Trout Action Good in Sarasota
Capt. Rick Grassett
February 7, 2010
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released mostly trout and ladyfish during the past couple of weeks. Action wasn't too fast but was steady. However, there were a couple of great trips. In addition, we also caught a few ladyfish, a snook, flounder and redfish. The water has warmed to the low 60's and fishing has been improving as a result.
Gary and Robbyn Hehe, from IN, fished Little Sarasota Bay with me on Monday, Jan. 25th. They caught and released several ladyfish and trout on CAL jigs with shad tails. My sister, Michelle Mumford and her boyfriend, Bill Walterhoefer, both from DE, fished the same area with me on Wednesday with similar results. Michelle and Bill also fished with me on Friday and caught and released about 20 trout to 18" in Zwick's Channel and a red and a snook in Roberts Bay all on CAL jigs with shad tails.
Fly angler Josh Fine, from CT, fished a couple of days with me in Sarasota and Terra Ceia Bays. He caught and released trout and ladyfish on Clouser and a bend back style rattle fly. We found some reds cruising a shallow grass flat but couldn't get them to eat our flies.
The action heated up last week as we headed away from the full moon. Harry Beaty and Paul Rotz, both from Ontario, Canada, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday, Feb. 1st. They caught more than 20 trout, including 8 slot-size trout on CAL jigs with shad tails. We also released a 23" trout that weighed over 3-pounds. We fished the east side of the bay from Stephens Point to Long Bar. We found the biggest trout in skinny water.
Keith McClintock and Larry Stillman, both from IL, fished the same area with me the next day. The trout were smaller than the previous day but we had one slot size trout and a nice flounder on CAL jigs with shad tails. Fly anglers Ron Cordes, from ID, and Dusty Sprague, from North Port, FL fished Blackburn and Little Sarasota Bays with me on Wednesday afternoon. They caught and released a few trout and ladyfish on Clouser flies fished on an intermediate fly line. It was a pleasure to have a couple of great fly casters like Ron and Dusty on board.
Fly angler Jerry Poslusny, from Rochester, NY, fished the Terra Ceia Bay area with me on Thursday. Jerry is the new owner of my previous Action Craft, so we were on a fishing trip and a shakedown "cruise". We caught a dozen or more trout to 17" on a Clouser fly and had a few shots at reds in Terra Ceia.
Jim Cox, from IL, and his sons, Mike and Jason, fished Little Sarasota Bay with me on Saturday morning. A front passed through on Friday evening and the forecast was for high winds on Saturday, but that didn't materialize until late in the trip. They caught and released about 20 trout to 19", including 7 or 8 nice slot size trout on CAL jigs with shad tails. We also worked some docks in Blackburn Bay and hooked a big red that couldn't be turned
Sadly, I learned that my friend, Capt. Mel Berman, passed away at the age of 81 on Friday due to complications from heart surgery. He had a radio program on Saturday mornings in the Tampa Bay area for 25 years. He was friend to conservation and an advocate of fishing with artificial baits. I was fortunate to have been a guest on his radio program numerous times over the years. Mel and I fished many days on Sarasota Bay over the years and always ended it with a "shore lunch" at The Old Salty Dog Restaurant on New Pass. He always had a joke or a story to share. He was also an animal lover, so we always enjoyed catching up on our "furry kids". There will be a big void on Saturday mornings now. He will be missed.
Tides will improve towards the end of next week as we head towards a new moon on Feb. 14th. Unless the water gets colder, fishing should improve. Reds may tail on shallow grass flats of Gasparilla Sound on negative low tides at the end of next week.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
www.flyfishingflorida.net
Sarasota Fishing Forecast:
Capt. Rick Grassett's Fishing Forecast for February 2010
This is one of the toughest months of the year to fish due to frequent fronts and cold water. However, if you fish smart you can be successful. Snook will be found in rivers, creeks, canals and around docks in the ICW during February. Reds and trout might also be found in potholes or in creeks and canals, particularly where there is dark bottom that will absorb heat. Docks are another winter time area to find a variety of fish, including reds, sheepshead, flounder and more. You should also find trout, bluefish, ladyfish and possibly pompano on deep grass flats depending on conditions.
Due to the recent freeze and resulting snook mortality, snook season will not reopen until Sept. 1st (details can be found at www.myfwc.com) so handle them gently and release them quickly. It is important to use tackle that is heavy enough to land them quickly, so they won't be overly stressed. You might find snook in creeks and canals this month where they will congregate to find warmer water. Outside bends of creeks and canals will have deeper and possibly warmer water. Afternoon and early evening may be the best time of day to fish due to warmer water. There are several small creeks in Sarasota Bay and Little Sarasota Bay that may hold snook in the winter; Bowlees Creek, Whitaker Bayou, Hudson Bayou, Phillippi Creek, North Creek and South Creek.
Night snook fishing can be very good in February depending on conditions. When water temperatures dip below 60 degrees, I don't recommend targeting them. However, I have seen snook gorging themselves on glass minnows around ICW docks at night with the water temperature in the low 60's. They'll eat small white flies, jigs and plastic baits in these areas. The ICW from Sarasota to Venice is one of my favorite night snook areas.
Reds may be found around docks and in creeks and canals. They may venture onto warm, sunny flats in the afternoon to feed. When the tide is low, you should find them in potholes and along drop offs of sand bars. You may find them tailing on shallow grass flats in Gasparilla Sound and lower Tampa Bay when the tide is low. Work jigs, flies and plastic baits slowly along the bottom for the best action. You'll need a weedless lure or fly, when targeting tailing reds due to the thick grass they'll be found in. I like to target sand bar edges and potholes since these areas may provide some sight fishing opportunities. Shad tails on jig heads or rigged weedless are one of my favorite lures for reds. Fly anglers should score with shrimp or crab fly patterns, like my Grassett's Flats Minnow.
Trout will be found on deep grass flats along with jacks, ladyfish, bluefish, pompano and flounder. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with jigs or flies to locate fish. Once you find fish you can shorten your drift and zero in on them. You might also find trout in deep areas, such as creeks, canals or turning basins, especially when it is cold. Work baits slowly near the bottom for the best action. Sarasota Bay has some of the most productive deep grass flats that you'll find anywhere. I look for good tidal flow, a good mix of grass and sand and other activity such as birds and baitfish.
You might find some activity in the coastal gulf this month, but it will depend on conditions. Look for "breaking" fish, little tunny, blues, jacks or ladyfish and cast jigs and flies to them. In the absence of surface activity, look for tripletail around crab trap floats and buoys. You'll find them on the surface best when we are in a southeast wind pattern. Make your first presentation count. They are much tougher to catch once they know you are there.
Although fishing can be challenging this month, you'll increase your chances for success if you fish smart. Fish may be more active on sunny afternoons following fronts. You'll be more successful if you target species that are more tolerant of cold weather, such as sheepshead, flounder, blues and redfish. Try to find warmer water to locate baitfish and predators. If you think you are fishing too slowly, slow it down even more. Cold water slows the metabolism of fish. They don't require as much food nor do they exert a lot of energy to feed. Whatever you choose to do, remember to always limit your kill; don't kill your limit!
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
www.flyfishingflorida.net
Target Species:
trout, redfish, snook, bluefish, pompano, flounder
More Fishing Reports:
