Steady action in Sarasota, trout, snook, snapper top the list
Capt. Jim Klopfer
July 30, 2016
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
The deep grass flats throughout the area continued to provide good action on a variety of species, with speckled trout being the most numerous; the largest one went 23". Clients on fishing charters also saw an increase in mangrove snapper this week. Jack crevelle, gag grouper, sharks, and ladyfish were also landed. Chumming with live bait proved to be the most reliable technique. Anglers also landed a few snook and jacks in Big Pass.
I started my week off on Monday with Paul Tippet and his son in law Eric Heponis from Pittsburg, PA. We caught bait then fished three spots all morning, have success at all. The Middlegrounds, Radio Tower, and Bird Key flats produced a bunch of nice trout to 20", Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, gag grouper, jacks, and ladyfish. Paul finished up the trip with a nice 23" trout.
Keith Williams from the UK brought along his sons Thomas (16) and Toby (6) on a fishing trip Tuesday morning. The bite was steady at the Radio Tower and Middlegrounds, with speckled trout to 20", jacks, snapper, grouper, ladyfish and sharks being landed.
Lowell Stein was joined by his two teenage grandsons Alex and Jacob on Wednesday. The boys had a little fun competition going, which Alex won with 39 fish; the boys landed around 80 in total. Speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, sharks, jacks, grouper, and ladyfish hit at the Bird Key flats.
Frank Moran from Pittsburg, PA and his son and nephew had a good charter on Thursday. Speckled trout were once again the most numerous and several going to 20: along with some decent mangrove snapper also being landed.
I finished up the week with Bret Burford from Ft. Worth, TX and his two sons Gage (10) and Cole (17). We began the trip casting jigs at first light but had a lot of trouble with small fish biting off the tails. After going through two bags in 15 minutes, I went and caught bait. Action was fast with a bunch of jack crevelle showing up first, then a steady trout and snapper bite. The tide quit and I ran to Big Pass where the boys caught several snook, nice jacks, and a Spanish mackerel. The last spot was Marker #5 where ladyfish, trout, and snapper provided a little flurry to wind up the trip.
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