Sarasota fishing report Capt Jim klopfer 2/14/2015
Capt. Jim Klopfer
February 14, 2015
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
As is normally the case, weather was the story and had a big effect on fishing this week. Anglers just have to accept the conditions and deal with what Mother Nature provides, both good and bad. Ladyfish are plentiful on the deep flats, with a few bluefish, speckled trout and other species mixed in. Structure throughout the area is holding sheepshead and snapper. Snook fishing continues to be steady in the Myakka river.
I started my week off with Mike Hortobagyi and his parents Bob and Sandy from Ontario, Canada. The tide was slack so i headed to structure in Big Pass, where sheepshead and mangrove snapper kept the rods bent. Bob also caught a pompano. The action slowed and we moved to the flats near Selby and they caught ladyfish, speckled trout, and bluefish on Bass Assassin jigs. Tuesday was a blow-out, with winds at 25 knots out of the northwest.
Mark Gillihan is an accomplished fly angler from Michigan and fished the Myakka River on Monday with his dad. Mark caught a few small snook and bass, then finished up the trip with a nice 27" snook on virtually the last cast. We was tossing a "Firetiger" Clouser Minnow pattern, that is a NICE snook on fly!
On Wednesday I fished with Ray Moreland, his father-in-law Deke, and Richard. Action was fast on snapper and sheepshead in Big Pass using shrimp. The tide picked up, making fishing difficult, so we moved to some docks and caught a flounder, then hit Phillippi Creek, where we did not do much.
I fished the Myakka River Thursday, and the bite was slow. Conditions were tough, high pressure, blue-bird skies, and a north wind. We did get one average sized snook to bite, but that was it. Still, the scenery alone makes it worth the trip. Friday was once again cold and windy.
I finished up my week with Dick Wahba from New York City and his son Charlie on Saturday. It was cool and breezy so we left at 11:00 and fished protected areas in Roberts Bay. Live shrimp fished near the bottom around oyster bars and drop-offs produced jack crevelle to 3 pounds, sheepshead and mangrove snapper. It was a typical winter charter.
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