltwater fly fishing techniques. Future schools will be held on Mar. 16 and Apr 13, 2019. Cost for the 6-hr class is $195 per person and includes the use of premium Orvis fly tackle, workbook and lunch.
Look for migratory species, such as Spanish mackerel, in bays, passes and the coastal gulf as we head into spring. Fishing shallow flats is both challenging and rewarding. It usually requires fishing hard to find and catch fish. You may not catch big numbers of fish but you may catch some good ones. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by 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
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