Good Tarpon and Snook Fly Fishing Action in Sarasota
Capt. Rick Grassett
July 19, 2016
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with catch and release snook, trout and tarpon with flies and DOA Lures during the past couple of weeks. We had numerous shots at tarpon in the coastal gulf most days, twelve hook ups and five tarpon caught and released. We also fished Sarasota Bay on a pre-dawn snook/flats trip one day and had good action with snook and trout on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails.
Craig Henke and Jerry Ciandella, both from Charleston, SC, fished a pre-dawn snook/flats trip in Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. 7/4. With the holiday weekend crowd on the water, it was a good way to avoid the crowd and the heat. Despite a slow tide, snook went on a binge, crushing glass minnows and eating their flies just as readily. They caught and released more than 20 snook on flies before we moved to the flats at dawn. They also did well with trout, catching and releasing numerous trout to 23"on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails.
Jerry Poslusny and Bill Nesbitt, both from Rochester, NY, fly fished for tarpon several days in the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me that week. They had good action, getting numerous shots at tarpon each day. We fished a variety of conditions from slick calm in the morning to strong afternoon sea breezes. They were up for the challenge, hooking up with 7 tarpon and bringing 2 to the boat. A great job!
Frank Zaffino, from Rochester, NY, fly fished for tarpon early in the week of 7/11 in the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me. He had good action, getting numerous shots at tarpon, jumping one and successfully fighting the fish to the boat. Conditions were tough with lots of glare and many fish swimming deep. Frank fishes hard and he persisted until he got the job done!
My brother Kirk Grassett, from Middletown, DE, fly fished for tarpon in the coastal gulf a few days with me later in the week. The last day was tough with not many shots but we had great action a couple days with numerous shots, jumping 4 tarpon, bringing 2 to the boat and several other eats. Tarpon were in a good mood on the outgoing tides in the afternoon, attacking our flies aggressively whenever we could get it in front of them. Good action!
There are more singles, doubles and small schools of tarpon now, rather than the large schools that we see in June and since many tarpon have already spawned, they are more aggressive. Tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf should be a good option next week, particularly on the strong, outgoing tides in the afternoon. Snook season is closed now on the west coast of Florida, but catch and release night snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges in the ICW with flies and DOA Lures should be good. There should also be good action with trout, bluefish and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
IFFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide at CB's Saltwater Outfitters
Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011
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