Sarasota fishing report Capt Jim klopfer 1/17/2015
Capt. Jim Klopfer
January 17, 2015
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
I got in four charters this week, which isn't too bad for mid-winter. Fishing was productive early in the week for Spanish mackerel, jacks, bluefish, ladyfish, trout and more on the deep flats and channels in Sarasota Bay and down south in Nokomis. Free lined shrimp and Bass Assassin jigs produced well, as did trolled Rapala X-Raps. Structure in the passes is holding grouper, snapper, and sheepshead. A trip at the end of the week produced very little in the same spots. Myakka River charters continue to produce trophy snook for patient anglers casting Rapala baits.
On Monday Jim Klein who lives in Ashville, NC received a fishing charter as a gift from his wife Barbara for his 75th birthday. We departed from Turtle Beach and worked our way south. Fishing was slow at first, then we got into a decent bite near Marker #19. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jack crevelle, and ladyfish hit free lined live shrimp and Bass Assassin jigs.
Ed Van Artscalen and his buddy Mark had a productive trip on Tuesday. We started off casting glow/chartreuse Bass Assassin jigs at the middlegrounds, catching ladyfish, trout, jacks, and a pair of nice Spanish mackerel. The tide slowed, so I moved the Big Pass to see if there were any bottom fish holding the the structure. Slack tides are the best time to hit these types of spots. Mangrove snapper, gag grouper, and sheepshead kept the boys busy until it was time to go home.
On Wednesday I was in the Myakka River with Cathy and Paul Donohoe, a very nice couple who are Outfitters and ranchers in Montana. We went in the afternoon as the tide was very low in the morning. It was a good "fishing" day, overcast and a tad cool. Paul started things off by having a HUGE snook blow up on his plug two feet from the boat, funny how they do that. It was close enough to splash us! But, it never really ate it and after our hearts slowed, we moved on. Paul caught a bass and Kathy landed a big gar. Action slowed for a bit then picked up later as Paul hooked and lost a couple of snook before landing a nice 30" fish. All of the action was on Rapala plugs.
I finished up my week with Don Bush and his buddy John. Unfortunately, the fishing was VERY slow. We worked hard, hitting all the reliable spots, but I just could not get anything going and we only caught a handful of fish. I don't know if it was the drop in water temperature, or just "one of those days", but if you fish enough, it happens to everyone. We'll get them next time!
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