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Sarasota and Venice
Capt. Rick Grassett
February 12, 2006
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Southwest Florida Fishing Report for 1/29 through 2/12/2006
Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action during the past couple of weeks with trout in Gasparilla Sound and snook at night. In addition to trout, several reds and snook were caught and released in the backcountry of Charlotte Harbor.
Fly angler, Cody Meine from Dillon, MT, fished a couple of days with me early in the week of Jan. 29th. Cody is the proprietor of Crane Meadow Lodge in Twin Bridges, MT, where I travel each summer or fall with a group of fly anglers. We fished the flats of Blackburn Bay one afternoon, where we caught and released numerous large ladyfish on Ultra Hair Clouser flies. At dusk, we switched gears and fished lighted docks with small white flies where we caught and released 15 or 20 snook to 23” and a couple of blues.
The next morning we headed south to Gasparilla Sound to hunt reds. We spotted a pair of cobia swimming on top of an oyster bar near Catfish Creek. Cody’s cast was right on the money as he connected with one of them with a Clouser fly. We caught and released more than 15 trout on Clouser flies near Sandfly Key and in Bull Bay. He had several good shots at reds cruising a sand bar, but they wanted no part of us. Anyone who’s ever targeted reds with a fly rod knows that they are one of the most challenging fish to target in Florida’s clear water, especially during the winter. Another trip to Charlotte Harbor later in the week was slow. Fly anglers caught only a few trout on flies due to tough conditions.
A front blew through on Friday and wiped out the next couple of days of fishing. I was back down in Charlotte Harbor this past week where fishing for trout and reds has been the most consistent. Mike Sprague and Kep Phillips, both from NJ, fished Bull and Turtle Bays with me on Monday. We caught and released about 15 trout and a couple of reds on CAL jigs with shad tails. The next day, Joe Scottie from Sarasota, and Bill Crowley, from Casey Key, fished the same area with me. They caught more than 20 trout, including 5 trout from 16” to 20”, and a snook using the same baits.
Sarasota winter residents, Harry Beaty and Tom Schalk, fished with me on Wednesday. They caught more than 20 trout to 20” and a couple of reds in Bull and Turtle Bays on CAL jigs with shad tails. The colors that have been working best are Night Glow and Arkansas Glow Shiner, fished on a 1/16 oz. CAL jig head.
On Thursday, I participated in Snook Symposium V, held at the headquarters of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission in St. Petersburg. Ron Taylor and his talented staff of scientists and biologists hosted the 2-day event that covered the current stock assessment and mapped out where to go with snook in the future. Biologists, recreational anglers, professional guides and many members of the media attended and gave their input. We are fortunate to have such a group in our state.
Friday’s fly trip in Gasparilla Sound came up empty. Although I had hoped reds would tail on the negative low tide on Friday morning, they didn’t do it. We had several good shots at reds cruising a sand bar in the afternoon, but they ignored us.
Another front blew through on Saturday afternoon, bringing some of the coolest air of the season with it. Fishing will be challenging early in the week due to cold water and wind. It should improve toward the end of the week as the water warms back up and we move further away from today’s full moon.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
www.flyfishingflorida.net
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