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Sarasota Bay Is Still Producing

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Rick Grassett.

Sarasota Bay continues to produce catch-and-release trout, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish on the deep grass flats. Anglers fishing New Pass and Big Pass with me this week found plenty of action with bluefish and large ladyfish. Fishing also has been good in the Terra Ceia Bay area for trout, reds and snook in backcountry potholes.

Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me earlier this week on the Snook Fin-Addict out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key had fast action in Big Pass with bluefish to 3 pounds caught on jigs and topwater plugs before being released.

Fly anglers fishing Little Sarasota Bay near Blackburn Point on another trip with me scored on trout and ladyfish on Ultra Hair Clouser flies fished on sink-tip fly lines. The next day, they caught and released Spanish mackerel at the Silvertooth Reef off Lido Key on the same flies. A trip in the Terra Ceia Bay area produced trout, redfish and snook in potholes on jigs.

A bonus came in the form of a legal (24 inches and 7 pounds) gag grouper caught while poling my boat in 1 1/2 feet of water. I spotted a wake in the shallow water, and glass minnows were scattering, so I instructed my angler to cast to the spot. The fish hit hard, screamed off 50 feet of line and buried in thick grass. When we dug the fish out, it took off again. A good-sized grouper came to the boat a few minutes later. The flat drops off sharply to hard bottom, which is why the grouper was there. Although it was a surprise, I had caught a legal-sized grouper on a fly in the same general area several years ago.

Because the water has cooled following Monday's front, fish may be found in potholes or on deep grass flats. Fishing may be better in the afternoon after the sun has warmed the water a few degrees.

Call captain Rick Grassett at (941) 923-7799 or visit www.flyfishingflorida.net or www.snookfin-addict.com.

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