November's Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Outlook
Although November is notorious for greeting us with howling easterly winds as our first significant cold front passes, fishing in and around the inlets will remain outstanding until water temperature drop below 70 degrees. In the inlets of Ponce De Leon, Port Canaveral and Sebastian, snook fishing will remain excellent during low light periods and at night as the remaining baitfish traveling down the beach are forced in close to the jetties and other structure with the best action occurring during slack tidal periods, especially the end of high tide. During these periods hungry gamefish take advantage of slow currents and feed heavily. As the tide begins to fall, gamefish move into their ambush locations to finish off their frenzy. Breeder Redfish, jack crevalle, bluefish, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, sharks, and tarpon all share in the fury, so step up your tackle size and hold on.
My favored technique is to cast net live mullet, and drift them through the passes on a sliding sinker rig. Look for areas of feeding activity, birds diving and fish busting, and adjust the size of your weight based of current. The rig I use starts out with a Daiichi Bleeding Bait circle hook proportionate to your bait size to allow a natural swimming appearance. In simple terms, small bait small hook, large bait large hook. Next, I attach a 30-inch section of 30 to 40 pound test fluorocarbon leader to a 20-pound test braided mainline. If large tarpon are your target, step your leader size up to 60-pound test. Before I tie on my hook, I slide my slip sinker on to the leader, then attach the hook, and finish the rig off by using a split shot located between the barrel sinker and the hook adjusted to keep the weight off of the hook. As I drift through the passes, I like to cast parallel to my drift with just enough weight to keep the bait in the feeding zone, and increase the barrel sinker size as the current picks up. Additionally, as we near the end of November and finger mullet diminish, switch to pinfish on pigfish as bait. Finally and most important, pass fishing in November can be dangerous, so as I drift through the inlet, I keep the helm manned with my engine running, keeping a close eye on boat traffic and sea conditions, and always be prepared for evasive action if needed.
As the first significant cold front passes and surf temperatures reach the 68-degree mark, flounder slide into the inlets on their annual spawning migration out to sea. The exodus usually begins with the arrival of the smaller 1 to 3-poung gulf flounder (three spot), which are later joined by the doormat size 2 to 14-pound southern flounder. Many anglers prefer to anchor up and fish live finfish on the bottom, but I favor drifting the lagoon side of the passes bouncing a 1/4 ounce DOA CAL Jig 3" CAL Shad tail on the bottom. I've also learned adding the element of sound to my jig by inserting a Woodie's Rattle Capsule improves my catch. This vertical jigging technique allows me to cover more area and catch a wider assortment of species. Likewise, as lagoon temperatures cool, pompano are another likely target as they congregate on the lagoon side of the passes before moving out to their winter haunts along the beaches to feed on sand fleas (mole crabs) their favorite winter food.
Cobia and tripletail fishing can be very good this time of year depending on ocean temperatures (71 to 74 degrees is best) and winter weather conditions. To target them, head east out of Port Canaveral or Sebastian Inlet looking for rips, sargassum and flotsam pushed in by the easterly fetch. Once you have located the floating structure, work the rip with the sun to your back looking for fish suspended underneath, and catch then on spinning tackle or fly, and a live jumbo shrimp on a jig works best.
Inside the lagoons, falling water levels and cleaner conditions will facilitate increased sight fishing prospects for both redfish and sea trout. Also remember spotted sea trout are out of season in our region of the state for both November and December, so please handle and release them with extreme care.
As always, if you have any questions or need help, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
(407) 416-1187 on the water
For up to date fishing forecast by all Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando captains visit: http://coastalanglermag.com/orlando/.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Sarasota Bay Fishing Report 10-25-2011
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Sarasota Fishing Report
10/24/2011
Action in the coastal gulf shut down due to dirty and rough water following last week’s wind and rain. However Sarasota Bay action turned on after conditions settled, particularly in shallow water. Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, Spanish mackerel and redfish on lures and flies during the past week.
John Evans, from the UK, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. It was breezy and the action wasn’t fast, but he caught and released trout on Clouser flies along the east side of the bay and near Long Bar. We had windy and rainy conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday, so those trips had to be rescheduled. I attended a continuing education seminar for fly casting instructors at the annual FFF-Florida Council Conclave in Kissimmee, FL on Thursday. It was time well spent covering various topics related to teaching fly casting.
After weather conditions settled a little, Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL, and Dale Vollrath, from Sarasota, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. They had a great day catching and releasing trout and more than 10 reds on CAL jigs with shad and grub tails. They sight fished some of the reds in potholes in north Sarasota Bay at the bottom of the tide. A great day!
Fly angler Richard Gilliam, from CA, fished the same areas with me on Saturday. He was weathered out on Tuesday and this was our only chance to make the trip up. He caught and released numerous trout, several Spanish mackerel and connected with a red. He used an Ultra Hair Clouser fly on deep grass flats for the trout and mackerel and my Grassett Flats Minnow fly for the red. Orvis representative Robert Bryant, from Greensboro, NC, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Sunday. We caught a few trout and a Spanish mackerel on Ultra Hair Clouser flies fished on sink tip fly lines along the east side of the bay before heading for shallow water. Robert had several eats, connected with a couple of reds and landed one on my Flat Minnow fly. The reds got more aggressive as the water warmed and the tide rose. He had numerous sight fishing opportunities and we worked hard to get the bites, but it was very rewarding!
Next week’s tides should be good for fishing both deep and shallow flats of Sarasota Bay as we approach a new moon on 10/26. Action with albies and Spanish mackerel should return in the coastal gulf as soon as the water clears and seas calm down. There is still time to enter the Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers/Coastal Conservation Association’s Sarasota “Fall Fly Fishing Challenge” to be held next Saturday, 10/29. Contact me for more info or to sign up.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL, caught and released this Sarasota Bay red on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Richard Gilliam, from CA, caught and released this Spanish mackerel on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Orvis rep Robert Bryant, from Greensboro, NC, fished Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett and caught and released this red on a Grassett Flats Minnow fly.
10/24/2011
Action in the coastal gulf shut down due to dirty and rough water following last week’s wind and rain. However Sarasota Bay action turned on after conditions settled, particularly in shallow water. Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, Spanish mackerel and redfish on lures and flies during the past week.
John Evans, from the UK, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. It was breezy and the action wasn’t fast, but he caught and released trout on Clouser flies along the east side of the bay and near Long Bar. We had windy and rainy conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday, so those trips had to be rescheduled. I attended a continuing education seminar for fly casting instructors at the annual FFF-Florida Council Conclave in Kissimmee, FL on Thursday. It was time well spent covering various topics related to teaching fly casting.
After weather conditions settled a little, Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL, and Dale Vollrath, from Sarasota, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. They had a great day catching and releasing trout and more than 10 reds on CAL jigs with shad and grub tails. They sight fished some of the reds in potholes in north Sarasota Bay at the bottom of the tide. A great day!
Fly angler Richard Gilliam, from CA, fished the same areas with me on Saturday. He was weathered out on Tuesday and this was our only chance to make the trip up. He caught and released numerous trout, several Spanish mackerel and connected with a red. He used an Ultra Hair Clouser fly on deep grass flats for the trout and mackerel and my Grassett Flats Minnow fly for the red. Orvis representative Robert Bryant, from Greensboro, NC, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Sunday. We caught a few trout and a Spanish mackerel on Ultra Hair Clouser flies fished on sink tip fly lines along the east side of the bay before heading for shallow water. Robert had several eats, connected with a couple of reds and landed one on my Flat Minnow fly. The reds got more aggressive as the water warmed and the tide rose. He had numerous sight fishing opportunities and we worked hard to get the bites, but it was very rewarding!
Next week’s tides should be good for fishing both deep and shallow flats of Sarasota Bay as we approach a new moon on 10/26. Action with albies and Spanish mackerel should return in the coastal gulf as soon as the water clears and seas calm down. There is still time to enter the Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers/Coastal Conservation Association’s Sarasota “Fall Fly Fishing Challenge” to be held next Saturday, 10/29. Contact me for more info or to sign up.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL, caught and released this Sarasota Bay red on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Richard Gilliam, from CA, caught and released this Spanish mackerel on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Orvis rep Robert Bryant, from Greensboro, NC, fished Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett and caught and released this red on a Grassett Flats Minnow fly.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report 10-24- 2011
Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, October 20, 2011
By Captain Tom Van Horn
Upcoming Seminars and Events
Saturday October 22nd, Free Fishing Seminar "Lagoon Fall Fishing Tactics"
10: 00 - 12:00 "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Lagoon Fall Fishing Tactics", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Saturday November 12th, Gumbo Cook Off for Give Kids the World and Anglers for Conservation
12 Noon at Fish on Fire Restaurant in Orlando. For more details, visit www.fishingfloridaradio.com
Central Florida Shad and Crappie Derby Dates
Thursday December 15th, Shad and Crappie Derby anglers meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Mosquito Creek Outdoor, 170 South Washington Avenue in Apopka.
Saturday December 17th, Shad and Crappie Derby begins at safe light.
Saturday January 14th, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Crappie Rally and Seminar at Boat Tree Marina at the Port of Sanford.
Saturday February 25th, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Shad Rally and Seminar at the Jolly Gator Fish Camp on the St. Johns River and HWY 46 east of Geneva.
Saturday March 17th, Shad and Crappie Derby ends at dusk.
February 11th and 12th, Old Florida Outdoor Festival in Apopka, Florida.
Last Weeks Fishing Report
Finally, the stormy weather has past and we dodged another bullet as the second no-name storm passed well south of us dumping most of it's energy on south Florida. With that said, this weekends weather is looking good and we are well on our way to some great fall fishing.
On the lagoons this past week, water conditions are still high and dirty with water temperatures cooling off. Sight fishing is still tough with the best results coming from staking out on the flats and chunking cut mullet and ladyfish. There are still some schools of breeder redfish roaming the lagoon, and when approached properly, they will easily take a well presented DOA shallow running Bait Buster or Big Fish Lure. Look for the breeder schools out in deeper water. Once located, set up well in front of the school and cast your lure in front of the leading fish and reel it back across the top of the water. Once fish start striking at the lure, do not stop it until you feel the fish on your line with a solid hook set.
Offshore, the prevailing easterly fetch will push the weeds in closer. This past week before the blow conditions were perfect, and some nice wahoo and dolphin were caught out of both Port Canaveral and Sebastian around weed lines as soon as the water color turned deep blue. Again, heavy seas kept folks in the Port this week, but once seas settle down, offshore trolling should be very good.
Along the beaches and in the inlets of Ponce De Leon, Port Canaveral and Sebastian, the mullet run is in full swing with heavy concentrations of silver mullet pushing through. There have been good reports of snook and flounder in the surf, feeding on finger mullet, as well as your standard bluefish, jacks and Spanish mackerel, with the best results coming from casting live mullet on a slip sinker rig. The snook fishing has also been good in Port Canaveral and Sebastian, especially at night, again fishing with live mullet and mullet imitation lures like the DOA Bait Buster.
As always, if you need information of have any questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
http://www.irl-fishing.com
(407) 416-1187
For all of your outdoor needs, visit www.mosquitocreek.com, it's where your adventure begins.
By Captain Tom Van Horn
Upcoming Seminars and Events
Saturday October 22nd, Free Fishing Seminar "Lagoon Fall Fishing Tactics"
10: 00 - 12:00 "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Lagoon Fall Fishing Tactics", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Saturday November 12th, Gumbo Cook Off for Give Kids the World and Anglers for Conservation
12 Noon at Fish on Fire Restaurant in Orlando. For more details, visit www.fishingfloridaradio.com
Central Florida Shad and Crappie Derby Dates
Thursday December 15th, Shad and Crappie Derby anglers meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Mosquito Creek Outdoor, 170 South Washington Avenue in Apopka.
Saturday December 17th, Shad and Crappie Derby begins at safe light.
Saturday January 14th, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Crappie Rally and Seminar at Boat Tree Marina at the Port of Sanford.
Saturday February 25th, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Shad Rally and Seminar at the Jolly Gator Fish Camp on the St. Johns River and HWY 46 east of Geneva.
Saturday March 17th, Shad and Crappie Derby ends at dusk.
February 11th and 12th, Old Florida Outdoor Festival in Apopka, Florida.
Last Weeks Fishing Report
Finally, the stormy weather has past and we dodged another bullet as the second no-name storm passed well south of us dumping most of it's energy on south Florida. With that said, this weekends weather is looking good and we are well on our way to some great fall fishing.
On the lagoons this past week, water conditions are still high and dirty with water temperatures cooling off. Sight fishing is still tough with the best results coming from staking out on the flats and chunking cut mullet and ladyfish. There are still some schools of breeder redfish roaming the lagoon, and when approached properly, they will easily take a well presented DOA shallow running Bait Buster or Big Fish Lure. Look for the breeder schools out in deeper water. Once located, set up well in front of the school and cast your lure in front of the leading fish and reel it back across the top of the water. Once fish start striking at the lure, do not stop it until you feel the fish on your line with a solid hook set.
Offshore, the prevailing easterly fetch will push the weeds in closer. This past week before the blow conditions were perfect, and some nice wahoo and dolphin were caught out of both Port Canaveral and Sebastian around weed lines as soon as the water color turned deep blue. Again, heavy seas kept folks in the Port this week, but once seas settle down, offshore trolling should be very good.
Along the beaches and in the inlets of Ponce De Leon, Port Canaveral and Sebastian, the mullet run is in full swing with heavy concentrations of silver mullet pushing through. There have been good reports of snook and flounder in the surf, feeding on finger mullet, as well as your standard bluefish, jacks and Spanish mackerel, with the best results coming from casting live mullet on a slip sinker rig. The snook fishing has also been good in Port Canaveral and Sebastian, especially at night, again fishing with live mullet and mullet imitation lures like the DOA Bait Buster.
As always, if you need information of have any questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
http://www.irl-fishing.com
(407) 416-1187
For all of your outdoor needs, visit www.mosquitocreek.com, it's where your adventure begins.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Tarpon Springs Fishing Report 10-2011
October 2011 Tampa Fishing Report
Monday, 03 October 2011
Written by Stewart Ames
In a perfect fishing world, October brings large redfish, schools of Spanish mackerel followed by kingfish, bonita, shark, some stray barracuda, and mangrove snapper. It can also signal the beginning of the near shore fall grouper bite. All of this can make this month one of the best of the year to fish. What actually shows up, when it shows up and how long it stays will all be determined by temperature. With the arrival of the first cold front of the year a few days ago, the process appears to be in motion. The first mackerel showed up about three weeks ago. Many were small...typical for these early arrivals. Some 4 - 5 lbs. fish were caught before the last front though so many more should follow within the next week or two. Also, bait is now blanketing the beaches and this should spur the arrival of the remaining predators mentioned above. Calm days with east winds tend to bring fish closer to the beach so most inshore Tampa fishing guides wait for this weather pattern to best take advantage of this near shore bite.
The first order of business on a Tampa fishing charter is to stuff the bait well to capacity with frisky pilchards. In order to maximize the amount of baits in the live well, target pilchards over threadfin herring (the other whitebait) due to their durability. Threadfins packed in close quarters will die much more quickly than pilchards so fewer can be kept. The more bait available for chumming, the greater the likelihood of success. With a stuffed live well, head to near shore reefs and ledges in 15 to 30 feet of water. Begin chumming live and wounded (crushed) baits liberally. Oftentimes, mackerel surface immediately and the bite is one. On other occasions, it may take 15 to 20 minutes to lure mackerel that are in the area to the back of the boat. tampa fishing for beach redfishIf no fish show up after 20 minutes or so, go ahead and change locations and repeat the process. It's best to try a different depth when moving. Whatever the case, while chumming, deploy a few free-lined baits on standard inshore tackle. Number 2 long shanks hooks on 30 lbs flourocarbon may work just fine to prevent "bite offs" from these toothy fish however, if long shanks alone don't solve the problem, short steel leaders of 4 - 6 inches will get the job done. Use 31 - 40 lbs Malin Hardwire or the tie-able American Fishing Wire (AFW) to make these leaders. Regarding swivels, the extremely small Spro brand is preferred as these don't leave much of a bubble trail. Mackerel, when frenzied, will bite at anything, including the swivel if it draws enough attention. Once fish are found and become active, continue to chum as kingfish, bonita, barracuda, snapper and even grouper may be drawn to the action. If one of the smaller rods get "smoked" by a larger fish, be prepared with a heavy spinning rod and reel capable of holding 250 - 300 yards of thirty pound test as a kingfish may have shown up. On this rod, put out a larger bait on a balloon with a stinger rig. Larger would be anything too big for the Spanish mackerel to eat...a smaller mackerel, larger blue runner, ladyfish etc. monster flounder caught on tampa fishing charterChances are that a bigger predator working the slick will find this bait in fairly short order. Most Tampa Fishing guides are constantly looking down into the water behind the boat as, at times, other predators like cobia will swim right in or mangrove snapper will rise up off the bottom to help themselves to a free dinner. It's important to see these other fish as a cobia might not eat a whitebait but will immediately strike a pinfish cast in it's direction. Snapper might be too line shy to eat a bait on a steel leader but will readily take a bait on a longer, lighter flourocarbon leader.
Barring any early cold, redfish numbers could increase and, with a little luck, decent numbers of breeder or bull redfish will appear close to shore as well. These thirty to forty inch plus fish can be hooked everywhere from right off the beach to over the same near shore ledges that hold the fish mentioned above. Locating them takes a lot more work than catching the standard sized redfish but it's well worth the effort once one of these brutes is on the line. Medium sized pinfish and large cut bait are ideal for attracting the attention of these heavyweights. Since redfish don't typically run for cover, very large fish can be caught on standard inshore tackle. It just takes a little longer to bring them in. Small to medium sized slot redfish have started to show up in slightly greater numbers over the last month, giving hope to a decent finish to the redfish season. Another fish that tends to be caught a little more frequently as the water cools is the flounder. This is not a fish that is commonly targeted by Tampa fishing guides. It is more of an incidental catch when fishing for redfish and other species but sandy bottom areas adjacent to rocks are a favorite stomping ground for this stealthy predator.Cleaning a flounder requires a different approach due to their oddly shaped bodies but the meat is excellent to eat.
A Tampa fishing charter in October might yield more than a half dozen different species on any given day and the moderate temperatures make it a great time of year to take advantage of our beautiful, local environment...so don't wait. It will be Thanksgiving before you know it. Good luck and good fishing.
Captain Stewart Ames
727-421-5291
http://www.captainames.com/
sames001@tampabay.rr.com
Monday, 03 October 2011
Written by Stewart Ames
In a perfect fishing world, October brings large redfish, schools of Spanish mackerel followed by kingfish, bonita, shark, some stray barracuda, and mangrove snapper. It can also signal the beginning of the near shore fall grouper bite. All of this can make this month one of the best of the year to fish. What actually shows up, when it shows up and how long it stays will all be determined by temperature. With the arrival of the first cold front of the year a few days ago, the process appears to be in motion. The first mackerel showed up about three weeks ago. Many were small...typical for these early arrivals. Some 4 - 5 lbs. fish were caught before the last front though so many more should follow within the next week or two. Also, bait is now blanketing the beaches and this should spur the arrival of the remaining predators mentioned above. Calm days with east winds tend to bring fish closer to the beach so most inshore Tampa fishing guides wait for this weather pattern to best take advantage of this near shore bite.
The first order of business on a Tampa fishing charter is to stuff the bait well to capacity with frisky pilchards. In order to maximize the amount of baits in the live well, target pilchards over threadfin herring (the other whitebait) due to their durability. Threadfins packed in close quarters will die much more quickly than pilchards so fewer can be kept. The more bait available for chumming, the greater the likelihood of success. With a stuffed live well, head to near shore reefs and ledges in 15 to 30 feet of water. Begin chumming live and wounded (crushed) baits liberally. Oftentimes, mackerel surface immediately and the bite is one. On other occasions, it may take 15 to 20 minutes to lure mackerel that are in the area to the back of the boat. tampa fishing for beach redfishIf no fish show up after 20 minutes or so, go ahead and change locations and repeat the process. It's best to try a different depth when moving. Whatever the case, while chumming, deploy a few free-lined baits on standard inshore tackle. Number 2 long shanks hooks on 30 lbs flourocarbon may work just fine to prevent "bite offs" from these toothy fish however, if long shanks alone don't solve the problem, short steel leaders of 4 - 6 inches will get the job done. Use 31 - 40 lbs Malin Hardwire or the tie-able American Fishing Wire (AFW) to make these leaders. Regarding swivels, the extremely small Spro brand is preferred as these don't leave much of a bubble trail. Mackerel, when frenzied, will bite at anything, including the swivel if it draws enough attention. Once fish are found and become active, continue to chum as kingfish, bonita, barracuda, snapper and even grouper may be drawn to the action. If one of the smaller rods get "smoked" by a larger fish, be prepared with a heavy spinning rod and reel capable of holding 250 - 300 yards of thirty pound test as a kingfish may have shown up. On this rod, put out a larger bait on a balloon with a stinger rig. Larger would be anything too big for the Spanish mackerel to eat...a smaller mackerel, larger blue runner, ladyfish etc. monster flounder caught on tampa fishing charterChances are that a bigger predator working the slick will find this bait in fairly short order. Most Tampa Fishing guides are constantly looking down into the water behind the boat as, at times, other predators like cobia will swim right in or mangrove snapper will rise up off the bottom to help themselves to a free dinner. It's important to see these other fish as a cobia might not eat a whitebait but will immediately strike a pinfish cast in it's direction. Snapper might be too line shy to eat a bait on a steel leader but will readily take a bait on a longer, lighter flourocarbon leader.
Barring any early cold, redfish numbers could increase and, with a little luck, decent numbers of breeder or bull redfish will appear close to shore as well. These thirty to forty inch plus fish can be hooked everywhere from right off the beach to over the same near shore ledges that hold the fish mentioned above. Locating them takes a lot more work than catching the standard sized redfish but it's well worth the effort once one of these brutes is on the line. Medium sized pinfish and large cut bait are ideal for attracting the attention of these heavyweights. Since redfish don't typically run for cover, very large fish can be caught on standard inshore tackle. It just takes a little longer to bring them in. Small to medium sized slot redfish have started to show up in slightly greater numbers over the last month, giving hope to a decent finish to the redfish season. Another fish that tends to be caught a little more frequently as the water cools is the flounder. This is not a fish that is commonly targeted by Tampa fishing guides. It is more of an incidental catch when fishing for redfish and other species but sandy bottom areas adjacent to rocks are a favorite stomping ground for this stealthy predator.Cleaning a flounder requires a different approach due to their oddly shaped bodies but the meat is excellent to eat.
A Tampa fishing charter in October might yield more than a half dozen different species on any given day and the moderate temperatures make it a great time of year to take advantage of our beautiful, local environment...so don't wait. It will be Thanksgiving before you know it. Good luck and good fishing.
Captain Stewart Ames
727-421-5291
http://www.captainames.com/
sames001@tampabay.rr.com
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sarasota Fishing Report- 10-17-2011
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Sarasota, FL Fishing Report
10/16/2011
Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and albies during the past week. We had good action in Sarasota Bay with trout, blues and Spanish mackerel and with albies in the coastal gulf.
Jon Grimes and Tony Rich, both from Longboat Key, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday. They caught and released numerous trout to 18”, blues to 4-lbs and Spanish mackerel on DOA Deadly Combos and Ultra Hair Clouser flies near Whale Key.
Fly anglers Dave Macomber, from MN, and his brother Scott Macomber, from MA, fished with me on Friday and Saturday. They had a good day on Friday catching and releasing 6 or 7 albies to 8 ½ lbs in the coastal gulf off Sarasota on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. We snook fished in the ICW near Venice before dawn on Saturday morning where they caught and released 4 or 5 snook on the same fly. We fished the coastal gulf out of Venice after dawn and found Spanish mackerel, but no albies. We came upon an awesome scene as Spanish mackerel crashed a bait ball and 25 or 30 sharks cruised the bait ball with dorsal fins out of the water eating mackerel!
Next week’s outgoing tides in the morning should be good for fishing the coastal gulf or the flats. Look for reds along sand bars and in potholes at the bottom of the tide.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Longboat Key, Fl resident, Jon Grimes, caught and released this nice blue on a DOA Deadly Combo while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Dave Macomber, from MN, caught and released this albie on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett.
10/16/2011
Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and albies during the past week. We had good action in Sarasota Bay with trout, blues and Spanish mackerel and with albies in the coastal gulf.
Jon Grimes and Tony Rich, both from Longboat Key, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday. They caught and released numerous trout to 18”, blues to 4-lbs and Spanish mackerel on DOA Deadly Combos and Ultra Hair Clouser flies near Whale Key.
Fly anglers Dave Macomber, from MN, and his brother Scott Macomber, from MA, fished with me on Friday and Saturday. They had a good day on Friday catching and releasing 6 or 7 albies to 8 ½ lbs in the coastal gulf off Sarasota on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. We snook fished in the ICW near Venice before dawn on Saturday morning where they caught and released 4 or 5 snook on the same fly. We fished the coastal gulf out of Venice after dawn and found Spanish mackerel, but no albies. We came upon an awesome scene as Spanish mackerel crashed a bait ball and 25 or 30 sharks cruised the bait ball with dorsal fins out of the water eating mackerel!
Next week’s outgoing tides in the morning should be good for fishing the coastal gulf or the flats. Look for reds along sand bars and in potholes at the bottom of the tide.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Longboat Key, Fl resident, Jon Grimes, caught and released this nice blue on a DOA Deadly Combo while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Dave Macomber, from MN, caught and released this albie on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sarasota Bay Fishing Report 10-10-2011
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Sarasota, FL Fishing Report
10/9/2011
Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released albies (little tunny), reds, trout, snook, blues and Spanish mackerel during the past week. Some of the best action was with albies on flies in the coastal gulf although there was also good action in skinny water with reds, trout and a nice snook. Visibility was good enough in shallow water that we were able to sight cast to some of the reds with jigs and flies.
Steve Gibson and I fished the coastal gulf off Siesta Key on Tuesday and had a good day with albies. We caught and released7 or 8 in the 8 to 10-pound class on small white flies. I threw my Snook Minnow fly and Gibby was using a small white fly that he tied. We had to work to stay on the fish, but they would eat when you got a fly into them. We caught and released a couple of trout and had some shots at reds with a fly on Wednesday’s trip in north Sarasota Bay, but the reds didn’t eat that day.
Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers member, Gene Mayberry from Bradenton, FL, went into the gulf with me on Thursday. He had a good day catching and releasing 8 or 10 albies on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Chad McCoy, from Bardstown, KY, his son Hunter and Hunter’s friend, Clay, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. Chad fly fished while the boys threw CAL jigs, DOA Deadly Combos and plugs. They caught and released a few trout, bluefish and a Spanish mackerel near Bird Key. It was great to see everyone’s enthusiasm!
Randy Powell and Ben Hatcher, both from Sarasota, FL, had a good day fishing skinny water in north Sarasota Bay with me on Saturday. We had a terrible weather forecast for high winds and rain, but it never got that bad. We hugged the east shore of Sarasota Bay where they caught and released several trout, 3 reds and a nice snook on CAL jigs with plastic grubs. Ben landed the snook, a 28”, 7-pound plus fish to complete his slam for the day! The forecast was even worse for Sunday, but based on Saturday’s trip we decided to give it a shot. Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL, and his guest, Aaron Way from Okeechobee, FL, fished the same areas with me and caught and released numerous trout, a 4-pound blue and a red that was sight-fished in skinny water on DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with plastic grubs.
Tides will be good next week as we approach a full moon. Albies on the beach or reds and snook in skinny water should be good options depending on conditions.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers member, Gene Mayberry from Bradenton, FL, caught and released this albie on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Randy Powell, from Sarasota, FL, caught this slot red on a CAL jig with a plastic grub while fishing north Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Ben Hatcher, from Sarasota, FL caught and released this 29", 7-pound plus snook on a CAL jig with a plastic grub to complete his slam while fishing north Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Aaron Way, from Okeechobee, FL, caught and released this 4-pound blue on a DOA Deadly Combo while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
10/9/2011
Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released albies (little tunny), reds, trout, snook, blues and Spanish mackerel during the past week. Some of the best action was with albies on flies in the coastal gulf although there was also good action in skinny water with reds, trout and a nice snook. Visibility was good enough in shallow water that we were able to sight cast to some of the reds with jigs and flies.
Steve Gibson and I fished the coastal gulf off Siesta Key on Tuesday and had a good day with albies. We caught and released7 or 8 in the 8 to 10-pound class on small white flies. I threw my Snook Minnow fly and Gibby was using a small white fly that he tied. We had to work to stay on the fish, but they would eat when you got a fly into them. We caught and released a couple of trout and had some shots at reds with a fly on Wednesday’s trip in north Sarasota Bay, but the reds didn’t eat that day.
Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers member, Gene Mayberry from Bradenton, FL, went into the gulf with me on Thursday. He had a good day catching and releasing 8 or 10 albies on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Chad McCoy, from Bardstown, KY, his son Hunter and Hunter’s friend, Clay, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. Chad fly fished while the boys threw CAL jigs, DOA Deadly Combos and plugs. They caught and released a few trout, bluefish and a Spanish mackerel near Bird Key. It was great to see everyone’s enthusiasm!
Randy Powell and Ben Hatcher, both from Sarasota, FL, had a good day fishing skinny water in north Sarasota Bay with me on Saturday. We had a terrible weather forecast for high winds and rain, but it never got that bad. We hugged the east shore of Sarasota Bay where they caught and released several trout, 3 reds and a nice snook on CAL jigs with plastic grubs. Ben landed the snook, a 28”, 7-pound plus fish to complete his slam for the day! The forecast was even worse for Sunday, but based on Saturday’s trip we decided to give it a shot. Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL, and his guest, Aaron Way from Okeechobee, FL, fished the same areas with me and caught and released numerous trout, a 4-pound blue and a red that was sight-fished in skinny water on DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with plastic grubs.
Tides will be good next week as we approach a full moon. Albies on the beach or reds and snook in skinny water should be good options depending on conditions.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers member, Gene Mayberry from Bradenton, FL, caught and released this albie on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Randy Powell, from Sarasota, FL, caught this slot red on a CAL jig with a plastic grub while fishing north Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Ben Hatcher, from Sarasota, FL caught and released this 29", 7-pound plus snook on a CAL jig with a plastic grub to complete his slam while fishing north Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Aaron Way, from Okeechobee, FL, caught and released this 4-pound blue on a DOA Deadly Combo while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Friday, October 07, 2011
Apalachicola Fishing Report 10-2011
Robinson Brothers Guide Service has moved!........
...right next door. Come see us in our new home at 122 Commerce St. where we are leasing space from the Visitors Center.
Those of you who have fished with "The Holland Boys" know what it means to have a 140 fish day. Capt. Tommy Holland's crew had such a day just this week including Redfish, sea trout, mackerel, flounder, white trout & probabaly more but he was talking so fast I couldn't keep up. He told me to let y'all know you'd best "Get yer butts down here!" Call Valerie or reply to this email if you have questions or wish to book a trip.
IT'S REDFISH SEASON!!
Capt. Chris Robinson says...
As we come into October the inshore shrimp hatch is on fire, we have had just the right amount of rainfall to get the nutrients flushed into the bay and get the shrimp fired off. The Reds and Trout have welcomed the season in a big way for us, very nice catches of trout, flounder and reds for the bay guides and the flats guides are having some big days up in the shallows sight fishing for redfish. The next couple of months is normally some of the best fishing we have, with cooler temps and hungry fish, so come on down and get hooked up!
KEY WEST
Capt. Tommy is stalking the flats for permit & bones this month. Sorry Folks, Tarpon season is pretty much over in Apalach but you may still hook up in the Keys this fall. Kathy is working on the spring schedule in the Keys, so be sure to let her (why am I typing in 3rd person?) know if you plan to keep your days in 2012 or if someone else might take advantage of them.
Caution Divers - please be especially careful when handlling lionfish and be sure you know the health risks associated with the neuro-toxin they deliver with a sting.
ROBINSON BROTHERS GUIDE SERVICE
122 Commerce St., Apalachicola, FL 32320
www.floridaredfish.com
850-653-8896
...right next door. Come see us in our new home at 122 Commerce St. where we are leasing space from the Visitors Center.
Those of you who have fished with "The Holland Boys" know what it means to have a 140 fish day. Capt. Tommy Holland's crew had such a day just this week including Redfish, sea trout, mackerel, flounder, white trout & probabaly more but he was talking so fast I couldn't keep up. He told me to let y'all know you'd best "Get yer butts down here!" Call Valerie or reply to this email if you have questions or wish to book a trip.
IT'S REDFISH SEASON!!
Capt. Chris Robinson says...
As we come into October the inshore shrimp hatch is on fire, we have had just the right amount of rainfall to get the nutrients flushed into the bay and get the shrimp fired off. The Reds and Trout have welcomed the season in a big way for us, very nice catches of trout, flounder and reds for the bay guides and the flats guides are having some big days up in the shallows sight fishing for redfish. The next couple of months is normally some of the best fishing we have, with cooler temps and hungry fish, so come on down and get hooked up!
KEY WEST
Capt. Tommy is stalking the flats for permit & bones this month. Sorry Folks, Tarpon season is pretty much over in Apalach but you may still hook up in the Keys this fall. Kathy is working on the spring schedule in the Keys, so be sure to let her (why am I typing in 3rd person?) know if you plan to keep your days in 2012 or if someone else might take advantage of them.
Caution Divers - please be especially careful when handlling lionfish and be sure you know the health risks associated with the neuro-toxin they deliver with a sting.
ROBINSON BROTHERS GUIDE SERVICE
122 Commerce St., Apalachicola, FL 32320
www.floridaredfish.com
850-653-8896
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report 10-5-2011
Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
October 5, 2011
By Captain Tom Van Horn
Upcoming Seminars and Events
Saturday October 8th, Free Intro to Fly Fishing Class
10 a.m. - 12 noon, free introduction to Fly Fishing Class instructed by FFF Certified instructor Captain Chris Myers. Class will be held at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 S. Washington Ave., Apopka, Florida. www.mosquitocreel.com.
Saturday October 22nd, Free Fishing Seminar "Lagoon Fall Fishing Tactics"
10: 00 - 12:00 "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Lagoon Fall Fishing Tactics", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Saturday November 12th, Gumbo Cook Off for Give Kids the World and Anglers for Conservation
12 Noon at Fish on Fire Restaurant in Orlando. For more details, visit www.fishingfloridaradio.com
Last Weeks Fishing Report
Although October welcomed us with stunning fall weather conditions, our cool sunny days will transition this weekend from gorgeous to gloomy as nasty weather moves in. On both Saturday and Sunday, high winds up to 30 knots and rain are predicted. In addition, the heavy onshore fetch will kick the seas up to 7 feet, shutting down any chance of venturing out of the Port. I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but it is what it is, and our time this weekend may be better spent catching up on chores or spending time with family and friends.
On the lagoons this past week, water conditions are still high and dirty with a water temperature has cooled off to 76.7 degrees. For the most part, sight fishing was tough and the best results came from staking out on the flats and chunking cut mullet and ladyfish. For those of you who fish in the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (Mosquito Lagoon), the park service implemented a new ramp fee of 5.00 on October 1st, with an annual pass of 15.00 available at the Visitors Center.
Offshore, this easterly fetch should push the weed lines in closer, but the wind and heavy seas could also bring in the jellyfish again. This past week, conditions were perfect, and some nice wahoo and dolphin were caught around weed lines in 120 feet of water out of both Port Canaveral and Sebastian. Again, heavy seas will keep folks in Port this weekend, but once seas settle down, offshore trolling should be good.
Along the beaches and in the inlets of Ponce De Leon, Port Canaveral and Sebastian, the mullet run is in full swing with heavy concentrations of silver mullet pushing through. There have been good reports of snook and flounder in the surf, feeding on finger mullet, as well as your standard bluefish, jacks and Spanish mackerel, with the best results coming from casting live mullet on a slip sinker rig. The snook fishing has also been in Port Canaveral and Sebastian, especially at night, again fishing with live mullet and mullet imitation lures like the DOA Baitbuster.
I know that regardless of the snotty weather forecast for this weekend, some of you are going to fish anyway, so my suggestion is to fish on the insides on the inlets on leeward shorelines, but exercise extreme caution this weekend while out in open water, and better yet, Attend Captain Chris Myer's free fly fishing class at Mosquito Creek Outdoors or UCF has a home game against Marshall on Saturday, go Knights!
As always, if you need information of have any questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
http://www.irl-fishing.com
(407) 416-1187
For all of your outdoor needs, visit www.mosquitocreek.com, it's where your adventure begins.
October 5, 2011
By Captain Tom Van Horn
Upcoming Seminars and Events
Saturday October 8th, Free Intro to Fly Fishing Class
10 a.m. - 12 noon, free introduction to Fly Fishing Class instructed by FFF Certified instructor Captain Chris Myers. Class will be held at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 S. Washington Ave., Apopka, Florida. www.mosquitocreel.com.
Saturday October 22nd, Free Fishing Seminar "Lagoon Fall Fishing Tactics"
10: 00 - 12:00 "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Lagoon Fall Fishing Tactics", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Saturday November 12th, Gumbo Cook Off for Give Kids the World and Anglers for Conservation
12 Noon at Fish on Fire Restaurant in Orlando. For more details, visit www.fishingfloridaradio.com
Last Weeks Fishing Report
Although October welcomed us with stunning fall weather conditions, our cool sunny days will transition this weekend from gorgeous to gloomy as nasty weather moves in. On both Saturday and Sunday, high winds up to 30 knots and rain are predicted. In addition, the heavy onshore fetch will kick the seas up to 7 feet, shutting down any chance of venturing out of the Port. I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but it is what it is, and our time this weekend may be better spent catching up on chores or spending time with family and friends.
On the lagoons this past week, water conditions are still high and dirty with a water temperature has cooled off to 76.7 degrees. For the most part, sight fishing was tough and the best results came from staking out on the flats and chunking cut mullet and ladyfish. For those of you who fish in the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (Mosquito Lagoon), the park service implemented a new ramp fee of 5.00 on October 1st, with an annual pass of 15.00 available at the Visitors Center.
Offshore, this easterly fetch should push the weed lines in closer, but the wind and heavy seas could also bring in the jellyfish again. This past week, conditions were perfect, and some nice wahoo and dolphin were caught around weed lines in 120 feet of water out of both Port Canaveral and Sebastian. Again, heavy seas will keep folks in Port this weekend, but once seas settle down, offshore trolling should be good.
Along the beaches and in the inlets of Ponce De Leon, Port Canaveral and Sebastian, the mullet run is in full swing with heavy concentrations of silver mullet pushing through. There have been good reports of snook and flounder in the surf, feeding on finger mullet, as well as your standard bluefish, jacks and Spanish mackerel, with the best results coming from casting live mullet on a slip sinker rig. The snook fishing has also been in Port Canaveral and Sebastian, especially at night, again fishing with live mullet and mullet imitation lures like the DOA Baitbuster.
I know that regardless of the snotty weather forecast for this weekend, some of you are going to fish anyway, so my suggestion is to fish on the insides on the inlets on leeward shorelines, but exercise extreme caution this weekend while out in open water, and better yet, Attend Captain Chris Myer's free fly fishing class at Mosquito Creek Outdoors or UCF has a home game against Marshall on Saturday, go Knights!
As always, if you need information of have any questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
http://www.irl-fishing.com
(407) 416-1187
For all of your outdoor needs, visit www.mosquitocreek.com, it's where your adventure begins.
Guide To The Indian River Lagoon
Enjoying Life on the Indian River Lagoon Coast by Captain Rodney Smith
If you've ever wondered about kayak fishing, snorkeling or crabbing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon Coast, you need look no further. In Capt. Rodney Smith's newest book, Enjoying Life on the Indian River Lagoon Coast, you'll learn about these topics and much more-including Indian River Lagoon tides, guiding, shrimping, fishing, canoeing, sea turtles, sea level rise, beach combing, conservation, gardening, bird watching, dolphins and weather patterns.
This 228-page book, compiled from Rodney's own journal, written over the course of 20-plus years, is made even better with the inclusion of the author's own beautiful color photographs. In it Rodney shares the secrets of success to exploring the Indian River Lagoon system-one of the world's most prolific and diverse estuaries.
What Capt. John Kumiski once said about Rodney's first book, Catching Made Easy
: Where, When and How to Catch More Fish, holds true for Enjoying Life on the Indian River Lagoon Coast: "Don't buy this book. There's nothing in here you couldn't learn on your own given two or three lifetimes."
For more information on how to purchaseone of Rodney's books or one of his Surf Fishing Hot Spots Maps of Brevard County, please contact Capt. Rodney Smith at rodney@coastalanglermagazine.com.
e articles on topics of interest to your readers, relevant news and events.
If you've ever wondered about kayak fishing, snorkeling or crabbing along Florida's Indian River Lagoon Coast, you need look no further. In Capt. Rodney Smith's newest book, Enjoying Life on the Indian River Lagoon Coast, you'll learn about these topics and much more-including Indian River Lagoon tides, guiding, shrimping, fishing, canoeing, sea turtles, sea level rise, beach combing, conservation, gardening, bird watching, dolphins and weather patterns.
This 228-page book, compiled from Rodney's own journal, written over the course of 20-plus years, is made even better with the inclusion of the author's own beautiful color photographs. In it Rodney shares the secrets of success to exploring the Indian River Lagoon system-one of the world's most prolific and diverse estuaries.
What Capt. John Kumiski once said about Rodney's first book, Catching Made Easy
: Where, When and How to Catch More Fish, holds true for Enjoying Life on the Indian River Lagoon Coast: "Don't buy this book. There's nothing in here you couldn't learn on your own given two or three lifetimes."For more information on how to purchaseone of Rodney's books or one of his Surf Fishing Hot Spots Maps of Brevard County, please contact Capt. Rodney Smith at rodney@coastalanglermagazine.com.
e articles on topics of interest to your readers, relevant news and events.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Amelia Island Fishing Report 10-5-2011
September Report/October Forecast:
Cool mornings warming to mild temperatures later in the day were the norm in September making for great fishing weather here on Amelia Island. The manatee seem to be gone, but the Seatrout, Flounder and Redfish are heating up - and their sizes are larger, too!
Backcountry Amelia Island Redfish
Great Fall fishing should continue in October. The weather should be perfect for backcountry fishing. Checking my 2010 journal, there were plenty of Trout, Redfish and Flounder to be caught.
Folks, this is the best time of year to be fishing Amelia Island backwaters!
Plan to book a trip on The Anglers Mark!
Wading for Amelia Island Redfish
Flood Tides in October:
Tides should be high enough to flood the grass and give anglers a shot at tailing Redfish. Good dates would be the mornings of October 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16th and afternoons of October 22 and 23rd. Then the mornings of October 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31st would be good. Fishing out of The Anglers Mark, we'll plan to ease up to the flooded grass and get out and wade to tailing fish.
25th Annual Backwater Tournament:
The Nassau Sport Fishing Association will be holding their 25th Annual Backwater Tournament Saturday November 12th. The Captains meeting will be held at Tiger Point Marina on Friday, November 11th at 6:30pm. Checkout on Saturday will be at 6:00am. Weigh in will be at Tiger Point Marina and the weigh in line opens at 3:30pm and closes at 4:30pm. Awards dinner will be Saturday, November 12th at 7:00pm.
There will be three prize categories with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each. The categories are Largest Flounder, an Aggregate of 3 Trout and a Slam of Redfish, Trout and Flounder. There is also a youth tournament for kids 16yrs and under. For more information call Allen Mills at 904-261-9481 or visit the NSFA website.
The Anglers Mark Videos a Huge Success!
Amelia Island Redfish Fishing Action
Last month's video was well received judging on how many viewed it. My wife says its because they're "real" and not produced. You can tell by this month's video that I'm not a pro at running a video camera and I usually rely on one of my guests to take over while I net and dehook the fish. Never the less, they're fun to view afterwards and enjoy the excitement all over again!
Capt. Lawrence Piper
The Anglers Mark
Amelia Island, Florida
904-557-1027
lwpiper@comcast.net
theanglersmark.com
Cool mornings warming to mild temperatures later in the day were the norm in September making for great fishing weather here on Amelia Island. The manatee seem to be gone, but the Seatrout, Flounder and Redfish are heating up - and their sizes are larger, too!
Backcountry Amelia Island Redfish
Great Fall fishing should continue in October. The weather should be perfect for backcountry fishing. Checking my 2010 journal, there were plenty of Trout, Redfish and Flounder to be caught.
Folks, this is the best time of year to be fishing Amelia Island backwaters!
Plan to book a trip on The Anglers Mark!
Wading for Amelia Island Redfish
Flood Tides in October:
Tides should be high enough to flood the grass and give anglers a shot at tailing Redfish. Good dates would be the mornings of October 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16th and afternoons of October 22 and 23rd. Then the mornings of October 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31st would be good. Fishing out of The Anglers Mark, we'll plan to ease up to the flooded grass and get out and wade to tailing fish.
25th Annual Backwater Tournament:
The Nassau Sport Fishing Association will be holding their 25th Annual Backwater Tournament Saturday November 12th. The Captains meeting will be held at Tiger Point Marina on Friday, November 11th at 6:30pm. Checkout on Saturday will be at 6:00am. Weigh in will be at Tiger Point Marina and the weigh in line opens at 3:30pm and closes at 4:30pm. Awards dinner will be Saturday, November 12th at 7:00pm.
There will be three prize categories with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each. The categories are Largest Flounder, an Aggregate of 3 Trout and a Slam of Redfish, Trout and Flounder. There is also a youth tournament for kids 16yrs and under. For more information call Allen Mills at 904-261-9481 or visit the NSFA website.
The Anglers Mark Videos a Huge Success!
Amelia Island Redfish Fishing Action
Last month's video was well received judging on how many viewed it. My wife says its because they're "real" and not produced. You can tell by this month's video that I'm not a pro at running a video camera and I usually rely on one of my guests to take over while I net and dehook the fish. Never the less, they're fun to view afterwards and enjoy the excitement all over again!
Capt. Lawrence Piper
The Anglers Mark
Amelia Island, Florida
904-557-1027
lwpiper@comcast.net
theanglersmark.com
Monday, October 03, 2011
Sarasota Bay Fishing Report 10-3-2011
Rick Grassett’s Sarasota Fishing Report
9/30/2011
Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and redfish during the past week. The best action was on deep grass flats where blues and trout fed in glass minnow schools. Reds in the low 20” range were scattered on shallow grass flats and along bars.
We were met with lightning and sloppy sea conditions on Monday morning, so we rescheduled our trip into the coastal gulf for little tunny and Spanish mackerel. Aledia Tush, owner of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, and Melissa Littlewood, both from Sarasota, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday. They caught and released trout to 18” and blues to 3-pounds on CAL jigs with shad tails at Stephens Point. Melissa connected with a nice red in skinny water on a weedless rigged CAL shad tail near Buttonwood Harbor.
Steve Partain, from Atlanta, and his son Chris Partain, from OK, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday. The action was slow to start due to a slack tide but as the water started to move the action got hot! They caught and released numerous trout to 19”, blues to 4-pounds and a Spanish mackerel at Stephens Point and near Whale Key on top water plugs, DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails. Chris also caught a red on a weedless-rigged CAL shad tail along a bar on the east side of the bay.
Ray Miles, from NY, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday morning. He caught and released trout and ladyfish at Stephens Point and near Whale Key on CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos and top water plugs. He also caught a red in skinny water on a weedless rigged CAL shad tail.
Outgoing tides in the morning this weekend should be good! Action should continue to get better in both shallow water and in the coastal gulf as water cools. Mornings are still fishing better than afternoons due to afternoon heat.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Chris Partain , from OK, and his dad, Steve Partain from Atlanta, GA, with a Sarasota Bay bluefish double caught while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Ray Miles, from NY, caught this red on a weedless rigged CAL shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
9/30/2011
Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and redfish during the past week. The best action was on deep grass flats where blues and trout fed in glass minnow schools. Reds in the low 20” range were scattered on shallow grass flats and along bars.
We were met with lightning and sloppy sea conditions on Monday morning, so we rescheduled our trip into the coastal gulf for little tunny and Spanish mackerel. Aledia Tush, owner of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, and Melissa Littlewood, both from Sarasota, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday. They caught and released trout to 18” and blues to 3-pounds on CAL jigs with shad tails at Stephens Point. Melissa connected with a nice red in skinny water on a weedless rigged CAL shad tail near Buttonwood Harbor.
Steve Partain, from Atlanta, and his son Chris Partain, from OK, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday. The action was slow to start due to a slack tide but as the water started to move the action got hot! They caught and released numerous trout to 19”, blues to 4-pounds and a Spanish mackerel at Stephens Point and near Whale Key on top water plugs, DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails. Chris also caught a red on a weedless-rigged CAL shad tail along a bar on the east side of the bay.
Ray Miles, from NY, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday morning. He caught and released trout and ladyfish at Stephens Point and near Whale Key on CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos and top water plugs. He also caught a red in skinny water on a weedless rigged CAL shad tail.
Outgoing tides in the morning this weekend should be good! Action should continue to get better in both shallow water and in the coastal gulf as water cools. Mornings are still fishing better than afternoons due to afternoon heat.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Chris Partain , from OK, and his dad, Steve Partain from Atlanta, GA, with a Sarasota Bay bluefish double caught while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Ray Miles, from NY, caught this red on a weedless rigged CAL shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.