On the water with Capt. Brian Boehm.

Flats & dock light fishing have been steady on Quiet Waters trips run out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. The last cold front made it official – winter is definitely here.  The sea trout bite has been dependable over the past few weeks. Redfish have been in skinny water and snook have been sluggish on cold mornings.

Snook
Snook are not the biggest fans of cold fronts. Their priorities change from finding food to getting warm. On cold mornings on the flats, they’ve been in shallow water trying to warm up. Canals with dark bottom and depth have been holding snook as well. They have been far more active in the afternoons and early in the evening on dock lights. On dock lights, we’re transitioning to smaller flies. Small clousers and glass minnow patterns have been producing.

Redfish
Redfish have been very active in shallow water. We have hooked a few in potholes, but we’ve been hooking most of our redfish in water less than two feet deep. The Aquadream ADL series spoon is producing in shallow water. In potholes, we found success by bouncing soft plastics on jig heads. The MirrODine XL wasn’t a bad option over potholes either.

On the water with Capt. Brian Boehm.

Seatrout
Seatrout of all sizes provide some of the most consistent action in the winter. We’ve found them stacked up in deeper sand holes on cold mornings with low tide. Bouncing a soft plastic off the bottom is more effective than a straight retrieve with cold water temperatures. It’s also wise to shorten up to a shorter soft plastic on cold mornings. Later in the day we’ve been able to target larger fish in shallow water and on the edges of potholes with the MirrOdine XL. A long pause after a few twitches with that plug really seems to drive seatrout crazy.

Looking Ahead
Getting a later start on cooler mornings is a prudent decision this time of year. Having the sun up for a couple hours before you get on the water can make a huge difference. If you’re fishing the flats on low tides, key in on the deep sand holes. They won’t all have fish, but the sand holes that do are usually holding many fish. Targeting small sand spots and the ends or edges of larger holes seem to be producing the biggest fish.

Another key to success on colder days is to slow down your retrieve. If you’re moving your bait too quickly, you’re going to miss a lot of fish. Use an Aquadream spoon to cover water in shallow areas where you suspect redfish are holding. Artificial shrimp worked deep and slowly around docks is an excellent way to target snook right now. Keep your eyes on the wading birds and mullet and spend a little extra time working those areas.

Stay Warm!

Capt. Brian Boehm

Brian, owns and operates Quiet Waters Fishing LLC and runs his trips out of a 17’ Maverick Mirage. He covers water as far north as Tampa Bay and south to the Charlotte Harbor/Boca Grande area. His favorite trips to offer are: back country, shallow flats, night tarpon, & night dock light snook trips.

Flats & dock light fishing have been steady on Quiet Waters trips run out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. The last cold front made it official – winter is definitely here.  The sea trout bite has been dependable over the past few weeks. Redfish have been in skinny water and snook have been sluggish on cold mornings.

Snook
Snook are not the biggest fans of cold fronts. Their priorities change from finding food to getting warm. On cold mornings on the flats, they’ve been in shallow water trying to warm up. Canals with dark bottom and depth have been holding snook as well. They have been far more active in the afternoons and early in the evening on dock lights. On dock lights, we’re transitioning to smaller flies. Small clousers and glass minnow patterns have been producing.

Redfish
Redfish have been very active in shallow water. We have hooked a few in potholes, but we’ve been hooking most of our redfish in water less than two feet deep. The Aquadream ADL series spoon is producing in shallow water. In potholes, we found success by bouncing soft plastics on jig heads. The MirrODine XL wasn’t a bad option over potholes either.

Seatrout
Seatrout of all sizes provide some of the most consistent action in the winter. We’ve found them stacked up in deeper sand holes on cold mornings with low tide. Bouncing a soft plastic off the bottom is more effective than a straight retrieve with cold water temperatures. It’s also wise to shorten up to a shorter soft plastic on cold mornings. Later in the day we’ve been able to target larger fish in shallow water and on the edges of potholes with the MirrOdine XL. A long pause after a few twitches with that plug really seems to drive seatrout crazy.

Looking Ahead
Getting a later start on cooler mornings is a prudent decision this time of year. Having the sun up for a couple hours before you get on the water can make a huge difference. If you’re fishing the flats on low tides, key in on the deep sand holes. They won’t all have fish, but the sand holes that do are usually holding many fish. Targeting small sand spots and the ends or edges of larger holes seem to be producing the biggest fish.

Another key to success on colder days is to slow down your retrieve. If you’re moving your bait too quickly, you’re going to miss a lot of fish. Use an Aquadream spoon to cover water in shallow areas where you suspect redfish are holding. Artificial shrimp worked deep and slowly around docks is an excellent way to target snook right now. Keep your eyes on the wading birds and mullet and spend a little extra time working those areas.

Stay Warm!

Capt. Brian Boehm

Brian, owns and operates Quiet Waters Fishing LLC and runs his trips out of a 17’ Maverick Mirage. He covers water as far north as Tampa Bay and south to the Charlotte Harbor/Boca Grande area. His favorite trips to offer are: back country, shallow flats, night tarpon, & night dock light snook trips.

This just kind of makes your day!

Inshore fishing has been excellent on Quiet Waters charters run out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters in Sarasota, FL. The morning topwater bite continues to produce snook and plenty of trout. Plug fishing in general has been a great way to target larger fish. Night dock light fishing has been steady. Water temperatures continue to dip as we head towards winter.

Snook
Most snook are on the move to warmer water, though we’re still seeing a fair amount in and around the passes. Anglers were still finding snook in the surf over the last week. On the flats, larger snook could be found around mangrove islands, oyster bars, and relating to other structure on the flats. Top water plugs like the Heddon Super Spook and Super Spook Jr. were excellent options in the morning. Subsurface plugs like the MirrOlure Mirrodine XL worked well throughout the day.

Fishing dock lights at night continues to provide consistent action for fly and light tackle anglers. Snook are thinning out in areas near passes and close to Gulf access. More and more snook are showing up in dark bottomed canals and brackish rivers and creeks. If you’re fly fishing, begin transitioning to smaller flies on dock lights. Small lipped plugs and shrimp imitations are still working well on dock light snook.

On the water with Capt. Brian Boehm.

Redfish
Redfish have been very active with the cooler water temperatures. Potholes near transition zones have been an excellent place to find them. Creek mouths near mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and shallow coves have been good places to fish when conditions are right.

Jigs rigged with larger paddle tails and grub tails worked well on redfish. The Aquadream ADL series spoon is an excellent choice this time of year. Redfish took topwater plugs eagerly on a few mornings. Anglers should be able to regularly target reds farther up in brackish rivers now. The shallow water of the back country is holding plenty of redfish as well.

Seatrout
With cooling water temperatures, seatrout of all sizes were very active for longer periods of the day. If you’re looking to bend the rod, then the deep grass is the place for you. Seatrout on the deep grass are generally not as large as sea trout that you find on the shallow flats, but it’s hard to argue with the consistent action that these fish provide. Larger seatrout can be found in deeper grass, but it’s more common to catch fish in the 12-16” range there. A paddle tail on a jighead will get the job done for anglers looking for action on the deep grass.

The Red is a thing of beauty.

Larger sea trout are making their presence felt on shallow flats and potholes. Water clarity has been excellent, providing many opportunities to sight fish larger seatrout in potholes. If you pay attention, they are not difficult to see over sand.

The best bait for sight fishing these fish was the Mirrodine XL. We had multiple large sea trout roll on our plug on a recent charter. A soft plastic jerkbait is another great option for this style of fishing. Seatrout were highly susceptible to early morning topwater presentations over the last few weeks.

Looking Ahead
The deep grass will continue to provide good action for anglers looking to bend their rods in the Sarasota area. As water temperatures continue to cool, snook will prioritize warmer water areas. Redfish in clear shallow water are great fun. Anglers willing to do some wading are often rewarded this time of year.

See you on the water soon!

Capt. Brian Boehm

Brian, owns and operates Quiet Waters Fishing LLC and runs his trips out of a 17’ Maverick Mirage. He covers water as far north as Tampa Bay and south to the Charlotte Harbor/Boca Grande area. His favorite trips to offer are: back country, shallow flats, night tarpon, & night dock light snook trips.

Inshore fishing has been excellent on Quiet Waters charters run out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters in Sarasota, FL. The morning topwater bite continues to produce snook and plenty of trout. Plug fishing in general has been a great way to target larger fish. Night dock light fishing has been steady. Water temperatures continue to dip as we head towards winter.

Snook
Most snook are on the move to warmer water, though we’re still seeing a fair amount in and around the passes. Anglers were still finding snook in the surf over the last week. On the flats, larger snook could be found around mangrove islands, oyster bars, and relating to other structure on the flats. Top water plugs like the Heddon Super Spook and Super Spook Jr. were excellent options in the morning. Subsurface plugs like the MirrOlure Mirrodine XL worked well throughout the day.

Fishing dock lights at night continues to provide consistent action for fly and light tackle anglers. Snook are thinning out in areas near passes and close to Gulf access. More and more snook are showing up in dark bottomed canals and brackish rivers and creeks. If you’re fly fishing, begin transitioning to smaller flies on dock lights. Small lipped plugs and shrimp imitations are still working well on dock light snook.

Redfish
Redfish have been very active with the cooler water temperatures. Potholes near transition zones have been an excellent place to find them. Creek mouths near mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and shallow coves have been good places to fish when conditions are right.

Jigs rigged with larger paddletails and grub tails worked well on redfish. The Aquadream ADL series spoon is an excellent choice this time of year. Redfish took topwater plugs eagerly on a few mornings. Anglers should be able to regularly target reds farther up in brackish rivers now. The shallow water of the back country is holding plenty of redfish as well.

Seatrout
With cooling water temperatures, seatrout of all sizes were very active for longer periods of the day. If you’re looking to bend the rod, then the deep grass is the place for you. Seatrout on the deep grass are generally not as large as seatrout that you find on the shallow flats, but it’s hard to argue with the consistent action that these fish provide. Larger seatrout can be found in deeper grass, but it’s more common to catch fish in the 12-16” range there. A paddletail on a jighead will get the job done for anglers looking for action on the deep grass.

Larger seatrout are making their presence felt on shallow flats and potholes. Water clarity has been excellent, providing many opportunities to sight fish larger seatrout in potholes. If you pay attention, they are not difficult to see over sand. The best bait for sight fishing these fish was the Mirrodine XL. We had multiple large seatrout roll on our plug on a recent charter. A soft plastic jerk bait is another great option for this style of fishing. Seatrout were highly susceptible to early morning topwater presentations over the last few weeks.

Looking Ahead
The deep grass will continue to provide good action for anglers looking to bend their rods in the Sarasota area. As water temperatures continue to cool, snook will prioritize warmer water areas. Redfish in clear shallow water are great fun. Anglers willing to do some wading are often rewarded this time of year.

See you on the water soon!

Capt. Brian Boehm

Brian, owns and operates Quiet Waters Fishing LLC and runs his trips out of a 17’ Maverick Mirage. He covers water as far north as Tampa Bay and south to the Charlotte Harbor/Boca Grande area. His favorite trips to offer are: back country, shallow flats, night tarpon, & night dock light snook trips.

Greg Stepanski with a false albacore caught and released on a fly while fishing the coastal gulf.

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with trout, Spanish mackerel and blues in Sarasota Bay and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal gulf on flies and DOA Lures recently.

Trevor Harrison, from Rochester, NY, had a great trip catching and releasing numerous Spanish mackerel, trout and bluefish on Clouser flies while fishing Sarasota Bay with me.

Fly and spin anglers also had good action with trout on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails on a couple of other trips in Sarasota Bay with me.

Conditions were near perfect for a change when Greg Stepanski, from Tampa, fished the coastal gulf with me. He had good action catching and releasing several false albacore on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and plugs. We covered a lot of water before we found them late in the trip but it was worth the effort!

Trevor Harrison had good action catching and releasing Spanish mackerel, blues and trout on Clouser flies.

Fish the coastal gulf for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail when conditions are good. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Shallow water action for reds and snook should be good as the water cools.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Out­fit­ter of the Year.

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with trout, Spanish mackerel and blues in Sarasota Bay and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal gulf on flies and DOA Lures recently.

Trevor Harrison, from Rochester, NY, had a great trip catching and releasing numerous Spanish mackerel, trout and bluefish on Clouser flies while fishing Sarasota Bay with me.

Fly and spin anglers also had good action with trout on flies and CAL jigs with shad tails on a couple of other trips in Sarasota Bay with me.

Conditions were near perfect for a change when Greg Stepanski, from Tampa, fished the coastal gulf with me. He had good action catching and releasing several false albacore on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and plugs. We covered a lot of water before we found them late in the trip but it was worth the effort!

Fish the coastal gulf for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail when conditions are good. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Shallow water action for reds and snook should be good as the water cools.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Out­fit­ter of the Year.

The fishing has been ramping up this past week.

Fishing seems to have been ramping up over the past week or so. The Bay fishing has been consistently good with trout, bluefish, and spanish mackerel on the grass flats.

Nearshore has been excellent as well when the weather allows. The mackerel, false albacore, and tripletail have been fun on the surface while bottom fishing has been producing grunt, lane snapper yellowtail snapper, hogfish and steelhead.

One of the safest places to be these days is out on the water. What are you waiting for?

Capt. Capt. Kelly Stilwell

Kelly has lived and fished in this area for over 30 years. His specialties are artificial bait, fly fishing, tarpon, and live bait fishing in Sarasota Bay and the nearshore Gulf. He's an Orvis Endorsed Guide and currently runs a 2400 Ranger Bay boat which accommodates five.

Fishing seems to be ramping up over the past week. The Bay fishing has been consistently good with trout, bluefish, and spanish mackerel on the grass flats.

Nearshore has been excellent as well when the weather allows. The mackerel, false albacore, and tripletail have been fun on the surface while bottom fishing has been producing grunt, lane snapper yellowtail snapper, hogfish and steelhead.

One of the safest places to be these days is out on the water. What are you waiting for?

Capt. Capt. Kelly Stilwell

Kelly has lived and fished in this area for over 30 years. His specialties are artificial bait, fly fishing, tarpon, and live bait fishing in Sarasota Bay and the nearshore Gulf. He's an Orvis Endorsed Guide and currently runs a 2400 Ranger Bay boat which accommodates five.

John Harshman enjoyed an active morning fly fishing.

John Harshman enjoyed an active morning of fly fishing on Sarasota Bay. We fished markers 5 and 7, the Middle Grounds and Ringling Flats. John caught trout, bluefish, ladyfish, and jacks.

Tan and white Clouser deep minnows fished on a clear sink tip fly line produced Trout, Redfish and Snook which are still catch and release only until May of 2021. I would personally like to see the closer extended for another year.

Out on the water is a safe place to be in these crazy time. Be safe and stay healthy.

Capt. Capt. Ed Hurst

Sarasota has been Ed's home since 1956. He's fished these area waters since he was nine years old. From 1995 until the present he's guided anglers exclusively in and around the back­wa­ters of Sarasota Bay. Fly fishing is his passion and he's an Orvis Endorsed Guide.

John Harshman enjoyed an active morning of fly fishing on Sarasota Bay. We fished markers 5 and 7, the Middle Grounds and Ringling Flats. John caught trout, bluefish, ladyfish, and jacks.

John Harshman enjoyed an active morning fly fishing.

Tan and white Clouser deep minnows fished on a clear sink tip fly line produced Trout, Redfish and Snook which are still catch and release only until May of 2021. I would personally like to see the closer extended for another year.

Out on the water is a safe place to be in these crazy times. Stay safe and stay healthy, this to shall pass.

Capt. Capt. Ed Hurst

Sarasota has been Ed's home since 1956. He's fished these area waters since he was nine years old. From 1995 until the present he's guided anglers exclusively in and around the back­wa­ters of Sarasota Bay. Fly fishing is his passion and he's an Orvis Endorsed Guide.

Fishing has been excellent on Quiet Waters fishing charters run out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters in Sarasota, FL. Topwater action for snook, redfish, and seatrout has been excellent. We’re still seeing the occasional juvenile tarpon, but their numbers are definitely beginning to thin out. Wind continues to impact fishing trends. On many trips, wind has played a more important role than the tides.

Snook
Snook in the backcountry have been most active in the morning. Larger profile plugs have produced some large fish. Topwater plugs like the Heddon Super Spook, Super Spook Jr, and the MirrOlure Top Dog have been too much for big snook to ignore. The MirrOlure Catch 2000 and Mirrodine XL have been extremely effective subsurface plugs on snook of all sizes. At night on dock lights, we’re still using smaller artificial shrimp offerings and modest sized rapala slashbaits. Action continues to be best in areas with good current.

Fly fishing for snook has been consistently good. Floating minnow flies have caught some excellent snook. These flies are ideal for sight fishing snook, or beating the bushes on higher tides. Larger EP flies have been the ticket on the flats and near mangrove points where snook have set up feeding lanes. On dock lights, we’re still using the JT clouser with great success for snook. Larger EP flies have worked well on snook.

Redfish
We are still seeing the occasional school of redfish come through in the back country. If you can pull three or more reds out before spooking the school, then you’re doing just fine. We’ve caught our fair share of redfish on topwater early in the morning in the back country. The Heddon Super Spook and MirrOlure Top Dog have been the best producers for reds. The Mirrodine XL has been an effective subsurface plug. Another great option has been working a Cotee Chubby Grub, rigged on a 3/16 ounce jig head, through potholes.

The best flies to use on schools of redfish have been either the floating minnow, or a large EP fly. The key to fishing a school of happy redfish has been to keep the fly in front of them as long as possible. The floating minnow is excellent at staying in the top 12” of the water column. It’s been our go-to on schooling reds. The JT clouser, the Back Country Special, and EP flies have worked better for applications when you’re hunting or sight fishing for reds.

Seatrout
Fishing for seatrout has been steady on both fly and light tackle. If you’re looking to bend the rod, then the deep grass is the place for you. The bite has been very consistent over deep grass. Trout on the deep grass never seem to tire of eating a ¼ ounce jig with a paddle tail. Most fish are modest size, but you will find the occasional seatrout over 20” this way.

In the back country, larger sea trout have been in potholes , around schools of bait, and in feeding lanes created by the wind. If you’re looking to target larger seatrout, the back country is not a bad option. Bouncing a Cotee chubby grub through potholes and in feeding lanes has worked well. The Mirrodine XL plug has been a magnet for larger trout. We’re seeing a tremendous amount of action on topwater plugs. Seatrout of all sizes will take a stab at eating a Heddon Super Spook.

Looking Ahead
As we transition towards winter trends, we’ll see much lower water in the morning. Make sure you know the deepest holes on your favorite flats. We should start seeing more and more snook in brackish creeks and rivers as we move towards December.

Aquadream spoons should provide good action for redfish and snook in shallow water. Topwater plugs are excellent situational tools this time of year, so use them effectively. Nearshore Gulf fishing should continue to be good if you have manageable enough conditions to venture out.

Capt. Brian Boehm

Brian, owns and operates Quiet Waters Fishing LLC and runs his trips out of a 17’ Maverick Mirage. He covers water as far north as Tampa Bay and south to the Charlotte Harbor/Boca Grande area. His favorite trips to offer are: back country, shallow flats, night tarpon, & night dock light snook trips.

Topwater plugs like the Heddon Super Spook, Super Spook Jr, and the MirrOlure Top Dog have been too much for big snook to ignore. The MirrOlure Catch 2000 and Mirrodine XL have been extremely effective subsurface plugs on snook of all sizes. At night on dock lights, we’re still using smaller artificial shrimp offerings and modest sized rapala slashbaits. Action continues to be best in areas with good current.

Fly fishing for snook has been consistently good. Floating minnow flies have caught some excellent snook. These flies are ideal for sight fishing snook, or beating the bushes on higher tides. Larger EP flies have been the ticket on the flats and near mangrove points where snook have set up feeding lanes. On dock lights, we’re still using the JT clouser with great success for snook. Larger EP flies have worked well on snook.

Redfish
We are still seeing the occasional school of redfish come through in the back country. If you can pull three or more reds out before spooking the school, then you’re doing just fine. We’ve caught our fair share of redfish on topwater early in the morning in the back country. The Heddon Super Spook and MirrOlure Top Dog have been the best producers for reds. The Mirrodine XL has been an effective subsurface plug. Another great option has been working a Cotee Chubby Grub, rigged on a 3/16 ounce jig head, through potholes.

The best flies to use on schools of redfish have been either the floating minnow, or a large EP fly. The key to fishing a school of happy redfish has been to keep the fly in front of them as long as possible. The floating minnow is excellent at staying in the top 12” of the water column. It’s been our go-to on schooling reds. The JT clouser, the Back Country Special, and EP flies have worked better for applications when you’re hunting or sight fishing for reds.

Seatrout
Fishing for seatrout has been steady on both fly and light tackle. If you’re looking to bend the rod, then the deep grass is the place for you. The bite has been very consistent over deep grass. Trout on the deep grass never seem to tire of eating a ¼ ounce jig with a paddle tail. Most fish are modest size, but you will find the occasional seatrout over 20” this way.

In the back country, larger sea trout have been in potholes , around schools of bait, and in feeding lanes created by the wind. If you’re looking to target larger seatrout, the back country is not a bad option. Bouncing a Cotee chubby grub through potholes and in feeding lanes has worked well. The Mirrodine XL plug has been a magnet for larger trout. We’re seeing a tremendous amount of action on topwater plugs. Seatrout of all sizes will take a stab at eating a Heddon Super Spook.

Looking Ahead
As we transition towards winter trends, we’ll see much lower water in the morning. Make sure you know the deepest holes on your favorite flats. We should start seeing more and more snook in brackish creeks and rivers as we move towards December.

Aquadream spoons should provide good action for redfish and snook in shallow water. Topwater plugs are excellent situational tools this time of year, so use them effectively. Nearshore Gulf fishing should continue to be good if you have manageable enough conditions to venture out.

Capt. Brian Boehm

Brian, owns and operates Quiet Waters Fishing LLC and runs his trips out of a 17’ Maverick Mirage. He covers water as far north as Tampa Bay and south to the Charlotte Harbor/Boca Grande area. His favorite trips to offer are: back country, shallow flats, night tarpon, & night dock light snook trips.

Cooper’s getting ready for the kids fishing tournament.

After not being on the water for four weeks due to hip surgery I was in good enough shape to take my grandson Cooper out on the boat so he could fish in the team explorer kids fishing tournament.

Cooper is a dedicated fisherman with great concentration. He was able to count trout, grouper, jack crevalle among The many fish he caught during the tournament.

Anyone interested in the Team Explorer Kids Fishing Tournament can call Captain Ron at 941-376-2714 for further information.

Capt. Chuck Cress

Fishing has been a lifetime passion for me. Depending on the skill level of my clients what I like to do is put them on big fish using artificial lures. I like to educating and passing on my knowledge of local history and the many sights the area has to offer while we are on the water.

After not being on the water for four weeks due to hip surgery I was in good enough shape to take my grandson Cooper out on the boat so he could fish in the team explorer kids fishing tournament.

Cooper is a dedicated fisherman with great concentration. He was able to count trout, grouper, jack crevalle among The many fish he caught during the tournament.

Anyone interested in the Team Explorer Kids Fishing Tournament can call Captain Ron at 941-376-2714 for further information.

Capt. Chuck Cress

Fishing has been a lifetime passion for me. Depending on the skill level of my clients what I like to do is put them on big fish using artificial lures. I like to educating and passing on my knowledge of local history and the many sights the area has to offer while we are on the water.

I hosted a group of friends and clients on my annual destination fly fishing trip to southwest Montana this past week. Due to the current situation with the pandemic, it was a smaller group this year but the fishing was good as usual!

Rusty Chinnis, from Longboat Key, and I traveled from Sarasota to Bozeman on Sunday, August 2, and made the 2-1/2 hour drive to Medicine Lodge, on a 100,000 acre working ranch near the Beaverhead River, near Dillon, MT. We met up there with Mike Perez and Dennis Kinley, from IN, who drove out to met us at the lodge.

It was their first time catching saltwater fish such as speckled sea trout, and jack crevalle. They really enjoyed themselves as they learned how to cast. We used chartreuse DOA cal baits with 1/4oz jig heads and live shrimp. It started out to be a trip for the young boys but ended up as a contest between the boys and their dads. Good job dads.

Capt. Capt. Terry Simmons

Terry was born and raised in Bradenton, FL and has been guiding clients since 2000, fishing on Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico with live bait, artificial lures and fly fishing aboard his 22’ Bay Ranger which accommodates up to 4 anglers.

A shop trip turned into smoked fish dip and a healthy workout for one and all. I took Alieda, and Sam, of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters fishing with me recently down in and around Boca Grande, Florida.

November can be one of the best fishing months in these waters because of the natural Snook migration from the beaches back on out to the islands of Bull and Turtle bay.

It’s also the month when migrating Kingfish can be found close to shore. If you’re lucky it’s possible to catch both on the same day.

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

I've been a fishing guide the Sarasota , Boca Grande area for over 25 years. My Sarasota trips are mostly family oriented 1/2 day fishing trips involving kids who love to catch all the family fun fish. My Boca Grande trips are for the more experienced spin or fly fishing angler.

This week, fishing aboard the “Coastal Fishing Adventures” out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. Early in the week I fished the “Darrell Williams” group. We fished the deep grass flats and shorelines on the outgoing low tide and caught small trout ladyfish, bluefish, jack crevalle and spanish mackerel using live shrimp and DOA cal baits with white 3/8oz jig heads.

Mid week I fished the “Josh Wise” group. Because of the approaching cold front it was one of those tough mornings when the fish didn’t turn on till until the beginning of the tide towards the end.

They had a fun day catching their first saltwater fish. They caught jack crevalle, small speckled sea trout, ladyfish and small bonnethead shark. Later in the week I chartered the “Toni Rosati” group. It was a very windy northwest wind. We started out early in north Sarasota bay before it got real windy.

We started working on the windward side of a grass flat and sandbar. It was one of those magical mornings we all look for. From the beginning they caught several large and small speckled sea trout, jack crevalle, spanish mackerel, black sea bass, ladyfish and small grouper all on DOA cal baits with a 1/4 and 3/8oz white jig heads.

After about two hours into the trip it got really windy so we moved to the lee side of an island and continued until the end of the trip.

Capt. Capt. Terry Simmons

Terry was born and raised in Bradenton, FL and has been guiding clients since 2000, fishing on Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico with live bait, artificial lures and fly fishing aboard his 22’ Bay Ranger which accommodates up to 4 anglers.

They had a fun day catching their first saltwater fish. They caught jack crevalle, small speckled sea trout, ladyfish and small bonnethead shark. Later in the week I chartered the “Toni Rosati” group. It was a very windy northwest wind. We started out early in north Sarasota bay before it got real windy.

We started working on the windward side of a grass flat and sandbar. It was one of those magical mornings we all look for. From the beginning they caught several large and small speckled sea trout, jack crevalle, spanish mackerel, black sea bass, ladyfish and small grouper all on DOA cal baits with a 1/4 and 3/8oz white jig heads. After about two hours into the trip it got really windy so we moved to the lee side of an island and continued until the end of the trip.

Capt. Capt. Terry Simmons

Terry was born and raised in Bradenton, FL and has been guiding clients since 2000, fishing on Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico with live bait, artificial lures and fly fishing aboard his 22’ Bay Ranger which accommodates up to 4 anglers.

On the water with Capt. Kelly Stilwell.

Anglers aboard the Tide Tuit have been finding some great action. The catch and release trout fishing has been very good. On the grass flats we’ve also been catching Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, gag grouper, small sharks, and Spanish Mackeral.

The nearshore gulf has also been very busy with Spanish and King Mackeral, as well as False Albacore, and some larger Sharks.

Capt. Capt. Kelly Stilwell

Kelly has lived and fished in this area for over 30 years. His specialties are artificial bait, fly fishing, tarpon, and live bait fishing in Sarasota Bay and the nearshore Gulf. He's an Orvis Endorsed Guide and currently runs a 2400 Ranger Bay boat which accommodates five.

On the water with Capt. Kelly Stilwell.

Anglers aboard the Tide Tuit have been finding some great action. The catch and release trout fishing has been very good. On the grass flats we’ve also been catching Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, gag grouper, small sharks, and Spanish Mackeral.

The nearshore gulf has also been very busy with Spanish and King Mackeral, as well as False Albacore, and some larger Sharks.

Capt. Capt. Kelly Stilwell

Kelly has lived and fished in this area for over 30 years. His specialties are artificial bait, fly fishing, tarpon, and live bait fishing in Sarasota Bay and the nearshore Gulf. He's an Orvis Endorsed Guide and currently runs a 2400 Ranger Bay boat which accommodates five.

Jon Yenari, from Sarasota, with a red he caught and released on a CAL Shad while fishing Gasparilla Sound with Capt. Rick Grassett recently.

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with snook on DOA Lures in Gasparilla Sound recently. Jon Yenari and Kyle Ruffing, both from Sarasota, caught and released numerous snook to 30”, trout and a red on CAL shad tails while fishing that area with me. Fly anglers also had some action with false albacore and tripletail in the coastal gulf on another recent trip.

Fish the coastal gulf for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail when conditions are good. Shallow water action for reds and snook should turn on as the water cools.

Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Out­fit­ter of the Year.

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with snook on DOA Lures in Gasparilla Sound recently. Jon Yenari and Kyle Ruffing, both from Sarasota, caught and released numerous snook to 30”, trout and a red on CAL shad tails while fishing that area with me. Fly anglers also had some action with false albacore and tripletail in the coastal gulf on another recent trip.

Jon Yenari, from Sarasota, with a red he caught and released on a CAL Shad while fishing Gasparilla Sound with Capt. Grassett recently.

Fish the coastal gulf for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail when conditions are good. Shallow water action for reds and snook should turn on as the water cools.

Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Out­fit­ter of the Year.

Denny Clohisy with a trout he caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay.

Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with trout, blues, tripletail and more on flies and DOA Lures recently. Spin fishing anglers caught and released trout, blues and jacks on CAL jigs with a variety of tails and DOA Deadly Combos while fly anglers scored with a Clouser fly fished on a sink tip fly line on several trips recently.

With stone crab traps in the water, tripletail are starting to show up. Spin fishing anglers also caught and released a couple of small tripletail in the coastal gulf on DOA Shrimp.

Fish the coastal gulf for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail when conditions are good. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Shallow water action for reds and snook should turn on as the water cools. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Out­fit­ter of the Year.

Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with trout, blues, tripletail and more on flies and DOA Lures recently. Spin fishing anglers caught and released trout, blues and jacks on CAL jigs with a variety of tails and DOA Deadly Combos while fly anglers scored with a Clouser fly fished on a sink tip fly line on several trips recently.

Denny Clohisy, from CA, with a trout caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett recently.

With stone crab traps in the water, tripletail are starting to show up. Spin fishing anglers also caught and released a couple of small tripletail in the coastal gulf on DOA Shrimp.

Fish the coastal gulf for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail when conditions are good. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Shallow water action for reds and snook should turn on as the water cools. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Out­fit­ter of the Year.

These two were certainly having a great time out on the water with Capt. Brandon Naeve this past week.

Hi this is Capt Brandon with a message on how things in the Sarasota/Boca Grande area are doing as we struggle to get through this Covid-19 pandemic. The beaches are not normally very busy this time of year, and accommodations are easy to find.

It was somewhat windy this past week but we stayed on the leeward side out of the wind. The temperatures and the humidity were lower which made for a very comfortable outing. The fishing has been great and October and November continue to be two of the best months for Snook fishing and catching all the other inshore fish breeds.

I’m looking forward to this weeks fishing action and attending the Coastal Conservation Association banquet at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Sarasota.

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

I've been a fishing guide the Sarasota , Boca Grande area for over 25 years. My Sarasota trips are mostly family oriented 1/2 day fishing trips involving kids who love to catch all the family fun fish. My Boca Grande trips are for the more experienced spin or fly fishing angler.

These two were certainly having a great time out on the water with Capt. Naeve this past week.

Hi this is Capt Brandon with a message on how things in the Sarasota/Boca Grande area are doing as we struggle to get through this Covid-19 pandemic. The beaches are not normally very busy this time of year, and accommodations are easy to find.

It was somewhat windy this past week but we stayed on the leeward side out of the wind. The temperatures and the humidity were lower which made for a very comfortable outing. The fishing has been great and October and November continue to be two of the best months for Snook fishing and catching all the other inshore fish breeds.

I’m looking forward to this weeks fishing action and attending the Coastal Conservation Association banquet at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Sarasota.

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

I've been a fishing guide the Sarasota , Boca Grande area for over 25 years. My Sarasota trips are mostly family oriented 1/2 day fishing trips involving kids who love to catch all the family fun fish. My Boca Grande trips are for the more experienced spin or fly fishing angler.

Randy and Lisa were up for some well deserved R&R.

Randy and Lisa were in Sarasota for some well deserved rest and relaxation (R&R) and managed to catch some beautiful redfish while taking a guided fishing charter with me out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key this past week.

Although we’ve passed the half way mark on the month of September both the temperatures and the humidity are both still running on the high side. Hey this is South Florida, what did you expect. The Redfish were running hot and these two hauled in a few beauties for themselves.

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

I've been a fishing guide the Sarasota , Boca Grande area for over 25 years. My Sarasota trips are mostly family oriented 1/2 day fishing trips involving kids who love to catch all the family fun fish. My Boca Grande trips are for the more experienced spin or fly fishing angler.

Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers (MCFF) president Ken Babineau with a red and trout caught and released on a fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Grassett.

Fly anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with snook, redfish, trout and bluefish recently.

Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers president Ken Babineau, from Sarasota and member Gene Mayberry, from Bradenton, fished a pre-dawn/flats trip with me and had good action catching and releasing several snook and a red out of dock lights on small white flies before dawn

We moved to deep grass flats after daylight and they had steady action with trout to 22” and several blues on weighted flies fished on clear intermediate fly lines. The quality of trout, with quite a few over 20”, continues to improve since the continued red tide closure.

Gene Mayberry, from Bradenton, fished a pre-dawn flats trip with me and had good action with snook.

Fishing dock lights before dawn is usually dependable for snook and more and is a great way to beat the heat. Juvenile tarpon and reds may also frequent dock lights in late summer and fall. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Out­fit­ter of the Year.

I hosted a group of friends and clients on my annual destination fly fishing trip to southwest Montana this past week. Due to the current situation with the pandemic, it was a smaller group this year but the fishing was good as usual!

Rusty Chinnis, from Longboat Key, and I traveled from Sarasota to Bozeman on Sunday, August 2, and made the 2-1/2 hour drive to Medicine Lodge, on a 100,000 acre working ranch near the Beaverhead River, near Dillon, MT. We met up there with Mike Perez and Dennis Kinley, from IN, who drove out to met us at the lodge.

We fished the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers and a spring creek with guide Dave King, owner of King Outfitters (406) 596-0209 in Dillon, and guide Dan Allen. I’ve fished with these guides for almost 20-years when I started fishing Montana. They work hard, do a great job and know their fishery well. We had great action on 5 and 6-weight fly tackle with brown and rainbow trout to more than 20” on streamers, dry flies, dry/dropper and nymph rigs. The dry fly action was with a variety of grasshopper patterns, sometimes with a nymph dropper, or with a smaller dry fly and a few other bugs. Like fishing everywhere, there were good days and slower days but overall it was great!

Equipped with an industrial size kitchen and a large dining room with ranch style seating, it is a great place for our group. Chef Annie Kubicka spoiled us with hearty Montana meals and desserts! The weather and scenery were outstanding with temperatures ranging from a very comfortable mid 40’s in the morning to the mid 80’s in the afternoon with only 15% to 20% humidity, a welcome relief from southwest Florida’s heat and humidity in August! In addition to beautiful valleys surrounded by rugged mountains, the wildlife is amazing! We saw whitetail and mule deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, wild turkeys, hawks, eagles, ducks, geese and sand hill cranes.

Back in Sarasota catch and release snook fishing around dock lights and bridges and trout, jacks, blues and more on deep grass flats should be good options. There should be tarpon in areas of upper Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay. Juvenile tarpon in canals and creeks may also be a good option. You might also find them in a few places mixed with snook in dock lights.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Out­fit­ter of the Year.

These two brothers Cyrus and Kai had a banner day.

These two brothers Cyrus and Kai had a banner day catching gag grouper up to 20 inch and many beautiful trout. Kudos to mom and dad who raised these polite well mannered boys. I am looking forward to seeing them again the next time they’re ready to do a little fishing.

As I’ve said before in the past August is prime time to get out and try your hand at some warm water fishing, there’s really nothing quite like it. If the quarantined life is wearing you down why not book a fishing charter today.

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

I've been a fishing guide the Sarasota , Boca Grande area for over 25 years. My Sarasota trips are mostly family oriented 1/2 day fishing trips involving kids who love to catch all the family fun fish. My Boca Grande trips are for the more experienced spin or fly fishing angler.

These two hard working nurses enjoyed a day out on the water compliments of Capt. Brandon Naeve.

These two nurses got a free guided fishing trip with my compliments. I wanted to say thank these two hard working local nurses for being on the front lines saving many of our friends lives.

I urge everyone to think about their fellow Americans and take a moment to put on a mask when you’re out and about. If we work together we can bend the curve on this deadly pandemic and get this country on the road to a full recovery.

The weather has been nothing short of spectacular. Temperatures are running about where they should be but the humidity has been lower than normal, which has made for very comfortable outings. Wear a mask, save a nurse.

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

I've been a fishing guide the Sarasota , Boca Grande area for over 25 years. My Sarasota trips are mostly family oriented 1/2 day fishing trips involving kids who love to catch all the family fun fish. My Boca Grande trips are for the more experienced spin or fly fishing angler.

Fly anglers fishing the coastal gulf with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with tarpon recently. After an extended period of west wind, we finally switched to an east wind pattern for a few days. Justin Hamblett, from Sarasota, fished a day with me and caught and released a tarpon. After a couple of refusals, a fly change resulted in a hook up. Great job!

Dean and Jana Poetzl, from PA, also fished a day in Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande with me recently.

They had good action catching and releasing numerous trout to 4-lbs and a red on DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with jerk worms and shad tails.

Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Fishing dock lights before dawn is usually dependable for snook and more and is a great way to beat the heat.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Out­fit­ter of the Year.