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Sarasota's Big Pass Has Variety

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2008

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 Sarasota Bay with me recently on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released bluefish in Big Pass and trout on deep grass flats on flies. Action in Big Pass has been steady with bluefish, large ladyfish and scattered pompano and Spanish mackerel.
Diamond jigs or jigs with long shank hooks and plastic tails have been working best for anglers using spinning tackle. Fly anglers have done well using weighted flies tied with synthetic materials on intermediate (slow) sinking or sink-tip fly lines.

Other guides based out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters reported a variety of action. Captain Jim Klopfer of Adventure Charters reported catching Spanish mackerel, pompano, bluefish and ladyfish on jigs with gold grubs off the point at south Lido Park.

When the tide slowed, he moved to a rocky area near the mouth of the pass and caught sheepshead to 4 pounds, small mangrove snapper, gag and red grouper and black sea bass on live shrimp. He also fished Phillippi Creek and Siesta Key canals where his clients caught jacks to 5 pounds, black drum and redfish to 4 pounds and sheepshead to 3 pounds on live shrimp free lined with a small split shot around docks and oyster bars.

Captain Ed Hurst of the Reel Freedom reported catching reds around oyster bars and pompano and trout on deeper grass flats on flies in Little Sarasota Bay north of Blackburn Point. Captain Roy String of the Fishin' Addiction reported catching redfish and sheepshead on docks south of Blackburn Point with live shrimp and pompano on jigs with gold grubs in Big Pass and at the Radio Tower flat.

Anglers should be aware that snook season remains closed. Under the current regulations, which took effect last fall, snook season will reopen March 1.

Tides are favorable for reds and trout in potholes on morning low tides or fishing the passes or deep grass flats for bluefish, pompano and Spanish mackerel for the next few days.

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

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