Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Eric Mickelson, from MD, with a trout he caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action on a recent trip. Bruce Mickelson, from Sarasota and Eric Mickelson, from MD, fished a day with me and caught and released trout on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos. Trout, jacks and ladyfish were feeding in glass minnow schools so we worked the bait schools to locate and catch fish.
Tarpon are moving from the coastal gulf to inside areas of Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay as they thin out in the gulf. You might also find juvenile tarpon in creeks and canals this time of year. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook may also be a good option. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good 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!
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.
Capt. Brandon Naeve’s Weekly Fishing Report
A nice catch and another beautiful day on the water.
Summer fishing is in full swing with ladyfish, bluefish, and the occasional pompano as well as a few trout that survived the red tide. The weather in and around Sarasota Bay has been nice with water temperatures are in the mid to upper ’80s.
I recommend getting started between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning and get yourself off the water before the storms build up. August is a beautiful month to be out on the water here on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast.
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.
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Montana Fly Fishing Trip Report
I hosted a group of friends and clients on a destination fly fishing trip in southwest Montana during the past week. This is an annual trip for me and was my 18th year fishing in Montana. I traveled from Sarasota to Bozeman on Sunday, 8/4 and made the 2-1/2 hour drive to the lodge with Marshall Dinerman, from Atlanta, and Steve Coburn, from WI. Mike Perez and Stewart Lavelle, from Sarasota, met up with us at the lodge after fishing the previous week in British Columbia and Dennis Kinley, from IN, drove out and also met up with us at the lodge.
Capt. Rick Grassett fly fishing in Dillon, MT.
We stayed at Medicine Lodge, on a 100,000-acre working ranch near the Beaverhead River, outside of Dillon. Equipped with an industrial-size kitchen and a large dining room with ranch style seating, it was a great place for our group. Chef Annie Kubicka spoiled us with hearty Montana meals and desserts!
We fished the Beaverhead, Big Hole and Madison Rivers, a couple of lakes and a spring creek with guide Dave King, owner of King Outfitters (406) 596-0209 in Dillon, and his excellent group of guides; Dan, Mark, and Tommy. I’ve fished with these guides for many years since 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. We also did some still water fishing on a couple of lakes and had good action walking a spring creek, catching and releasing brookies, browns, and rainbows on dry flies with 3 and 4-weight fly tackle. 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!
Dennis Kinley with a rainbow trout he caught and released fly fishing in Dillon, MT.
The weather and scenery were outstanding with temperatures ranging from a very comfortable high ’40s in the morning to the mid-’80s 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 deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, bears, hawks, eagles, ducks, geese and sandhill 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 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!
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.
Capt. Terry Simmon’s Weekly Fishing Report
This week, fishing aboard the “Gone Coastal” with Captain Terry Simmons, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. The weather has been a little challenging this week with fast-moving tropical rainstorms early in the morning. BE SAFE, DON’T TAKE A CHANCE WITH LIGHTNING. Willing to endure the rain on Tuesday, I took out the Jeff Akin group for a little fun on the water.
We finally found an opening and started fishing on Robert’s Bay. Working around the islands using artificial baits we found baby tarpon but no takers. A quick storm approached and we took cover from the rain under the bridge, until it stopped. After the rainstorm, we went to some grass flats in Sarasota Bay catching small grouper, ladyfish and some Atlantic sail cats.
The birds started diving small baits, so we started working the outgoing tide, picking up several Spanish mackerel, for dinner, using DOA shad tail baits with a 3/8 oz. jig head and small silver spoons. Let’s go fishing when you need a good dose of Vitamin Sea.
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.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
10 year old Lawson Pressley of South Carolina with a nice bluefish he caught on a shrimp.
Sarasota Bay flats and docks were producing speckled trout, ladyfish. bluefish, Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, jack cravalle, and a few redfish along with a variety of other species this past week.
On one trip, a nice Bonnethead Shark was landed after quite a battle on light tackle. Anglers are using CAL jigs and bucktailed jigs as well as live shrimp. Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with snook, reds, and jacks in Gasparilla Sound and snook around dock lights in Sarasota Bay on a couple of trips during the past week.
Connor Shoemaker, from Sarasota, with a red he caught and released on CAL Shad tails while fishing Gasparilla Sound with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Jon Yenari and Connor Shoemaker, both from Sarasota, fished Gasparilla Sound recently and had great action catching and releasing numerous snook and a couple of reds on flies, CAL Shad tails and topwater plugs. We also encountered several large schools of jacks and had several “doubles” on fly and spin tackle. One of the jacks was eaten by a shark at the side of the boat, topwater plug and all!
Mark Schusterman, from Houston, fished dock lights in Sarasota Bay with me on another trip. He caught and released his first snook on a fly and several other snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow and Gummy Minnow flies. Snook blasted tiny glass minnows and were picky. It took flies as small as #8 to get them to bite. Match the hatch!
Jon Yenari, from Sarasota, with a snook he caught and released on CAL Shad tails while fishing Gasparilla Sound with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Tarpon are thinning in the coastal gulf but are usually curious and aggressive this time of year. If you’ve got the patience to wait them out it can be worth it. They will move into estuaries as they thin out in the gulf. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook may also be a good option. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good 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!
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.
Capt. Ed Hurst’s Weekly Fishing Report
Robin Calitri caught this redfish fishing the dock lights.
Robin Calitri, from NH, caught a reel bonus fishing the dock lights for snook. A 29-inch redfish beat a snook to an Enrico Puglisi baitfish pattern fly. It was Robin’s night. The big red ran under the dock dragging the Orvis fluorocarbon leader against the barnacles. Nicked and scraped the leader held and Robin was able to cajole it out into open water. All this on an Orvis Helios 3 7wt fly rod, the red weighted 10 pounds plus. A little while later he wasn’t so fortunate with a nice snook… that’s how they get big.
He did manage to catch several 20-24 in snook. All the fish were released to continue to build our stocks back. The nice thing about night trips after the afternoon rain, the temperature isn’t in the 90’s and you don’t get sunburnt. Be careful out there and respect the fish and other fishermen.
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.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
Don Sutherland with a nice red he caught in the bay.
Live shrimp is still accounting for most of the fish caught this week along with bucktail and CAL jigs. Clients are catching mangrove snapper, black drum, redfish and speckled trout around Sarasota bay flats and docks.
Other species caught were bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, and ladyfish. All in all, it’s a great time of year to be on the water with a rod and reel in your hands. Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon in the coastal gulf on several trips during the past week. Tarpon were jumped on several trips and Hal Lutz, from Parrish, FL, landed one. Great job!
Jeff Babik, from IL, displaying a Sarasota Bay trout he caught and released.
Action on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is improving. Jeff and Matt Babik, from IL, jumped a juvenile tarpon on a DOA TerrorEyz and had good action with trout in Sarasota Bay on Clouser flies and CAL jigs with shad tails. Tim and Cooper Campbell, from Singapore, caught and released trout on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay and Spanish mackerel in the coastal gulf on Clouser and Grassett Snook Minnow flies and CAL jigs with shad tails on another trip.
Tarpon are thinning in the coastal gulf but are aggressive this time of year. They will move to inside areas of Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay as they thin out in the gulf. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook may also be a good option. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good 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!
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.
Capt. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Five-year-old Henry and his dad Ben had a contest while fishing Sarasota Bay this past week.
Five-year-old Henry and his dad Ben had a little fishing contest on board the Lets Get Em Charters boat. Visiting from central Illinois they booked their charter with me out of CB’S Outfitters on Siesta Key.
The weather was quite comfortable and the water was calm to start the contest. Numerous fish were caught such as ladyfish Spanish mackerel catfish lizardfish Jack Crevalle and a few pinfish.
At the end of the day, young Henry was declared the winner by one. Fishing at Sarasota Bay has really picked up over the last few weeks my experience tells me it’s only going to get better.
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.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
Will Hartman with a nice redfish he caught this past week fishing Sarasota Bay.
Once again we are finding black drum, redfish and speckled trout around Sarasota Bay flats and docks. Live shrimp accounted for most of the fish caught along with bucktail and CAL jigs.
Other species caught were bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, and ladyfish. Catch of the week honors goes to Will Hartman with a nice redfish. Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Andy Cotton’s Weekly Fishing Report
Night fishing has been pretty good this week.
The fishing in Sarasota Bay has picked up pretty good on the deeper grass flats, we are catching trout, bluefish, pompano, jacks, and ladyfish using a DOA CAL jigs and clouser deep minnow patterns.
Night snook fishing has been pretty good this past week. My spin fisherman have been catching them on the DOA 2-inch and 2.75-inch shrimp in the gold glitter color. Fly anglers will score with any small pattern in white.
Capt. Andy loves fly fishing and light spinning tackle with artificial lures. He fishes out of an Action Craft 1720 flats skiff rigged with the latest electronics and outfitted with Orvis fly equipment and Shimano spinning tackle. Andy is the owner of O'Fish All Guide Service.
Capt. Kelly Stilwell’s Weekly Fishing Report
The Bayette family had a great day on the water.
The fishing really heated up last week. The Bayette family had a great trip. They were busy throughout the morning catching bluefish, Spanish mackerel, seatrout, and ladyfish. All the fish were caught on 1/4 ounce jigs with plastic tails.
Lawrence Baxter and his son went for an evening trip on Wednesday. They also saw some nice fish including a big pompano and some snook after dark. Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can!
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.
Capt. Kelly Kurtz’s Weekly Fishing Report
Fishing’s been very productive the last few weeks.
Anglers fishing with me this past week have had some exceptional days. We’ve been fishing the passes using a combination of live bait which seems to be the key. We’ve caught and released many snook from 16 to 34 inches.
We’ve also caught Mangrove snapper, jacks, and juvenile grouper as well. On a few of the days, we were out the passes were too rough so we wound up fishing the flats catching and releasing sea trout up to 20 inches.
Tight lines everyone!
Kelly is a Sarasota native and the owner and operator of Mangrove Charters. He's passionate about fishing and hunting. As a full-time fishing guide Kelly operates out of a 22 ft. Bayscout and specializes in light tackle using both artificial and live bait. Redfish are his favorite.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
Emma Vincent with a nice black she caught.
Sarasota bay fishing is good with a variety of species hitting. Clients landed black drum, speckled trout, ladyfish, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, a couple of redfish along with several others.
A nice cobia was in the mix as well but broke off before it could be invited home for dinner! The fish were caught using buck tailed jigs and live shrimp.
Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Father and daughter Travis and Carly visiting the area from Kansas City had a great day.
Father and daughter Travis and Carly booked a trip with me on the fourth of July. We met at CB’S Outfitters on Siesta Key early in the morning in search of anything that would bend the fishing pole. Carly, who was an excellent fisherman and very patient, fished hard even though she had a cast on her left hand from a cheerleading mishap.
Our search for a fish was challenging until Travis hooked a snook on a topwater lure. They were visiting from Kansas City and saw things that they normally would not see such as dolphins, pelicans, and the beautiful waters surrounding Sarasota.
I reminded them to remember this day come mid-January.
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.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
Nick DeMarco and his dad Ernie with a tarpon Nick caught and released.
Anglers fishing with me have been having success hooking and landing tarpon along area beaches. The fish are beginning to spread out with a few schools still bunched up from time to time. The tarpon are hitting crabs and pinfish. Along the beach, we’re encountering Spanish mackerel and a variety of sharks.
In the bay, we’ve been catching ladyfish, snook, bluefish and the speckled trout, which are slowly returning to the grass flats. We have been using buck tailed jigs and live shrimp for bait.
Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Kelly Stilwell’s Weekly Fishing Report
We had fun on Monday fishing Sarasota Bay.
Fishing started to heat up in Sarasota Bay this week. The Hartman father and son trip on Monday had a great morning. They caught some hard fighting bluefish, big pompano, a few Spanish mackerel, and a couple of nice trout. They also managed to land a nice sized ladyfish which made for a great day for everyone.
Later that evening Brad, Sara, and Max Warhold also caught bluefish, and pompano as well as snook up to 28 inches under lighted structure in Sarasota Bay.
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.
Capt. Kelly Kurtz’s Weekly Fishing Report
It’s hot so get out there as early as you can.
Despite the heat, the fishing remains steady if you get out there early. Yes, it’s hot but it’s been beautiful out on the water as long as you get an early morning start. Last week while fishing the passes we had several good days catching and releasing snook, mangrove snapper, jacks, and a few Spanish mackerel.
With the upcoming new moon, I’m looking forward to another good week of fishing. If you can find the time I highly recommend getting out there but get an early start.
Kelly is a Sarasota native and the owner and operator of Mangrove Charters. He's passionate about fishing and hunting. As a full-time fishing guide Kelly operates out of a 22 ft. Bayscout and specializes in light tackle using both artificial and live bait. Redfish are his favorite.
Capt. Andy Cotton’s Weekly Fishing Report
There’s really nothing quite like battling a tarpon.
Anglers fishing with me last week in Sarasota Bay caught and released trout, bluefish, mackerel, and ladyfish using DOA CAL shad tails and DOA deadly combos.
We concentrated on the deep grass flats near the passes with moving water. Bay water temps are in the mid to upper 80’s by noon so fish early for best results. Tarpon is still in full swing in our area if you want a chance to catch one of these premier big game fish, late June and July is the time to do it.
Spin anglers are catching them on live crabs and DOA baitbusters, my fly guys are getting numerous shots and looks with black bunny flies.
Capt. Andy loves fly fishing and light spinning tackle with artificial lures. He fishes out of an Action Craft 1720 flats skiff rigged with the latest electronics and outfitted with Orvis fly equipment and Shimano spinning tackle. Andy is the owner of O'Fish All Guide Service.
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Eric Mickelson, from MD, with a trout he caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action on a recent trip. Bruce Mickelson, from Sarasota and Eric Mickelson, from MD, fished a day with me and caught and released trout on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos. Trout, jacks and ladyfish were feeding in glass minnow schools so we worked the bait schools to locate and catch fish.
Tarpon are moving from the coastal gulf to inside areas of Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay as they thin out in the gulf. You might also find juvenile tarpon in creeks and canals this time of year. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook may also be a good option. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good 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!
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.
Capt. Brandon Naeve’s Weekly Fishing Report
A nice catch and another beautiful day on the water.
Summer fishing is in full swing with ladyfish, bluefish, and the occasional pompano as well as a few trout that survived the red tide. The weather in and around Sarasota Bay has been nice with water temperatures are in the mid to upper ’80s.
I recommend getting started between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning and get yourself off the water before the storms build up. August is a beautiful month to be out on the water here on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast.
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.
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Montana Fly Fishing Trip Report
I hosted a group of friends and clients on a destination fly fishing trip in southwest Montana during the past week. This is an annual trip for me and was my 18th year fishing in Montana. I traveled from Sarasota to Bozeman on Sunday, 8/4 and made the 2-1/2 hour drive to the lodge with Marshall Dinerman, from Atlanta, and Steve Coburn, from WI. Mike Perez and Stewart Lavelle, from Sarasota, met up with us at the lodge after fishing the previous week in British Columbia and Dennis Kinley, from IN, drove out and also met up with us at the lodge.
Capt. Rick Grassett fly fishing in Dillon, MT.
We stayed at Medicine Lodge, on a 100,000-acre working ranch near the Beaverhead River, outside of Dillon. Equipped with an industrial-size kitchen and a large dining room with ranch style seating, it was a great place for our group. Chef Annie Kubicka spoiled us with hearty Montana meals and desserts!
We fished the Beaverhead, Big Hole and Madison Rivers, a couple of lakes and a spring creek with guide Dave King, owner of King Outfitters (406) 596-0209 in Dillon, and his excellent group of guides; Dan, Mark, and Tommy. I’ve fished with these guides for many years since 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. We also did some still water fishing on a couple of lakes and had good action walking a spring creek, catching and releasing brookies, browns, and rainbows on dry flies with 3 and 4-weight fly tackle. 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!
Dennis Kinley with a rainbow trout he caught and released fly fishing in Dillon, MT.
The weather and scenery were outstanding with temperatures ranging from a very comfortable high ’40s in the morning to the mid-’80s 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 deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, bears, hawks, eagles, ducks, geese and sandhill 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 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!
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.
Capt. Terry Simmon’s Weekly Fishing Report
This week, fishing aboard the “Gone Coastal” with Captain Terry Simmons, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. The weather has been a little challenging this week with fast-moving tropical rainstorms early in the morning. BE SAFE, DON’T TAKE A CHANCE WITH LIGHTNING. Willing to endure the rain on Tuesday, I took out the Jeff Akin group for a little fun on the water.
We finally found an opening and started fishing on Robert’s Bay. Working around the islands using artificial baits we found baby tarpon but no takers. A quick storm approached and we took cover from the rain under the bridge, until it stopped. After the rainstorm, we went to some grass flats in Sarasota Bay catching small grouper, ladyfish and some Atlantic sail cats.
The birds started diving small baits, so we started working the outgoing tide, picking up several Spanish mackerel, for dinner, using DOA shad tail baits with a 3/8 oz. jig head and small silver spoons. Let’s go fishing when you need a good dose of Vitamin Sea.
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.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
10 year old Lawson Pressley of South Carolina with a nice bluefish he caught on a shrimp.
Sarasota Bay flats and docks were producing speckled trout, ladyfish. bluefish, Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, jack cravalle, and a few redfish along with a variety of other species this past week.
On one trip, a nice Bonnethead Shark was landed after quite a battle on light tackle. Anglers are using CAL jigs and bucktailed jigs as well as live shrimp. Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with snook, reds, and jacks in Gasparilla Sound and snook around dock lights in Sarasota Bay on a couple of trips during the past week.
Connor Shoemaker, from Sarasota, with a red he caught and released on CAL Shad tails while fishing Gasparilla Sound with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Jon Yenari and Connor Shoemaker, both from Sarasota, fished Gasparilla Sound recently and had great action catching and releasing numerous snook and a couple of reds on flies, CAL Shad tails and topwater plugs. We also encountered several large schools of jacks and had several “doubles” on fly and spin tackle. One of the jacks was eaten by a shark at the side of the boat, topwater plug and all!
Mark Schusterman, from Houston, fished dock lights in Sarasota Bay with me on another trip. He caught and released his first snook on a fly and several other snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow and Gummy Minnow flies. Snook blasted tiny glass minnows and were picky. It took flies as small as #8 to get them to bite. Match the hatch!
Jon Yenari, from Sarasota, with a snook he caught and released on CAL Shad tails while fishing Gasparilla Sound with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Tarpon are thinning in the coastal gulf but are usually curious and aggressive this time of year. If you’ve got the patience to wait them out it can be worth it. They will move into estuaries as they thin out in the gulf. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook may also be a good option. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good 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!
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.
Capt. Ed Hurst’s Weekly Fishing Report
Robin Calitri caught this redfish fishing the dock lights.
Robin Calitri, from NH, caught a reel bonus fishing the dock lights for snook. A 29-inch redfish beat a snook to an Enrico Puglisi baitfish pattern fly. It was Robin’s night. The big red ran under the dock dragging the Orvis fluorocarbon leader against the barnacles. Nicked and scraped the leader held and Robin was able to cajole it out into open water. All this on an Orvis Helios 3 7wt fly rod, the red weighted 10 pounds plus. A little while later he wasn’t so fortunate with a nice snook… that’s how they get big.
He did manage to catch several 20-24 in snook. All the fish were released to continue to build our stocks back. The nice thing about night trips after the afternoon rain, the temperature isn’t in the 90’s and you don’t get sunburnt. Be careful out there and respect the fish and other fishermen.
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.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
Don Sutherland with a nice red he caught in the bay.
Live shrimp is still accounting for most of the fish caught this week along with bucktail and CAL jigs. Clients are catching mangrove snapper, black drum, redfish and speckled trout around Sarasota bay flats and docks.
Other species caught were bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, and ladyfish. All in all, it’s a great time of year to be on the water with a rod and reel in your hands. Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon in the coastal gulf on several trips during the past week. Tarpon were jumped on several trips and Hal Lutz, from Parrish, FL, landed one. Great job!
Jeff Babik, from IL, displaying a Sarasota Bay trout he caught and released.
Action on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is improving. Jeff and Matt Babik, from IL, jumped a juvenile tarpon on a DOA TerrorEyz and had good action with trout in Sarasota Bay on Clouser flies and CAL jigs with shad tails. Tim and Cooper Campbell, from Singapore, caught and released trout on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay and Spanish mackerel in the coastal gulf on Clouser and Grassett Snook Minnow flies and CAL jigs with shad tails on another trip.
Tarpon are thinning in the coastal gulf but are aggressive this time of year. They will move to inside areas of Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay as they thin out in the gulf. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook may also be a good option. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good 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!
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.
Capt. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Five-year-old Henry and his dad Ben had a contest while fishing Sarasota Bay this past week.
Five-year-old Henry and his dad Ben had a little fishing contest on board the Lets Get Em Charters boat. Visiting from central Illinois they booked their charter with me out of CB’S Outfitters on Siesta Key.
The weather was quite comfortable and the water was calm to start the contest. Numerous fish were caught such as ladyfish Spanish mackerel catfish lizardfish Jack Crevalle and a few pinfish.
At the end of the day, young Henry was declared the winner by one. Fishing at Sarasota Bay has really picked up over the last few weeks my experience tells me it’s only going to get better.
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.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
Will Hartman with a nice redfish he caught this past week fishing Sarasota Bay.
Once again we are finding black drum, redfish and speckled trout around Sarasota Bay flats and docks. Live shrimp accounted for most of the fish caught along with bucktail and CAL jigs.
Other species caught were bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, and ladyfish. Catch of the week honors goes to Will Hartman with a nice redfish. Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Andy Cotton’s Weekly Fishing Report
Night fishing has been pretty good this week.
The fishing in Sarasota Bay has picked up pretty good on the deeper grass flats, we are catching trout, bluefish, pompano, jacks, and ladyfish using a DOA CAL jigs and clouser deep minnow patterns.
Night snook fishing has been pretty good this past week. My spin fisherman have been catching them on the DOA 2-inch and 2.75-inch shrimp in the gold glitter color. Fly anglers will score with any small pattern in white.
Capt. Andy loves fly fishing and light spinning tackle with artificial lures. He fishes out of an Action Craft 1720 flats skiff rigged with the latest electronics and outfitted with Orvis fly equipment and Shimano spinning tackle. Andy is the owner of O'Fish All Guide Service.
Capt. Kelly Stilwell’s Weekly Fishing Report
The Bayette family had a great day on the water.
The fishing really heated up last week. The Bayette family had a great trip. They were busy throughout the morning catching bluefish, Spanish mackerel, seatrout, and ladyfish. All the fish were caught on 1/4 ounce jigs with plastic tails.
Lawrence Baxter and his son went for an evening trip on Wednesday. They also saw some nice fish including a big pompano and some snook after dark. Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can!
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.
Capt. Kelly Kurtz’s Weekly Fishing Report
Fishing’s been very productive the last few weeks.
Anglers fishing with me this past week have had some exceptional days. We’ve been fishing the passes using a combination of live bait which seems to be the key. We’ve caught and released many snook from 16 to 34 inches.
We’ve also caught Mangrove snapper, jacks, and juvenile grouper as well. On a few of the days, we were out the passes were too rough so we wound up fishing the flats catching and releasing sea trout up to 20 inches.
Tight lines everyone!
Kelly is a Sarasota native and the owner and operator of Mangrove Charters. He's passionate about fishing and hunting. As a full-time fishing guide Kelly operates out of a 22 ft. Bayscout and specializes in light tackle using both artificial and live bait. Redfish are his favorite.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
Emma Vincent with a nice black she caught.
Sarasota bay fishing is good with a variety of species hitting. Clients landed black drum, speckled trout, ladyfish, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, a couple of redfish along with several others.
A nice cobia was in the mix as well but broke off before it could be invited home for dinner! The fish were caught using buck tailed jigs and live shrimp.
Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Father and daughter Travis and Carly visiting the area from Kansas City had a great day.
Father and daughter Travis and Carly booked a trip with me on the fourth of July. We met at CB’S Outfitters on Siesta Key early in the morning in search of anything that would bend the fishing pole. Carly, who was an excellent fisherman and very patient, fished hard even though she had a cast on her left hand from a cheerleading mishap.
Our search for a fish was challenging until Travis hooked a snook on a topwater lure. They were visiting from Kansas City and saw things that they normally would not see such as dolphins, pelicans, and the beautiful waters surrounding Sarasota.
I reminded them to remember this day come mid-January.
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.
Capt. Jeffri Durrance’s Weekly Fishing Report
Nick DeMarco and his dad Ernie with a tarpon Nick caught and released.
Anglers fishing with me have been having success hooking and landing tarpon along area beaches. The fish are beginning to spread out with a few schools still bunched up from time to time. The tarpon are hitting crabs and pinfish. Along the beach, we’re encountering Spanish mackerel and a variety of sharks.
In the bay, we’ve been catching ladyfish, snook, bluefish and the speckled trout, which are slowly returning to the grass flats. We have been using buck tailed jigs and live shrimp for bait.
Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!
Jeffri is a fourth generation native Floridian who grew up in Bowling Green, Florida, located in Hardee County. While growing up on a cattle and citrus operation Jeffri fished many creeks and lakes in the central Florida area as well as the Peace River.
Capt. Kelly Stilwell’s Weekly Fishing Report
We had fun on Monday fishing Sarasota Bay.
Fishing started to heat up in Sarasota Bay this week. The Hartman father and son trip on Monday had a great morning. They caught some hard fighting bluefish, big pompano, a few Spanish mackerel, and a couple of nice trout. They also managed to land a nice sized ladyfish which made for a great day for everyone.
Later that evening Brad, Sara, and Max Warhold also caught bluefish, and pompano as well as snook up to 28 inches under lighted structure in Sarasota Bay.
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.
Capt. Kelly Kurtz’s Weekly Fishing Report
It’s hot so get out there as early as you can.
Despite the heat, the fishing remains steady if you get out there early. Yes, it’s hot but it’s been beautiful out on the water as long as you get an early morning start. Last week while fishing the passes we had several good days catching and releasing snook, mangrove snapper, jacks, and a few Spanish mackerel.
With the upcoming new moon, I’m looking forward to another good week of fishing. If you can find the time I highly recommend getting out there but get an early start.
Kelly is a Sarasota native and the owner and operator of Mangrove Charters. He's passionate about fishing and hunting. As a full-time fishing guide Kelly operates out of a 22 ft. Bayscout and specializes in light tackle using both artificial and live bait. Redfish are his favorite.
Capt. Andy Cotton’s Weekly Fishing Report
There’s really nothing quite like battling a tarpon.
Anglers fishing with me last week in Sarasota Bay caught and released trout, bluefish, mackerel, and ladyfish using DOA CAL shad tails and DOA deadly combos.
We concentrated on the deep grass flats near the passes with moving water. Bay water temps are in the mid to upper 80’s by noon so fish early for best results. Tarpon is still in full swing in our area if you want a chance to catch one of these premier big game fish, late June and July is the time to do it.
Spin anglers are catching them on live crabs and DOA baitbusters, my fly guys are getting numerous shots and looks with black bunny flies.
Capt. Andy loves fly fishing and light spinning tackle with artificial lures. He fishes out of an Action Craft 1720 flats skiff rigged with the latest electronics and outfitted with Orvis fly equipment and Shimano spinning tackle. Andy is the owner of O'Fish All Guide Service.