TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Redfish Are Scattered In Sarasota, Charlotte

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 1, 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 .

Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key had good action with redfish, snook, trout and bluefish on my last several trips. Reds are schooling on the flats of north Sarasota Bay and in Gasparilla Sound in Charlotte Harbor. The deep grass flats in Sarasota Bay have been holding a good mix of trout, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish. Baitfish of all sizes are plentiful, and predators have been feeding on the schools.
Snook have been picky around lighted docks and bridge fenders before dawn. We have had the best luck making delicate presentations along shadow lines with small white flies. Docks near Sarasota's Big Pass and on the north end of Siesta Key have been holding fish, and when the tide is moving they are feeding on a variety of baitfish and small shrimp. The last couple of trips have resulted in several snook in the mid-20-inch size range.

Deep grass flats at Stephens Point on the east side of Sarasota Bay and near Buttonwood Harbor on the west side have been the most productive for trout and bluefish. We have had good success with a variety of flies, jigs and plastic shrimp under a 'clacker' float.

Schools of redfish have been roaming the grass flats in Gasparilla Sound and north Sarasota Bay. Sometimes they'll find you, rather than you finding them, if you are fishing an area they frequent. We've been successful casting topwater plugs around the edges of schools. There also are plenty of reds scattered along sand bars and mangrove shorelines.

Although it's nice to find a large school of reds, you will sometimes only get one or two shots at them before they disappear. When fishing reds that are scattered, if you spook them you will have other opportunities. We've been successful sight casting to scattered reds with flies, jigs and weedless-rigged plastic baits.

The best options will continue to be redfish on the shallow grass flats of Sarasota Bay and Gasparilla Sound and trout and bluefish on the deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Look for bait schools and surface activity to find the action.

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT