Good Tarpon Fishing Action in Sarasota
Capt. Rick Grassett
July 20, 2014
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fly anglers fishing the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, continued to have action with tarpon, getting numerous shots, jumping 8 and catching and releasing 1. Spin fishing anglers caught and released trout and blues in Sarasota Bay on DOA Lures during the past couple of weeks.
Early in the week of 7/6 we saw fewer tarpon than anticipated, which were mostly singles, doubles and small schools of only a few fish. Even though they may be fewer, they are usually curious and aggressive. As we reached the full moon on Saturday large schools of tarpon became more plentiful in the mix.
Jerry Poslusny and Jay Peck, from Rochester, NY, fly fished for tarpon several days with me that week. Visibility was poor due to lots of cloud cover as numerous thunderstorms percolated up each day and we took cover from storms a couple of times. Despite tough conditions, they had shots at tarpon each day and jumped a couple, including a large female that somersaulted 10-12' in the air as we watched in awe (with no camera in hand)!
Visibility was better on Friday 7/11, but we saw only a few tarpon early in the day. However, as the full moon, outgoing tide in the afternoon got stronger, tarpon began to flow. We had numerous shots, jumped 3 and caught and released 1, an estimated 100-pound fish. When conditions are right, tarpon can be very aggressive this time of year!
Dean Hannemann, from Sarasota, FL, fished with me on Monday, 7/14. He had numerous shots at tarpon, jumped 1 and battled it through several jumps before the fish chewed through the 80-lb bite tippet. If the fish is hooked with the leader wrapped around the "clipper" portion of the jaw, they can sometimes wear through it quickly. Wind blew strong out of the west on Wednesday and Thursday and conditions were not fishable in the coastal gulf for tarpon those days.
Jerry Poslusny and Bill Nesbitt, both from Rochester, NY, tarpon fished with me on Friday and Saturday, 7/18 and 19. Following a couple of days of west wind and rough water, we were pleasantly surprised to find good conditions and lots of tarpon. They had numerous shots both days but Friday was their best day with 3 bites and a couple of hook ups. One of the last casts of the day resulted in a hook up with a large female gave us some great jumps and a smoking run. A great way to end the day!
Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL and Aaron Way, from St. Petersburg, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Sunday morning 7/20, for a change of pace. We fished deep grass flats on the west side of the bay where they caught and released a few trout and blues on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos.
Tarpon fishing should be good next week as we head towards a full moon. Inshore you should find trout, blues and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Look for reds and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars early in the day. Catch and release snook fishing should also be good in passes and around docks and bridges close to passes.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
IFFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB's Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
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