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Sarasota and Venice
Capt. Rick Grassett
May 16, 2004
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Sarasota, FL Fishing Report for 5/9 through 5/16/2004
Anglers on the Snook Fin-Addict had good action in Sarasota Bay with trout, bluefish, redfish and snook during the past week. The best action was with trout on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. A persistent southeast wind has made tarpon hunting in the coastal gulf waters tough. Although they are beginning to show, we are still waiting for the action to take off.
Mac McGee and Sandy Douglass, from Gloucester, MA, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday morning. They caught more than 20 trout to 20”, ladyfish and several bluefish to 2-pounds on DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails. The best action was at Stephens Point and Bishops Point. That afternoon, Frank Spinola from Longboat Key, FL, joined me for an instructional fly fishing trip in Sarasota Bay. Frank had some experience in freshwater, but wanted to hone his saltwater skills so he could take advantage of the variety of fishing in our own backyard.
Capt. Jim Klopfer and I scouted the coastal gulf waters on Wednesday due to a last minute cancellation. We found the water temperature had increased slightly to about 76 degrees and baitfish were plentiful. A false albacore blitz kept things interesting as they busted baits all along the beach. Capt. Jim caught and released an 11-pounder on an Enrico Puglisi Bay Anchovy fly.
Chris Likens and Ramey Martin, both from Sarasota, FL, joined me for a tarpon trip on Thursday. Although we had high hopes due to improving conditions, it wasn’t meant to be. The baitfish and false albacore that had been there the day before were gone and the wind cranked up to more than 15-mph ending our day early.
Michael Carducci, from Putnam Valley, NY, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. Mike had tried his hand at tarpon fishing last season and wanted to experience the flats. He had a great day catching a double slam that included eight or ten trout to 20”, a pair of snook and a pair of reds to 8-pounds. Most of the action was in the extreme north part of Sarasota Bay near Longboat Pass. The trout were caught and released on DOA Deadly Combos and the other fish were caught and released on CAL jigs with shad tails.
Saturdays tarpon trip came up empty. Although we located a fast moving school and got a couple of shots at them, they didn’t eat. As we head toward the new moon next week, I expect significant tarpon action as they school up to spawn.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
www.flyfishingflorida.net
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