Great variety in Sarasota with Capt Jim Klopfer
Capt. Jim Klopfer
April 14, 2012
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing was steady this week on a variety of species and using several techniques. Snook, Speckled trout, silver trout, redfish, jack crevelle, flounder, pompano, mangrove snapper, sharks, sea bass, ladyfish, bluefish, largemouth bass, bluegill, warmouth, and tilapia were landed on charters this week. The flats near the passes and docks on Siesta Key were the best spots to fish. I ran a trip out at Myaka River State Park, the water is extremely low and fishing was a little tough.
Tom Salerno and his son Kyle from Buffalo, NY caught several nice speckled trout to 20", ladyfish, jacks, and a pair of snook on live shrimp and pilchards on Sunday. On Monday morning the Kahler family from Brookfield, WI had virtually non-stop action on speckled and silver trout, jacks, ladyfish, and a pair of Spanish mackerel on live shrimp near Big Pass.
Dan Lynch from Venice, FL and his buddy Dominic had a great trip on Tuesday. Both are experienced anglers who enjoy fishing with artificial baits. we started off catching 2 reds and a 4 pound trout on Rapala X-Raps at first light near CB's. Then, Gulp! Shrimp fooled a nice pompano, speckled and silver trout, jacks, flounder, mackerel, and ladyfish on the deep flats.
I ran 2 trips on Wednesday. In the morning, the Manby family, also from Brookfield, WI caught a nice bunch of Spanish mackerel in Big Pass, destined for dinner at Clayton's that evening. Tom Grupp and his son Nick from Buffalo did very well in the afternoon, landing several 20" trout (we released them) and keeping a few macks for the grill. We finished up with 2 snapper and a half dozen 4-5 pound jacks off of Siesta Key. Shrimp and pilchards were used on both trips.
Dennis Dickenson, a retired Marine who now lives in Sarasota fished the Myakka River with me on Thursday. The water was VERY low! Couple that with a recent front, and conditions were a little tough. we started in Upper Myakka lake, caught a few bluegill, then it got a little breezy. We found a spot in the river with enough water to float and caught bass, bluegill, tilapia, and warmouth on jigs and worms.
Local Sarasota resident Doc Dojutrek fished a full day on Friday. He had to work at, but Doc got an "Inshore Slam", landing trout on Gulp! Shrimp, a 21" red on a gold spoon, and a 22" snook on a pilchard. He also caught flounder to 14", a decent bluefish, jacks, and ladyfish.
Warren Persky from Pompano Beach, FL had to fish in a pretty stiff S.E. breeze on Saturday. He did fine, catching several Spanish mackerel to 2 pounds, trout to 17", and ladyfish freelining shrimp on the deep flats. A move to a Siesta canal resulted in a pair of 14" mangrove snapper and several 3-4 pound jacks on pilchards.
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