Hot Tarpon Action in Sarasota
Capt. Rick Grassett
June 29, 2013
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had great action jumping numerous tarpon and catching and releasing a couple up to 120-pounds on DOA Baitbusters, flies, live crabs and pinfish in the coastal gulf and had good action catching and releasing snook, trout, mutton snapper and jumping tarpon on DOA Lures in the Indian River in Jensen Beach, FL at the DOA/River Palm Outdoor Writer Festival during the past couple of weeks.
Cliff Ondercin, from Sarasota, FL and his dad, Dennis Ondercin, from Middleburg Heights, OH, tarpon fished with me from 6/17 through 21. Cliff and Dennis are both accomplished anglers who really enjoy the challenge of tarpon fishing. They are also participating in the Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club Tarpon Tournament, the world's oldest tarpon tournament, in existence since at least 1930. This tournament led the way as one of the first catch and release tarpon tournaments. All fish must remain in the water, a girth measurement is taken and a DNA sample is collected before the fish is quickly released on the spot.
Our game plan is usually to spend the early part of the week trying to get a couple of tournament entries before Cliff, also a good fly angler, spends some time fly fishing for tarpon. They had great action every day. We had numerous bites and several fish were jumped on live crabs and a Lefty's Deceiver fly on Monday, 6/17. Tuesday's, 6/18, action was almost as fast, with several more tarpon jumped, including 4 fish on a DOA Baitbuster. Cliff caught and released one of the fish on the Baitbuster for a tournament entry that day. The Baitbuster is my "go to" tarpon lure for large tarpon. It was very impressive that with a variety of live baits being drifted or cast to rolling tarpon, it was the Baitbuster that produced the best that day.
The action continued on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 6/19, 20 and 21. The pendulum swung back in our favor, as the ratio of caught and released fish to jumped fish increased and Dennis landed an estimated 120-pound fish on a live pinfish for another tournament entry. The fish was measured, DNA sampled and successfully released. The last couple of days with each angler having a tournament entry, we spent some time with Cliff fly fishing for tarpon in shallow water where he had a few shots and another "eat" on a Tarpon Bunny fly. Dennis also had a few shots with a DOA Baitbuster in shallow water. In addition to doing an excellent job with the tarpon, they also manned the camera while I was handling their fish at the side of the boat and captured some explosive action. A great week of tarpon fishing!
I towed my boat over to Jensen Beach (Stuart) on Sunday, 6/23 for the annual DOA/River Palm Outdoor Writer Festival at River Palm Cottages and Fish Camp (www.riverpalmcottages.com). Located right on the Indian River with quaint cottages, a long pier with boat dockage, swimming pool, tiki hut and a boat ramp next door, it's a great place for a weekend or a week long fishing getaway.
They grow their trout and snook big over there and this trip was no different. Guides and outdoor writers were matched up to fish the area on Monday and Tuesday, 6/24 and 25. Snook to more than 30-pounds (caught by Capt. Ed Zyak), big trout and tarpon were all caught and released with DOA Lures by the group. Doug Olander, editor of Sport Fishing Magazine and Capt. William Toney, from Homosassa, FL, fished the Indian River near Ft. Pierce with me on Monday, 6/24. We caught and released snook, trout and mutton snapper on DOA shrimp and a CAL Curly Tail. We also jumped a 30-pound tarpon on a DOA TerrorEyz.
Shimano rep, Anthony Puleio from Melbourne, FL, fished the Indian River with me on Tuesday, 6/25. We worked a sand bar near Stuart Causeway and caught and released numerous trout and couple of mutton snapper on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Shrimp. Thanks to Mark Nichols and the entire crew at DOA Fishing Lures (www.doalures.com) and Rufus Wakeman of River Palm Cottages for hosting the event and to other sponsors, Lazer Trokar Hooks, Shimano, Power Pro, Tailin' Toads, Johnson Outdoors, and Costa Sunglasses.
Back in Sarasota, numbers of tarpon increased as we headed away from last Saturday's full moon. Fly anglers tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf several days, 6/26, 27 and 28, with me had numerous shots at tarpon, a couple of "eats" and jumped one on a Tarpon Bunny fly. Singles, doubles and small schools of tarpon were more aggressive than large schools, often showing interest or following our flies.
Depending on conditions, tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf should be good next week, particularly towards the end of the week as we approach a new moon. If conditions aren't good for tarpon in the gulf, there should be good action with trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Look for reds and big trout in shallow water early in the day. Catch and release night snook fishing in the ICW near passes should also be a good option.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB's Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
www.flyfishingflorida.net
Sarasota Fishing Forecast:
Capt. Rick Grassett's Sarasota, FL Fishing Forecast for July 2013
Tarpon will still be a good option this month. Shallow water action for reds and big trout will be best early and late in the day. Some of the best action will be with trout, blues, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Catch and release snook fishing in the ICW at night or in the surf should also be good options.
Tarpon fishing will be good in the coastal gulf this month. Large schools of tarpon will dwindle in size and numbers to singles, doubles and small schools of post spawn fish. I usually find tarpon to be aggressive in July, with spawning completed and after a long migration, they usually feed aggressively. I also find them to be more curious this time of the year often swinging closer to check out the sound of a landing bait, lure or fly. Spin anglers will do best by setting up in travel lanes and drifting live baits under floats while staying ready to sight cast to fish that may pop up with no notice. DOA Baitbusters, Swimming Mullet, Shrimp and the new Airhead are my "go to" lures for tarpon. It is easier to penetrate a hard tarpon mouth with a single sharp hook rather than a treble hook.
This is my favorite time to fly fish for tarpon. The tactics are the same as earlier in the season, anchoring or staking out on travel routes in shallow water, although fish are in a better mood. Unlike the large tarpon schools that we see around full and new moon phases in June, July fish are usually aggressive. Large schools of tarpon are impressive, but if you spook the lead fish you will spook all of them.
Tarpon will thin out towards the end of the month as they begin to move to inside waters of Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. They move into these areas to rest and feed following spawning. They can be targeted in these areas with flies, DOAs or live bait. Also look for tarpon feeding in schools of "breaking" ladyfish in these areas.
Catch and release snook fishing will also be a good option this month. With very warm water this time of year, it is important to use tackle heavy enough to land them quickly. Spin anglers should do well fishing lighted docks and bridges in the ICW with CAL jigs with shad tails or jerk worms or DOA shrimp. Fly anglers should do well with clear intermediate sink tip lines and wide profile flies, such as Lefty's Deceiver or EP flies, since larger baitfish may be more predominant. Docks and bridges close to passes should be the best ones. You'll also find snook in the surf, where you can walk along the beach and sight cast to them in shallow water. The same lures and flies that work at night usually also work in the surf, although be observant of the size baits that are present in the area you are fishing so you can "match the hatch".
You'll find reds very active in shallow water this month. With plentiful baitfish and higher tides, they'll spend more time feeding over shallow grass flats. Look for them along the edges of bars or in potholes when the tide is low or along mangrove shorelines and around oyster bars when the tide is high. You'll also find big trout in many of the same areas where you find reds, but the bite for big trout is usually best early or late in the day. Surface walking top water plugs or fly poppers and Gurglers may draw some big explosions! Casting CAL jigs with shad tails or jerk worms ahead of your boat is a good way to locate reds. I like the shallow flats of north Sarasota Bay for reds and big trout in July.
Trout will be plentiful on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with CAL jigs and shad tails or jerk worms, DOA Deadly Combos or Ultra Hair Clouser flies tied on long shank hooks on sink tip fly lines to find them. A drift anchor will slow your drift to a more manageable speed if it's windy. Look for birds or baitfish on the surface to find fish.
You may also find Spanish mackerel, blues, pompano and more mixed with trout on deep grass flats. Flats close to passes or on points that get good tidal flow, like the Middleground, Radio Tower and Marina Jack flats or Stephens and Bishop Points are usually productive.
In addition to tarpon, you might find false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel or cobia in the coastal gulf this month. Look for mackerel and albies feeding on the surface. You might even find a stray king mackerel in the mix around feeding frenzies. I have seen large schools of albies "blitz" the beach while tarpon fishing this time of year. They are usually feeding on larger baits, such as threadfins or pilchards, so flies and lures should be sized accordingly. You might find cobia swimming with tarpon or cruising bars in shallow water along the beach. You can us your tarpon fly or spin tackle for cobia, but a medium spinning outfit or an 8 to 9-weight fly rod will be better suited for mackerel and albies.
There are lots of options this month, late season tarpon, snook in the surf or at night or fishing skinny water for reds or big trout. Tarpon fishing is best when sweat is pouring down your back, but you'll want to fish early in the day in shallow water. Whatever you choose to do, please limit your kill, don't kill your limit!
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB's Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
www.flyfishingflorida.net
Capt. Rick Grassett's Sarasota, FL Fly Fishing Forecast for July 2013
Tarpon will still be a good option this month. Shallow water action for reds and big trout will be best early and late in the day. Some of the best action will be with trout, blues, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Catch and release night snook fishing in the ICW or in the surf should also be good options.
Tarpon fishing will be good in the coastal gulf this month. Large schools of tarpon will dwindle in size and numbers to singles, doubles and small schools of post spawn fish. I usually find tarpon to be aggressive in July, with spawning completed and after a long migration, they usually feed aggressively. I also find tarpon to be more curious this time of the year. This is my favorite time to fly fish for tarpon. The tactics are the same as earlier in the season, anchoring or staking out on travel routes in shallow water, although fish are in a better mood. Unlike the large tarpon schools that we see around full and new moon phases in June, July fish are usually aggressive. Large schools of tarpon are impressive, but if you spook the lead fish you will spook all of them. Small flies, such as Tarpon Toads, small Tarpon Bunnies and shrimp patterns seem to work well late in the season.
Tarpon will thin out towards the end of the month as they begin to move to inside waters of Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. They move into these areas to rest and feed following spawning where they can be targeted in these areas with flies. Also look for tarpon feeding in schools of "breaking" ladyfish in these areas. I have done well fishing inside areas late in the season with wide profile flies, such as Lefty's Deceiver or EP flies. When tarpon show up to feed in ladyfish schools, cast to feeding tarpon and strip the fly very slowly to present a profile to fish cruising the edges of the school and to avoid ladyfish bites.
Catch and release snook fishing will also be a good option this month. With very warm water this time of year, it is important to use tackle heavy enough to land them quickly. Fly anglers should do well with clear intermediate sink tip lines and wide profile flies, such as Lefty's Deceiver or EP flies, since larger baitfish may be more predominant. Docks and bridges close to passes should be the best ones. You'll also find snook in the surf, where you can walk along the beach and sight cast to them in shallow water. The same flies that work at night usually also work in the surf, although be observant of the size baits that are present in the area you are fishing so you can "match the hatch".
You'll find reds very active in shallow water this month. With plentiful baitfish and higher tides, they'll spend more time feeding over shallow grass flats. Look for them along the edges of bars or in potholes when the tide is low or along mangrove shorelines and around oyster bars when the tide is high. You'll also find big trout in many of the same areas where you find reds, but the bite for big trout is usually best early or late in the day. I tie my Grassett Flats Minnow in a larger size this time of year to match the size and profile of pilchards or pinfish that are plentiful. Fly poppers and Gurglers may draw some big explosions! I like the shallow flats of north Sarasota Bay for reds and big trout in July.
Trout will be plentiful on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with weighted flies on sink tip fly lines to find fish. Diving birds or baitfish "dimpling" on the surface are signs that predators may be present. A drift anchor will slow your drift to a more manageable speed if it's windy. You may also find Spanish mackerel, blues, pompano and more mixed with trout on deep grass flats. You'll need to add 6" of 60-pound fluorocarbon to your leader when toothy fish are in the mix. Flats close to passes or on points that get good tidal flow, like the Middleground, Radio Tower and Marina Jack flats or Stephens and Bishop Points are usually productive.
In addition to tarpon, you might find false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel or cobia in the coastal gulf this month. Look for mackerel and albies feeding on the surface. You might even find a stray king mackerel in the mix around feeding frenzies. I have seen large schools of albies "blitz" the beach while tarpon fishing this time of year. They are usually feeding on larger baits, such as threadfins or pilchards. You might find cobia swimming with tarpon or cruising bars in shallow water along the beach. You can us your tarpon fly tackle for cobia, but an 8 to 9-weight fly rod will be better suited for mackerel and albies.
There are lots of options this month, late season tarpon, snook in the surf or at night or fishing skinny water for reds or big trout. Tarpon fishing is best when sweat is pouring down your back, but you'll want to fish early in the day in shallow water. Whatever you choose to do, please limit your kill, don't kill your limit!
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB's Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
www.flyfishingflorida.net
Target Species:
tarpon, reds, trout, snook, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, pompano
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