NAPLES-MARCO ISLAND OFFSHORE FISHING REPORT:
AFTER PERSONALLY FISHING OFFSHORE THE PAST TWO WEEKS, I WANTED TO SHARE MY RESULTS.
1) LAST WEEK, WE BOTTOM-BOUNCED 2 OZ CHROME "CRIPPLED HERRING" AND "KANDLEFISH" METAL JIGS OVER HARD STRUCTURE, WHILE SLOW-DRIFTING IN 57 FEET OF WATER. OUR BOAT QUICKLY LIMITED-OUT WITH OVER-SIZED RED GROUPER AND LANE SNAPPER ALONG WITH NUMEROUS LEGAL GROUPER THROW-BACKS. TECHNIQUE...TIP WITH SQUID, OR CUTBAIT, AND CONSTANTLY BOUNCE THE "CRIPPLED HERRINGS" AGAINST ROUGH BOTTOM. STRIKES ARE NORMALLY SAVAGE. RELOCATE TO HARD BOTTOM IF THE GROUPER AND SNAPPER ARE REPLACED WITH SAND PERCH.
2) YESTERDAY, THE WIND WAS UP SO WE ANCHORED OVER THE SAME BOTTOM THAT WE DRIFTED THE PREVIOUS WEEK. 1 OZ GOLD "CRIPPLED HERRING" JIGS, TIPPED WITH SHRIMP PIECES, PRODUCED A LIMIT OF RED GROUPER RANGING FROM 24-30 INCHES. I FISHED SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH A FRIEND JIGGING A 1 OZ GOLD
"CRIPPLED HERRING" WHILE I FISHED A DIFFERENT FINISH. BESIDES CATCHING THE LARGEST GROUPER, HE CAUGHT ALL 7 MUTTON SNAPPER AND THE LARGEST LANE AND MANGROVE SNAPPER. INTERESTINGLY, I CAUGHT ALL OF THE TRIGGERFISH ON MY PARTICULAR "CRIPPLED HERRING" FINISH (GREEN & PEARL WHITE). THE TRIGGERFISH WERE ALL LARGE SIZE AS WITH THE SIZE OF THE LANE SNAPPER...BEST GRADE WE HAVE SEEN IN AT LEAST FOUR YEARS. REASON...PROBABLY LACK OF RED TIDE AND MINIMAL FISHING PRESSURE.
AS A GUIDE, FOR MANY OF MY 70 YEARS, MANY OF MY PREVIOUS BAIT-ONLY CLIENTS HAVE SWITCHED TO LUHR JENSEN "CRIPPLED HERRINGS" AND YELLOWBIRD "KANDLEFISH". THESE METAL JIGS PROVOKE HARDER STRIKES, AND OFTENTIMES LARGER FISH, VS "BAIT-DUNKING".
BEST HOLIDAY WISHES,
PETE
Captain Pete's Bait & Tackle
239-643-4466
550 Port O Call Way
Naples, FL 34102
Friday, December 07, 2007
Florida Panhandle Fishing Report 12-6-07
Report for 12-06-2007
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
The reports still have Grouper moving in some and hitting around the 120’ mark. Big cuts of Bonita and butter flied whole Northern Mackerel were working well on 80lb fluorocarbon with 10/0 size circle hooks on a Carolina rig.
Jigging will also bring in the fish using either the fairwaters 8oz or the Braid slammer jig.
The Amberjack continue to bite around the deeper wrecks hitting jigs such as the AJ glow jig or Cigar Minnows.
ST JOSEPH BAY
Jigging will also bring in the fish using either the fairwaters 8oz or the Braid slammer jig.
The Amberjack continue to bite around the deeper wrecks hitting jigs such as the AJ glow jig or Cigar Minnows.
ST JOSEPH BAY
No change here this week as the Gulf canal fishing is steady. Anglers are using live shrimp on a 3/8 or 1/4 oz jig head. The PSJ Marina anglers are also using live shrimp on jig heads.
The best artificial baits in no particular order as follows; white 3” Gulp shrimp, clear or root-beer colored DOA shrimp in either ¼ oz. or ½ oz. and of course the old standby a ¼ oz red head jig fixed with a Mann’s white curly tail grub.
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY SALT WATER
The best artificial baits in no particular order as follows; white 3” Gulp shrimp, clear or root-beer colored DOA shrimp in either ¼ oz. or ½ oz. and of course the old standby a ¼ oz red head jig fixed with a Mann’s white curly tail grub.
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY SALT WATER
Some nice slot Redfish are being caught in Indian Pass. Use live shrimp or for artificial use "Gulp" soft baits or Gotcha grubs. A Sinking or suspending Mirrolure is working in the afternoon.
Trout are moving into the bayous like Big Bayou. Fish the deeper parts of the bayou and use live shrimp or DOA’s.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Trout are moving into the bayous like Big Bayou. Fish the deeper parts of the bayou and use live shrimp or DOA’s.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Snapper season is closed. For catch and release of these fish, try to stay in 60 feet of water or less to help insure a better mortality rate.
King Mackerel can be caught on hard bottom areas well offshore. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a Stretch 25 or large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz’s of lead for bigger Kings.
Grouper are being caught in shallower water. Scamp are being caught within 5 miles of the beach. Lots of Red Grouper can be caught within 10 miles over hard bottom areas. Live bait, whole Boston Mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet.
Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live Cigar Minnows or Pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites.
Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bonita are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
King Mackerel can be caught on hard bottom areas well offshore. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a Stretch 25 or large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz’s of lead for bigger Kings.
Grouper are being caught in shallower water. Scamp are being caught within 5 miles of the beach. Lots of Red Grouper can be caught within 10 miles over hard bottom areas. Live bait, whole Boston Mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet.
Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live Cigar Minnows or Pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites.
Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bonita are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Mangrove Snappers are all over the jetties right now. They are easy to catch and great to eat. Use live shrimp with light weight and small hooks for best results.
The Flounder bite has been great. Best reports are coming from close to shore structure in up to 75 feet of water. Also, try Deep Water Point in the state park. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use a 3/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors.
The Trout bite is very good as many have started to move into the creeks, marinas, and intercostals waterway. The cooler water temperatures will push these fish into deep holes in these areas. Not much is better than live shrimp worked slowly on the bottom with a jighead or Carolina rig.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and cut bait are working well.
DESTIN
The Flounder bite has been great. Best reports are coming from close to shore structure in up to 75 feet of water. Also, try Deep Water Point in the state park. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use a 3/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors.
The Trout bite is very good as many have started to move into the creeks, marinas, and intercostals waterway. The cooler water temperatures will push these fish into deep holes in these areas. Not much is better than live shrimp worked slowly on the bottom with a jighead or Carolina rig.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and cut bait are working well.
DESTIN
Fishing from the pier has been ok this week. Plenty of Bonito are being caught on white jigs. There are a few Flounder on Berkley Gulps and Bull Minnows. There are good numbers of Blues and a few Reds mostly over sized and an occasional Pompano on Shrimp or Sand Fleas.
On the jetties there are good numbers of Sheepshead on live Shrimp. The Reds are good on the tide change along with some Blues. There are some days that a few keeper Grouper have been caught around the rocks.
In the Bay, the Trout both Specks and White Trout have been good around the 331 bridge and the sound. White Trout are also around the Cinco Bridge and the Shalimar Bridge. Flounder gigging is still ok as many of the Flounder have still not left the Bay area.
In the Gulf there is a good bite of Amberjack and few Groupers near the edge. Flounder are on most of the inshore structures but there have not been many near the pass area. Farther out the Tuna bite is still very good near the rigs but expect the Tuna to move to the lumps soon.
NAVARRE
On the jetties there are good numbers of Sheepshead on live Shrimp. The Reds are good on the tide change along with some Blues. There are some days that a few keeper Grouper have been caught around the rocks.
In the Bay, the Trout both Specks and White Trout have been good around the 331 bridge and the sound. White Trout are also around the Cinco Bridge and the Shalimar Bridge. Flounder gigging is still ok as many of the Flounder have still not left the Bay area.
In the Gulf there is a good bite of Amberjack and few Groupers near the edge. Flounder are on most of the inshore structures but there have not been many near the pass area. Farther out the Tuna bite is still very good near the rigs but expect the Tuna to move to the lumps soon.
NAVARRE
This week has been devoted to a gathering of Redfish in East Bay near the entrance to East River. A few of us fished the area near the river mouth and further up the bay around Dean Creek. Six Reds were caught and released within a 2 hour period. Even though we did not have time to fish the other creek entrances I think that the Reds should be there. The Reds were hitting Gold Spoons and one was caught using a Berkley Gulp shrimp in the new penny color.
Chris McBryer, fishing in the Escambia River near Jims Fish Camp, caught a Hybrid Bass weighing 12 lbs along with Redfish and Trout. He was using live shrimp for bait and was free lining it.
Sheepshead are around nearly any structure and are being caught using small live shrimp with #6 hooks.
Fresh Water
The Stripers and Hybrid Bass are starting to move into the intercostals and can be caught using Silver Grubs on a ¼ oz. jig head, live shrimp on a jig head, or Rattletraps. Look for these fish on an incoming tide behind structure. A strong current is best for these aggressive fighters.
Chris McBryer, fishing in the Escambia River near Jims Fish Camp, caught a Hybrid Bass weighing 12 lbs along with Redfish and Trout. He was using live shrimp for bait and was free lining it.
Sheepshead are around nearly any structure and are being caught using small live shrimp with #6 hooks.
Fresh Water
The Stripers and Hybrid Bass are starting to move into the intercostals and can be caught using Silver Grubs on a ¼ oz. jig head, live shrimp on a jig head, or Rattletraps. Look for these fish on an incoming tide behind structure. A strong current is best for these aggressive fighters.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard. Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association. Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.
Winter Saltwater Fishing Tactics
Tampa Bay Fishing Report: December 2007
A warm November did slightly prolong our Snook season as some fish were still holding on spoil islands and even on the beaches until mid month. As December rolls in though, there will be no escaping the cold so if you are intent on catching a Snook, head back into the bayous, residential canals or up a nearby river to find fish that will bite as inter-coastal water temperatures continue to drop. Live bait and slowly retrieved artificials will be most effective at getting the job done. The best day to catch a Snook in the cooler months will be the last day of a warming trend right before the next front comes through.
If you’re more interested in catching volumes of fish, it’s time to target trout. Our fantastic winter trout fishery is just beginning as some 20 inch plus fish have started to show on local flats and spoils. These “early season” trout are typically aggressive and respond well to jigs and even top water plugs on some days. With jigs, swim or bounce them across the bottom just above the grass. Top waters should be fished with the “walk the dog” retrieve…twitching the bait back and forth on the surface. Suspend plugs are also effective this time of year when fished with the same twitch type retrieve. On the live bait front, there’s probably no better bait than a nice select shrimp under a bobber, but whitebait, pinfish, and grass grunts all work well for larger trout…and yes, there is still whitebait out there.
Redfish are present through the winter and provide a nice alternative to the trout fishing. Legal fish are around but finding the big bruisers that we catch spring though fall is more difficult. Isolated pockets of bigger fish can be located on certain grass flats and docks, but the bulk of the winter fish are 15 to 20 inches. On the bright side, these fish will often school up in big numbers and can provide consistent action. Shrimp will catch these fish all day long as will a new penny colored “Gulp” shrimp. In certain locations, these reds will mix with the trout, making for some good “one stop” fishing.
The near shore “bonanza” that we had going for the last six weeks on the big Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish and Bonita seems to be settling down a bit. Although bait is still off the beaches, the predators have thinned out, with one interesting exception. Some kingfish are still holding as close as 150 yards off the beaches. A slow trolled large threadfin seems to be the bait of choice as that’s what they are feeding on. You would expect the Spanish to still be strong in close with all the bait, but they’re here one day for a few hours, then gone. One bite that is picking up now is the silver trout. There are schools of them off the beaches and in other locations so if you have a silver trout spot, give it a try. Although these trout are a little smaller than our winter sea trout, they can be caught in large numbers once a school is located. They’ll readily eat shrimp and small jigs. So get out there with the family and catch a bunch of fish.
Good luck.
Captain Stewart Ames
© 2007 Captain Stewart Ames,
Gone Fishing Charters, Tampa, FL
727-421-5291
A warm November did slightly prolong our Snook season as some fish were still holding on spoil islands and even on the beaches until mid month. As December rolls in though, there will be no escaping the cold so if you are intent on catching a Snook, head back into the bayous, residential canals or up a nearby river to find fish that will bite as inter-coastal water temperatures continue to drop. Live bait and slowly retrieved artificials will be most effective at getting the job done. The best day to catch a Snook in the cooler months will be the last day of a warming trend right before the next front comes through.
If you’re more interested in catching volumes of fish, it’s time to target trout. Our fantastic winter trout fishery is just beginning as some 20 inch plus fish have started to show on local flats and spoils. These “early season” trout are typically aggressive and respond well to jigs and even top water plugs on some days. With jigs, swim or bounce them across the bottom just above the grass. Top waters should be fished with the “walk the dog” retrieve…twitching the bait back and forth on the surface. Suspend plugs are also effective this time of year when fished with the same twitch type retrieve. On the live bait front, there’s probably no better bait than a nice select shrimp under a bobber, but whitebait, pinfish, and grass grunts all work well for larger trout…and yes, there is still whitebait out there.
Redfish are present through the winter and provide a nice alternative to the trout fishing. Legal fish are around but finding the big bruisers that we catch spring though fall is more difficult. Isolated pockets of bigger fish can be located on certain grass flats and docks, but the bulk of the winter fish are 15 to 20 inches. On the bright side, these fish will often school up in big numbers and can provide consistent action. Shrimp will catch these fish all day long as will a new penny colored “Gulp” shrimp. In certain locations, these reds will mix with the trout, making for some good “one stop” fishing.
The near shore “bonanza” that we had going for the last six weeks on the big Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish and Bonita seems to be settling down a bit. Although bait is still off the beaches, the predators have thinned out, with one interesting exception. Some kingfish are still holding as close as 150 yards off the beaches. A slow trolled large threadfin seems to be the bait of choice as that’s what they are feeding on. You would expect the Spanish to still be strong in close with all the bait, but they’re here one day for a few hours, then gone. One bite that is picking up now is the silver trout. There are schools of them off the beaches and in other locations so if you have a silver trout spot, give it a try. Although these trout are a little smaller than our winter sea trout, they can be caught in large numbers once a school is located. They’ll readily eat shrimp and small jigs. So get out there with the family and catch a bunch of fish.
Good luck.
Captain Stewart Ames
© 2007 Captain Stewart Ames,
Gone Fishing Charters, Tampa, FL
727-421-5291
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Mosquito Lagoon Hawgwild Fishing
What a day!
The fishing was off the chain today as they say! It was awesome! I lost count but Larry, Ron and Ricky had a blast. The winds were whipping, the skies clear and the fish were chewing! A little cool weather turned them on. Winter can be that way. We got trout, redfish, bluefish, flounder and even a whiting and snook. Book now for December and January! Call 407-405-0819 and book now before the days are gone! I am heading to Ft. Pierce Thursday for some snook action with a couple a good friends. I will give a report when I return. Catch the 'Hawgwild Fishing Show' every Saturday from 6-8 am on ESPN WIXC 1060 Space Coast and WAMT 1190 Olrando! Replayed every Sunday for 6-8 am on ESPN WHOO 1080 Orlando! Listen Live on the neton www.hawgwildradio.comRegister to win the Karma Rod and Quantum Reel at www.iwantmorefish.comTight Lines and Good Fishing!
04 Dec 2007 by Captain David Rogers
Great Weather! Great Fishing!
Now is the time to enjoy the gin clear water of the Mosquito Lagoon. We have been catching some nice redfish and live shrimp seem to be the key. We have manged some fish on artificial, but live bait has been the key. Book now for December and January as the days fill fast. Gift certificates are available and make a great gift. Buy one between now and Dec. 23 and take $25 off any charter. Tight Lines and Good Fishing!NEW PHOTOS! Catch me and Steve every Saturday live from 6-8 am on the on the'HAWGILD FISHING SHOW' on ESPN radio 1060 Space Coast and WAMT 1190 Orlando! Replay every Sunday on ESPN 1080 Orlando from 6-8 am.Click on the station icons on the home page and listen live!
02 Dec 2007 by Captain David Rogers
Captain David Rogers
AAA Hawgwild Saltwater Charters LLC
Host The 'Hawgwild Fishing Show'
O 1080 ESPN WIXC 1060 /WAMT 1180 Satudays 6-8am (407-273-1190) Live call-inESPN WHOSunday 6-8am/ replay -
http://www.hawgwildradio.com/
407-405-0819 Book Charters
http://www.blogger.com/
The fishing was off the chain today as they say! It was awesome! I lost count but Larry, Ron and Ricky had a blast. The winds were whipping, the skies clear and the fish were chewing! A little cool weather turned them on. Winter can be that way. We got trout, redfish, bluefish, flounder and even a whiting and snook. Book now for December and January! Call 407-405-0819 and book now before the days are gone! I am heading to Ft. Pierce Thursday for some snook action with a couple a good friends. I will give a report when I return. Catch the 'Hawgwild Fishing Show' every Saturday from 6-8 am on ESPN WIXC 1060 Space Coast and WAMT 1190 Olrando! Replayed every Sunday for 6-8 am on ESPN WHOO 1080 Orlando! Listen Live on the neton www.hawgwildradio.comRegister to win the Karma Rod and Quantum Reel at www.iwantmorefish.comTight Lines and Good Fishing!
04 Dec 2007 by Captain David Rogers
Great Weather! Great Fishing!
Now is the time to enjoy the gin clear water of the Mosquito Lagoon. We have been catching some nice redfish and live shrimp seem to be the key. We have manged some fish on artificial, but live bait has been the key. Book now for December and January as the days fill fast. Gift certificates are available and make a great gift. Buy one between now and Dec. 23 and take $25 off any charter. Tight Lines and Good Fishing!NEW PHOTOS! Catch me and Steve every Saturday live from 6-8 am on the on the'HAWGILD FISHING SHOW' on ESPN radio 1060 Space Coast and WAMT 1190 Orlando! Replay every Sunday on ESPN 1080 Orlando from 6-8 am.Click on the station icons on the home page and listen live!
02 Dec 2007 by Captain David Rogers
Captain David Rogers
AAA Hawgwild Saltwater Charters LLC
Host The 'Hawgwild Fishing Show'
O 1080 ESPN WIXC 1060 /WAMT 1180 Satudays 6-8am (407-273-1190) Live call-inESPN WHOSunday 6-8am/ replay -
http://www.hawgwildradio.com/
407-405-0819 Book Charters
http://www.blogger.com/
Saltwater Fly Fishing Sarasota Bay 12-07
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Report for 11/25 through 12/4/2007
Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had fast action with trout, Spanish mackerel and bluefish recently. In addition we also caught and released snook, redfish and a legal grouper in skinny water!
Fly anglers, Steve Koerner from CO, and his cousin, Peter Widmann from CA, fished Sarasota Bay and Little Sarasota Bay with me last Wednesday through Friday. They had fast action with trout and ladyfish on deep grass flats. They also caught and released several bluefish and Spanish mackerel and a pair of snook. We fished Ultra Hair Clouser flies at Stephen’s Point, in Big Pass and near Buttonwood Harbor in Sarasota Bay and near Blackburn Point in Little Sarasota Bay. On a couple of days, they caught and released about 30 fish on flies. We snook fished on Thursday evening in the ICW from Blackburn Point to Albee road and only caught one snook. A slow tide was the likely culprit for the slow snook fishing.
Ken Hart, from Winterhaven, FL, and his son, Corbin, fished the Terra Ceia Bay area with me on Saturday. We caught and released numerous trout, a red and a snook on CAL jigs with a variety of plastic tails fishing potholes at the bottom of the tide. The highlight of the trip was the last cast of the day. I was poling a shallow flat at the bottom of the tide in Terra Ceia Bay when some glass minnows scattered and a wake pushed on the edge of the flat. Corbin made a good cast and hooked up to a fish that screamed off about 50 feet of line. It seemed a little strange when the fish buried up in some thick sea grass at the edge of the flat. After freeing the fish and one more run, we were surprised to see a legal (24” & 7-pounds) gag grouper come to the side of the boat. I had also caught a legal grouper at the same spot on a fly several years prior. A nice surprise!
Howard Bensel and his girlfriend, Deb, both from PA, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. We spent most of our time in Big Pass catching and releasing bluefish and large ladyfish on Diamond jigs and MirrOlure Top Dog, Jrs. They caught and released more than 25 fish, mostly blues, before the action finally slowed. We spent the rest of the trip fishing the west side of the bay where they caught and released several trout, ladyfish and a 3-pound bluefish on DOA Deadly combos.
A front pushed through our area on Monday evening, dropping the air temperature into the 50’s. The water temperature will also drop and fish will be on the move for the next couple of days. By the end of the week, temperatures will moderate and the water will warm back up. In the meantime, fishing may be better in the afternoon. Tides will be favorable later in the week and next week for tailing reds in Gasparilla and Pine Island Sounds.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
http://www.flyfishingflorida.net/ and http://www.snookfin-addict.com/
Fly angler Steve Koerner, from CO, caught this nice Spanish mackerel on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Lido Key with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Fly angler Peter Widmann, from CA, caught this nice bluefish on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Ken and Corbin Hart, from Winterhaven, FL, with a 24", 7-pound gag rouper caught in skinny water in Terra Ceia Bay on a CAL curly tail while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had fast action with trout, Spanish mackerel and bluefish recently. In addition we also caught and released snook, redfish and a legal grouper in skinny water!
Fly anglers, Steve Koerner from CO, and his cousin, Peter Widmann from CA, fished Sarasota Bay and Little Sarasota Bay with me last Wednesday through Friday. They had fast action with trout and ladyfish on deep grass flats. They also caught and released several bluefish and Spanish mackerel and a pair of snook. We fished Ultra Hair Clouser flies at Stephen’s Point, in Big Pass and near Buttonwood Harbor in Sarasota Bay and near Blackburn Point in Little Sarasota Bay. On a couple of days, they caught and released about 30 fish on flies. We snook fished on Thursday evening in the ICW from Blackburn Point to Albee road and only caught one snook. A slow tide was the likely culprit for the slow snook fishing.
Ken Hart, from Winterhaven, FL, and his son, Corbin, fished the Terra Ceia Bay area with me on Saturday. We caught and released numerous trout, a red and a snook on CAL jigs with a variety of plastic tails fishing potholes at the bottom of the tide. The highlight of the trip was the last cast of the day. I was poling a shallow flat at the bottom of the tide in Terra Ceia Bay when some glass minnows scattered and a wake pushed on the edge of the flat. Corbin made a good cast and hooked up to a fish that screamed off about 50 feet of line. It seemed a little strange when the fish buried up in some thick sea grass at the edge of the flat. After freeing the fish and one more run, we were surprised to see a legal (24” & 7-pounds) gag grouper come to the side of the boat. I had also caught a legal grouper at the same spot on a fly several years prior. A nice surprise!
Howard Bensel and his girlfriend, Deb, both from PA, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. We spent most of our time in Big Pass catching and releasing bluefish and large ladyfish on Diamond jigs and MirrOlure Top Dog, Jrs. They caught and released more than 25 fish, mostly blues, before the action finally slowed. We spent the rest of the trip fishing the west side of the bay where they caught and released several trout, ladyfish and a 3-pound bluefish on DOA Deadly combos.
A front pushed through our area on Monday evening, dropping the air temperature into the 50’s. The water temperature will also drop and fish will be on the move for the next couple of days. By the end of the week, temperatures will moderate and the water will warm back up. In the meantime, fishing may be better in the afternoon. Tides will be favorable later in the week and next week for tailing reds in Gasparilla and Pine Island Sounds.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
http://www.flyfishingflorida.net/ and http://www.snookfin-addict.com/
Fly angler Steve Koerner, from CO, caught this nice Spanish mackerel on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Lido Key with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Fly angler Peter Widmann, from CA, caught this nice bluefish on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Ken and Corbin Hart, from Winterhaven, FL, with a 24", 7-pound gag rouper caught in skinny water in Terra Ceia Bay on a CAL curly tail while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett.
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