Good Action on Sarasota Bay Flats and ICW near Venice at Night
Capt. Rick Grassett
March 26, 2018
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action catching and releasing trout and blues in Sarasota Bay, snook at night in the ICW and trout and redfish in Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms during the past couple of weeks. The best action was catching and releasing snook on flies in the ICW at night.
Monday, 3/12's trip was cancelled due to wind and cool temperatures as a front moved through that day. Anna Maria Island winter resident Tony Merlis and his daughter, Jen Merlis, from MN, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday, 3/13 and had some action catching releasing trout on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails.
Martin Marlowe, from NY, and his son Bruce Marlowe, from SC, fished the ICW me on Wednesday night, 3/14. It was Martin's last trip with me before heading back north for the year and they finished strong. Despite cool water and a cold north wind, they had good action catching releasing numerous snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly.
Lynn Skipper, from Apollo Beach, FL, fished the backcountry of Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande with me on Thursday, 3/15 and Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL and Stephen Liska, from Naples, fished the same area on Friday, 3/16. With water temperatures in shallow water in the low 60's to start, fishing was challenging. We caught and released a few trout and a red on CAL jigs with shad tails.
The fishing world lost a gem when fly fishing legend, Lefty Kreh, passed away on Mar 14th. He was an author, photographer, outdoor writer and fly casting guru. A world class fly angler and casting instructor, he traveled the world pursuing fly fishing and sharing his knowledge. As rich as he was with knowledge, a conversation with him was like chatting with a family member or neighbor. I was fortunate to have had him as a guest on my boat twice. His wit and down home personality endeared him to many. He will be missed!
Water temperature warmed back to the high 60's and flats action improved during the week of 3/19. My brother Joey Grassett and Christine Johnson, both from Seaford, DE, visited for a few days and had some action catching and releasing trout to 20" and blues to about 3-pounds on CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms while fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay with me.
Fishing shallow water for big trout, snook and reds should be a good option. There should also be good action with trout, blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Fishing dock lights in the ICW at night is always a good option for snook and more. Our natural resources are under constant pressure, please limit your kill, don't kill your limit!
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFI Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide at CB's Saltwater Outfitters
Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011
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