Tarpon On A Fly Still An Option in Sarasota
Capt. Rick Grassett
July 21, 2012
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Conditions were good for tarpon fishing during the week of 7/9 and they got aggressive as we got further away from a full moon the previous week. Anglers fishing the coastal Gulf of Mexico off Sarasota with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had numerous shots at tarpon with a fly, jumped 4 and landed 3 fish to 120-pounds. Large schools of tarpon thinned out as post spawn singles, doubles and small schools, which are usually more aggressive, became more plentiful.
Fly anglers Jerry Poslusny and Jay Peck, both from the Rochester, NY area, fished Monday through Wednesday, 7/9, 10 & 11) with me. We saw lots of tarpon each day and had numerous shots at them. Jerry was the first to hook up to an estimated 90-pounder on Tuesday, 7/10. With poor light conditions that day, the fish swam right to the bow of the boat before we were able to spot the fish. A roll cast and one strip of the fly resulted in a bite and the fish streaked away from the boat on a smoking run! Jerry had the fish close to the boat after about a 40-minute battle before the hook pulled loose. They also had a couple of other bites that day but didn't come tight.
Jay was next to do battle on Wednesday, 7/11. He cast all the line he had stripped out to a single fish that was swimming by and hooked up to another hot fish! The fish gave us numerous jumps over a 30-minute battle before I was able to grab the fish. The tarpon, which weighed an estimated 110-pounds, was measured, DNA sampled and successfully released. They also had lots of other shots at tarpon on Wednesday. A great way to end their trip!
The action continued on Thursday, 7/12. Although there were fewer tarpon, they got even more aggressive. We had a reaction from most fish that we cast to, often a "lean" or a follow, and had 3 bites. We missed 1 but caught and released the other 2, including an estimated 120-pound fish.
I was at the DOA Lures booth at the American Sportfishing Association's ICAST International Fishing Show on Friday, 7/13. Manufacturers, dealers, distributors, retailers and media from around the world attended the 3-day event. DOA is now offering their most popular CAL shad and jerk worm colors in a 50 piece pack and their 3" DOA shrimp in an economically priced 9-pack. The shrimp are not rigged, but come with all the parts and directions to rig them in a few seconds. A new DOA surface walking top water bait and a larger jerk worm will also be available soon. I had the pleasure of running into fly fishing legend, Lefty Kreh, at the TFO booth and had a chance to visit with him for a few minutes. Priceless!
Conditions were good for tarpon fishing late in the week of 7/16. However, due to a westerly wind flow conditions were poor for a couple of days early in the week. By the end of the week, conditions improved and tarpon began returning to their normal patterns. Although their numbers thinned out, they were becoming more plentiful as conditions improved. Anglers fishing the coastal Gulf of Mexico off Sarasota with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some shots at tarpon with a fly late in the week.
Monday's tarpon trip, 7/16, was cut short by thunderstorms and visibility was poor due to heavy clouds. Tuesday's trip, 7/17, was cancelled due to thunderstorms and rough water in the coastal gulf. However, conditions were pretty good by Thursday, 7/19 when Randy Ruskey, from Peoria, IL, tarpon fished with me. We saw a few fish and had several shots at them with a fly that day. Conditions were better yet on Friday, 7/20 and the number of fish and shots at them doubled.
There are many variables when it comes to catching a tarpon on a fly. Tarpon have spawned by this time of the season and usually feed more aggressively. The fish most likely to eat are usually high in the water column and moving slowly. Fish that are deep or moving fast are tougher, although they will eat if you can get a fly or lure in front of them in time. Usually the key to success is having multiple shots at fish until it all comes together. Challenging and rewarding!
Tarpon should be aggressive next week as we head away from a new moon. Dark flies have been working best. Spin anglers may score with a ½-ounce DOA shrimp or Baitbuster. The best action should be when the tide is strongest and visibility is best. Also, look for tarpon rolling on deep grass flats or feeding in bait schools in Sarasota Bay in many areas that you normally find trout. Trout and blues on deep grass flats and reds in skinny water of Sarasota Bay are also good options early in the day.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB's Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
www.flyfishingflorida.net
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