Sarasota fishing report Capt Jim klopfer 6/13/2015
Capt. Jim Klopfer
June 13, 2015
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
I am settling into my summer "white bait" pattern; catching a well full of bait, then anchoring over deep grass and chumming fish to the boat. This is hard work for me, but easy fishing for clients. Speckled trout to 19", cobia, Spanish mackerel, gag grouper, jack crevelle, ladyfish, black sea bass, lane, yellowtail, and mangrove snapper, ladyfish, sailcats and more were caught by clients this week. The deeper flats near Bird Key and Marina Jacks produced the best. The tarpon bite slowed a bit coming off the moon with some windy weather, but should resume with good action next week.
My week started off with a tarpon charter with Scott Valentino and his son Vinnie (16) from the Pittsburg, PA area. We found a pretty school around 7:00 a.m. and Scott got a bite. It made two spectacular leaps, then headed for the beach, almost dumping the spool. It was a VERY big fish! It ran between two crab pots and the sharp barnacles severed the line. Disappointment quickly turned to admiration; what a fish! It was pretty quiet after that, only a couple of opportunities and no hook-ups.
On Tuesday I took out Gayle Reis's son Matt and his friend Brett on a charter. Action as steady on the deep flats near Bird key on Spanish mackerel,, speckled trout, mangrove and lane snapper, jack crevelle, ladyfish, and more. All of the fish hit live pilchards and pinfish.
Action was good on Wednesday for Ed Okerson from Dallas, TX and a couple of friends who were visiting from Sweden. I caught bait and chumming the flats produced Spanish mackerel to 3 pounds, speckled trout, gag grouper, black sea bass, mangrove snapper, jacks, and Ed ended the day with an 8 pound cobia that shook loose right at the boat after a great fight on light tackle.
Amy Miller and her 12 year old son Aiden had a great trip on Thursday. Once again, bait was easy and the fish came to the chum. Amy started off hot, catching Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, and other species. A short move and it turned out to be Aiden's turn, as he caught some nice gag grouper and mangrove snapper. In all, they caught mackerel to 3 pounds, trout to 19", gag grouper, jack crevelle, lane and mangrove snapper, sea bass, and catfish on the deep grass near Big Pass.
Scott and Vinnie Valentino went out again on Friday, this time bringing along the girls, mom Dawn and daughter Alyssa. As was the case all week, chumming with live pilchards resulted in steady acvtion on a variety of species. Gag grouper, speckled trout, yellowtail, lane, and mangrove snapper, sea bass, and ladyfish kept the rods bent and the gang smiling!
I finished up my week with Myleine Blais and Stephane Granger from Quebec. The bit was not as hot as it had been, for whatever reason, but they did fine, catching a pair of 17" trout, several mackerel and lost a couple of screamers, sea bas, snapper, and other species. I am taking off Sun and watching the hockey game tonight, Go Lightning!!
More Fishing Reports:
