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Trout Fishing Picking Up In Sarasota Bay

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2007

Updated: 10/06/2007 10:12 pm

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.

Trout have been making a strong comeback in Sarasota Bay recently. An angler fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, last week caught and released more than 20 trout to 22 inches on plastic shrimp under a 'clacker' float and top water plugs.

In addition, we also caught bluefish to 3 pounds and lots of juvenile gag grouper. The best action was on deep grass flats inside Big Pass and near Buttonwood Harbor. There have also been several schools of reds roaming the bay near Long Bar, but they have been very spooky, often staying in deeper water because of fishing pressure.

On Friday, I was the guest of a Tampa Bay guide, captain Bryon Chamberlin, on his flats skiff. We caught and released numerous trout on the flats between Fort DeSoto Park and Tarpon Key with Clouser and Estaz Marabou flies fished on sink tip fly lines.

Captain Jim Klopfer, also out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters, reported catching trout to 20 inches, jacks and ladyfish in Little Sarasota Bay between Stickney Point and Midnight Pass on live shrimp under popping corks, plugs and soft plastic baits. In addition, he has been catching mangrove snapper on live shrimp along the dropoffs of the ICW channel in the same area.

It appears that the fall run of migratory species may also be starting. Baitfish of all sizes are plentiful in the coastal waters off Sarasota. Little tunny, bluefish and Spanish mackerel have been blasting bait schools, and sharks and tarpon have also been joining in the fray.

I look for this action to continue and even get better as the bay and coastal waters cool.

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

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