6/23/2012
by Capt. Rick Grassett
Anglers fishing the coastal Gulf of Mexico off Sarasota with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released a tarpon on a live crab early in the week. Conditions deteriorated later in the week as a tropical disturbance formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico and pumped clouds and moisture over us. Although the wind direction was from the east, a 4’ swell out of the S-SW made fishing in the gulf tough, especially in shallow water. A new moon on Monday and rough conditions in the coastal gulf may have pushed many tarpon offshore.
Hal Lutz, from Parrish, FL, and his mom, Andrea Lutz from Atlanta, GA, tarpon fished with me on Tuesday and Thursday. We saw several schools of tarpon moving in both directions on Tuesday morning and Andrea hooked up on a live crab out of a happy school that popped up right next to the boat. She and Hal double teamed the fish and had it alongside the boat in about 30 minutes. The tarpon was DNA sampled, measured at a 34 ½” girth X 67” length and released. A perfect size tarpon! Hal also had a few shots at tarpon with a fly later in the morning. Conditions were poor for tarpon fishing on Thursday and Friday, a big swell, clouds and drizzling rain.
However, tarpon should become plentiful again as weather conditions improve and we head towards the quarter phase of the moon next week. Look for tarpon several hundred yards off our beaches and set up in their travel “lane” to intercept them. You may be able to see them below the surface later in the day when sunlight and visibility are best.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB’s Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Hal Lutz, from Parish, FL, battles a tarpon caught and released in the coastal gulf off Sarasota while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Andrea Lutz, from Atlanta, GA, with an estimated 110-pound tarpon that she hooked on a live crab and then double teamed with her son, Hal, while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota.
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