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Sarasota and Venice
Capt. Rick Grassett
November 27, 2004
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Southwest FL Fishing Report for 11/15 through 11/27/2004
Anglers on the Snook Fin-Addict had steady action on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay during the past couple of weeks. Fly anglers scored with Clouser flies and spin anglers connected with jigs and DOA Deadly combos on trout, ladyfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Fly anglers also connected with reds, snook and trout on Grassett’s Flats Minnow flies in skinny water.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune outdoor writer and SNN 6 “Fishing Paradise” TV host, Steve Gibson, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Nov. 15. We were also joined by Phil Rever, from Sarasota, FL, who was the successful bidder for a spot on the TV show at last year’s Sarasota CCA banquet. Our plan was to wade the shallow flats of north Sarasota Bay and fly fish for reds and snook. On the way there we ran across breaking fish at Stevens Point in Sarasota Bay, which turned out to be Spanish mackerel, bluefish, trout and ladyfish. We caught and released several on DT Special flies and jigs.
We then headed north where we waded the east side of Sarasota Bay on a negative low tide. Although the action wasn’t fast, we finished the day with snook of 28” and 27”, a pair of small reds and about 18 trout to 2-pounds Clousers and my Flats Minnow fly.
Later in the week, fly and spin anglers fished deep grass flats in Sarasota Bay where we caught trout, ladyfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel on jigs and Ultra Hair Clouser flies. My brother, Kirk Grassett, from Bear, DE, and a friend, Capt. Scott Hopkins from West Grove, PA, joined me for a few days of fishing at the end of the week.
We were the guests of my friend, Capt. Rick DePaiva from Ft. Myers, FL, to fly fish for tailing reds near Pine Island on Thursday. They tailed good near the bottom of the tide and again as the tide rose before sunset. Four anglers caught and released 6 reds to 28” on my Flats Minnow fly. Kirk had the hot rod, landing 4 of the fish! If you are interested in fishing that area, Capt. Rick is one of the best and can be reached at 239-246-8726. Kirk, Scott and I also fished Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf waters last Saturday where we caught and released several Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish on Clouser flies.
Fly angler Jim Schwarzbach, from Sarasota, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. Jim was in search of his first saltwater fish on a fly and he was successful! He caught and released several ladyfish, trout and a bluefish on a Clouser fly at the Middleground flat before moving to the shallow flats to hunt for reds and snook. Jim did a great job covering the shallow water where he caught a couple of more trout but reds and snook remain on his list of fish to be caught with a fly!
Fly anglers, Mike Penny from Duluth, GA, and his son, Jared, snook fished with me near Venice on Tuesday evening. Jared was in search of his first saltwater fish with a fly and he was successful! They caught and released a dozen snook off of one light before a dolphin moved in to end our action. Jared caught and released the largest fish, a chunky 24” snook.
Charlie Alexander, from Osprey, FL, and his grandson, Max Helmetag from New York City, fished Little Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday morning. With the wind blowing 15 to 20-mph as a front approached, fishing was challenging. The good news is that fish went on a binge and they had non-stop action with big ladyfish on Cotee jigs with grubs. Max also caught a nice bluefish and a trout.
Fly angler, Ray Hutchinson from Chelsea, MI, and his brother-in-law, Craig, from Bradenton, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday morning. Following Thanksgiving Day’s front, the water temperature plummeted from 73 degrees to 65 degrees, which slowed fishing. They caught and released several trout and ladyfish at Stevens Point on Cotee jigs with grubs and Clouser flies. Craig also caught and released a small red on a weedless-rigged CAL shad tail on the edge of a sand bar.
Next week’s negative low tides should concentrate reds and snook in potholes. Flats fishing should turn on after fish have acclimated to the cooler water for a few days. Maybe the coastal gulf blitz of little tunny that many fly anglers have been anxiously awaiting will also get started with the drop in water temperature?
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
www.flyfishingflorida.net
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