Sarasota fishing report Capt Jim Klopfer 1/16/2016
Capt. Jim Klopfer
January 16, 2016
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Weather was definitely a factor this week, as it usually is in January. Even though it is Florida, cold fronts affect fish behavior. Still, persistent anglers had success in Sarasota Bay casting Bass Assassin 4" Sea Shad baits on 1/4 ounce jig heads on the deep grass flats and action improved later in the week as it warmed up. Free lined shrimp also produced fish on the flats and around oyster bars. Sea bass, bluefish, speckled trout, pompano, snapper, gag grouper, jack crevelle, flounder, and plenty of ladyfish were landed by clients this week. We left late morning to allow it to warm up a bit. I ran one morning trip in the Myakka, it was very cold and the fishing was slow.
Sunday and Monday were cold and breezy. On Tuesday David Fox from New York and a buddy experienced fair action. WE started off at the Middlegrounds catching a few ladyfish, but it was windy and rough, so we headed south. We picked at the ladyfish at several spots, but had a couple of dolphins hanging around, so I ran to Big Pass, where the boys caught ladyfish, trout, flounder, and grouper. We finished up fishing some structure and caught snapper, grouper, and sea bass.
On Wednesday morning John Ballard and his friend Bob fished the Myakka River. It was cold and windy, and the fish did not bite. John hooked one small snook.
Fishing was better on Thursday for Peg and Jay Lalley from Chicago, IL. We started off in Robert's Bay not doing much then hit the mother-lode of ladyfish near Bird Key, with constant double-headers using jigs and shrimp. Tiring of the ladies, we decided to try some oyster bars in search of something different. Jay caught a 17" trout and a flounder and Peg ended the trip in style with a gorgeous 2 1/2 pound pompano! Friday was rainy and windy.
I had a great charter on Saturday with Kevin Coyle from NYC, his dad Don, and father-in-law Hal. We started off at Marina Jacks and the bite was steady for two hours with multiple "double-headers", mostly large ladyfish but a good flounder as well. We finished up at the Middlegrounds with a nice bluefish bite with some ladies mixed in. Most of the fish hit New Penny Bass Assassin Sea Shad baits.
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