Good Action on Sarasota Bay & Charlotte Harbor Flats
Capt. Rick Grassett
February 14, 2016
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, bluefish and ladyfish on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay and trout in Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande on CAL jigs with shad tails and flies during the past week.
Keith McClintock, from IL and Jack Walker, from WI, fished Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande with me on Monday, 2/1. We found the water, which is normally very clear there this time of year, to be very darkly stained due to all the rain we've had lately. They had some action with trout to 18", including several slot-size fish, on CAL jigs with shad tails.
Alan Sugar, from MI, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday, 2/2 and Jeff Syring, from MN, fished the same areas with me on Wednesday, 2/3. We fished deep grass flats and they had some action catching and releasing ladyfish and a few blues and trout on CAL jigs with shad tails and Ultra Hair Clouser flies. Flats close to passes were most productive due to slightly warmer, more stable water temperatures.
Our winter weather pattern continued during the week of 2/8 with wind and rain early in the week, followed by a blast of cold air and a window of good fishing; with sunshine, light winds and bluebird skies, at the end of the week.
Fly and spin fishing anglers fishing deep grass flats on both sides of Sarasota Bay on several trips with me caught and released blues, trout and ladyfish on Ultra Hair Clouser flies and CAL jigs with shad tails. High winds early in the week churned the coastal gulf into muddy water and incoming tides brought the silted water into Sarasota Bay, covering flats close to passes. Unlike previous weeks when these flats were the most productive due to slightly warmer, more stable water temperatures, the best action was in clearer water farther away from passes.
Trout, bluefish and more should be a good option on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Look for reds and big trout mixed with mullet schools or cruising shallow flats and edges of bars in Sarasota Bay and backcountry areas of Charlotte Harbor and lower Tampa Bay. Catch and release snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges with flies and DOA Lures should also be a good option as long as water temperatures don't dip too low. Even though snook may still bite, they may become stressed when water temperatures drop into the 50's and may not catch and release well.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
IFFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide at CB's Saltwater Outfitters
Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011
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