Decent action on the deep grass flats in Sarasota Bay
Capt. Jim Klopfer
April 8, 2016
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing conditions were less than ideal and the bite was tough most days this week, though fishing did improve later in the week. Strong winds and churned up water resulted in anglers working hard for their fish. Persistent and patient clients landed speckled trout to 18", pompano, bluefish, jack crevelle, mangrove snapper, ladyfish, and sailcats on the deep flats near Bird Key, Middlegrounds, in Robert's Bay, Country Club Shores, and Bishop's Pt. Reg/gold and glow/chartreuse Bass assassin Sea Shad grubs on a 1/4 ounce jig head and free lined live shrimp produced equally. Big Pass held sheepshead and snapper, although I could only fish there one day this week due to strong tides.
On Sunday I took out Ed Koper and his buddy Barry and the fishing was very slow. A front had moved through the day before and we had 20+ knot winds out of the north and high pressure. We worked hard but only caught a few fish in Robert's Bay, then called it a morning an hour early.
The bite was better on Monday for Kyle Jenkins from Michigan and his son Alex. Trout, ladyfish, bluefish, and sailcats hit Bass Assassin jigs at the Middlegrounds and Country Club Shores. Half way through the trip we switched gears and hit some docks and structure in Big Pass, catching a bunch of sheepshead and snappers.
John Duffy from Indiana, his 13 year old boys Marty and Michael, and their grandfather had a fair trip on Tuesday. We covered a lot of water, catching most of our fish along the west side of the bay from New Pass up to Bishop's Pt. Most of the fish hit jigs though we landed a few on live shrimp.
Kyle Jenkins ran another trip on Wednesday, this time with friends Dean and "L". Once again it was very windy, limiting the places that we could fish. Speckled trout to 15", ladyfish, mangrove snapper and a mackerel hit shrimp on the Bird Key flats and in Robert's Bay.
Thursday was a good "fishing" day for Jim Mitchell from Minneapolis, MN, his son Todd Bruce, girlfriend Nicholle Higley, and grand daughters Hazel (10) and Ruby (13). A front was rapidly approaching and the skies were cloudy with a bit of light drizzle. I have been taking them out for several years now and look forward to our annual trip. The gang had a little "contest" going, the prizes based on largest fish and most species. The lead changes hands often as Nikki jumped out in front, Todd landed a nice trout, but with Ruby had the largest fish (a big sailcat) then secured victory with seconds to go as the rain approached by landing her fifth species, a jack crevelle. Great fun was had by all as they landed speckled trout to 16", sugar trout, jacks, pompano, catfish, and pinfish, mostly on free lined shrimp at Country Club Shores.
Mike Porter from Siesta Key took his son-in-law Greg and grandson Dillon (10) out on a fishing charter on Friday. We started off just north of New Pass and worked up the west side up to Bishop's Pt. Dillon had the hot hand, putting it on the "old" guys. In all, around 40 fish were landed, including trout to 18", bluefish, jacks, and ladyfish. After 6 straight days, I am taking Saturday off.
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