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Sarasota and Venice
Capt. Rick Grassett
December 18, 2004
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Sarasota, FL Fishing Report for 12/12 through 12/18/2004
A strong front pushed through our area on Monday evening forcing the postponement of Tuesday’s flats and night snook trips. Strong winds and lows in the low 40’s dropped water temperatures from 70 degrees to the high 50’s, so fishing shut down for a couple of days. By the end of the week, temperatures moderated to a normal range of lows in the 50’s and a high around 70 degrees.
I got out for the only trip of the week on Friday in Sarasota Bay with Erich Zeh, from Sarasota, FL. With the water temperature at 57 degrees, we found the action slow to start. We caught and released a couple of ladyfish and trout on deep grass flats near the passes and a flounder in Big Pass, all on Cotee Jigs with grubs.
With a -.2 tide at noon, we headed for the east side of the bay where we found reds along the drop-off of a sandbar. Erich landed 3 reds and a trout on a CAL jig with a shad tail. The sun that was forecast never materialized, so the water temperature struggled to make 59 degrees.
Another front is forecast for our area late Sunday, so fishing will continue to be challenging for a couple of days beyond that. We have quickly moved into a winter fishing pattern, however if you are able to choose when to fish you can still be successful. Immediately following a front fishing may be better in the afternoon as the sun warms the shallow flats. Negative low tides will concentrate reds and trout in potholes, which are still in their comfort zone in 60-degree water. It is the drastic changes in water temperature that cause fish to become inactive until they acclimate to the lower temperature. Next week’s tides will improve toward the end of the week as we head toward a full moon next weekend.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
www.flyfishingflorida.net
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