Capt. Ed Hurst’s Weekly Fishing Report
Capt. Ed Hurst fishing the waters of Sarasota Bay.
Jerry Phelps, from Austin TX, went on an instructional fly casting/fishing trip with me in Sarasota Bay this past week. After a few show and tell tips Jerry’s casting improved dramatically.
Catching was slow to start but we kept moving and found some happy fish on the Middle Grounds northeast of New Pass. Jerry caught ladyfish, trout, bluefish and a nice pompano that he enjoyed for dinner. With the cold fronts coming and water temps dropping I expect fishing to continue to be good. Happy Thanksgiving, happy fishing, and safe travels.
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. Brandon Naeve’s Weekly Fishing Report
Cooler weather made for a great day on the water.
Triple tail fishing has been good however finding a keeper is not as easy as it used to be when the limit was 14 inches.
November means slightly cooler wasters in and around Sarasota Bay and the fishing has been decent with trout bluefish and a few mackerel coming into Bay. This cold snap should signal the fish will try to get in some extra food and store up before winter.
With temperatures beginning to cool why not grab the kids and make a day of it on the water.
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. Kelly Stilwell’s Weekly Fishing Report
John Sky had a couple of good days on the water.
Anglers had some great catches last week in spite of some challenging conditions. John Sky had a couple good days catching plenty of spanish mackerel as well as some nice sized sharks in the near shore Gulf early in the week.
Fly fishers also caught some nice mackeral, along with trout, bluefish, and ladyfish.
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. Bruce Burkhart’s Weekly Fishing Report
Capt. Bruce Burkhart with a nice spotted sea trout caught and released while fishing Sarasota Bay.
The last few weeks the fishing has been pretty good. Anglers fishing with me aboard the Casual Lies out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters have had their rods bent for most of their trips.
Fishing the docks with live shrimp and topwater lures we have been catching some small Redfish up to 24 inches and Snook up to about 22 inches.
Fishing with Greenback colored CAL Jigs on the grass flats in about 6 to 8 ft of water the fishing has been fast and steady. Anglers have been catching Bluefish, Mackerel, Jacks, Grouper, Ladyfish, and some Trout.
The Trout in the bay have recovered really well in the last year. A couple of anglers that are decent fishermen can catch 20 to 25 Trout, with a few being over 20 inches. The last hour of the trip we have been chunking up some Bluefish and Ladyfish and catching some 4-5 ft Sharks. They will test your skills on these lite tackle rods.
Bruce is a Florida native and has lived in Sarasota for thirty years. Capt. Bruce grew up on the east coast of Florida and started fishing with his dad when he was about six years old. Fishing has been a lifetime passion of his and in 2001 he obtained his U.S.C.G. Captain’s license.
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Kirk Grassett, from Middletown, DE, with a Spanish mackerel and other fish caught and released on flies while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Grassett.
I had good fly fishing action with snook, reds, trout, Spanish mackerel and bluefish on a recent trip in Sarasota Bay, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key.
My brother Kirk Grassett, from Middletown, DE, visited for a couple of days prior to our annual bonefish trip at Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge on South Andros, Bahamas. Right on the edge of a front moving through, we fished a pre-dawn snook/flats trip and fish were aggressive.
We fished dock lights and had decent action catching and releasing several snook and a couple of reds on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. We fished deep grass flats after daylight and had several hours of fast action catching and releasing blues to 4-lbs, Spanish mackerel and trout on Clouser flies.
Fishing dock lights for snook and more and the flats or coastal gulf after daylight is a good option. With stone crab traps in the water now, there is more structure to attract tripletail in the coastal gulf. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook in backcountry areas should also be a good option.
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
Connor and Cooper were down from Tampa this weekend working on their fishing skills.
Fall weather fishing with your grandsons doesn’t get any better then that. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Connor and Cooper visiting the weekend from Tampa working on their fishing skills and enjoying the wildlife on Sarasota Bay.
Fishing was a little challenging but did not seem to matter to the boys as they concentrated on each cast to see if they couldn’t get a hookup.
Water temperatures are cooling and that should get the fish to really turn on over the next several months. It’s a good time to book a trip and see what the area has to offer.
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
John Hoeksema shows off this small tarpon he caught and released this past week.
Area beaches are producing Spanish mackerel, and be on the look for tripletail when running the crab pot bouys. With the warm water we have had this fall the kingfish run has been very slow as the fish moved out in the cooler water offshore.
The bay also has Spanish mackerel along with speckled trout, mangrove snapper, redfish, bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle (remember that trout, snook and redfish are closed to harvest so handle with care while releasing). John Hoeksema caught a variety of fish recently with the top catch being a small tarpon in an area canal.
Most of the fish caught were on a variety of baits from live shrimp, CAL jigs and bucktailed jigs as well as mirror-dines and skitter walks for great top water action. Team Top Down fished three king mackerel tournaments this fall and were out of the money in all three. Caught lots of fish but not the large king mackerel they were looking for.
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. R.C. Gilliland’s Weekly Fishing Report
Eight-year-old Ryan McTeadue with a bonita he caught fishing out of CB’s with Capt. R.C. Gilliland.
Fishing in our area has been pretty good this week! Despite a cold front coming through this weekend, anglers fishing with me out of CB’s Outfitters caught a good amount of snook, trout, mackerel, and snapper inshore.
When the weather permits, we have been fishing nearshore in the gulf, having good action catching lots of mackerel and sharks, with a handful of tripletail, bonita, and small kingfish thrown in the mix. As the wind subsides and and gulf starts to calm, nearshore action should only improve due to the water temperatures reaching the ideal “fall temps” that the kingfish love.
I'm very laid back and easy going. I love fishing, hunting, and just about anything outdoors. I'm a licensed Charter boat Captain who likes having a good time and hates drama. I have a wide variety of friends and get along with just about anyone. Did I mention I love to fish?
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Marshall Dinerman with a jack crevalle caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action on a couple of trips in Sarasota Bay recently. Marshall Dinerman, from Lido Key, fished deep grass flats with me and had good action catching and releasing trout, jacks, bluefish and a pompano on CAL jigs with shad tails.
Sunny Moss, from Sarasota, also had some action with a variety of species. We fished deep grass flats and she had some action catching and releasing bluefish, Spanish mackerel and a jack.
We finished the day with a tripletail that she sight-fished. She was a student in a CB’s Saltwater Outfitters Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing school that I instructed and this was her first saltwater fly fishing trip. Great job Sunny!
Sunny Moss, from Sarasota, with a tripletail caught and released on a fly on her first fly fishing trip.
Fishing dock lights for snook and more before dawn and the flats or coastal gulf after daylight is a good option. With stone crab traps in the water now, there is more structure to attract tripletail in the coastal gulf.
Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook in backcountry areas should also be a good option. You may find juvenile tarpon in creeks, canals or around dock lights this time of year. 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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with snook and trout on a couple of trips in Sarasota Bay recently. With water temperatures in the low 80’s we are still in a summertime fishing pattern. However days are getting shorter and hopefully the first fronts of fall will arrive soon.
Stewart Lavelle with a snook he caught and released on a fly night fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Grassett.
Stewart Lavelle, from Siesta Key, fished with me recently and had some action catching and releasing several snook to 26” and jumping a tarpon on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Club members, Ken Moser and Andy Constantinou, did the same thing with me on another trip. They also had some action with snook to 29” around dock lights and trout on deep grass flats after daylight on the same fly.
Fishing dock lights for snook and more before dawn and the flats or coastal gulf after daylight is a good option. With stone crab traps in the water now, there is more structure to attract tripletail in the coastal gulf. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook in backcountry areas should also be a good option. You may find juvenile tarpon in creeks, canals or around dock lights this time of year.
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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Kyle Roland, from Indianapolis, caught and released tripletail on flies while fishing on different trips recently with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Fly anglers fishing in Sarasota with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tripletail and Spanish mackerel on several trips recently. I scouted the coastal gulf one day and had good action with Spanish mackerel on flies and fly poppers.
John Satterfield, from Philadelphia, hunted tripletail on another trip with me and he caught and released 2 out of 4 tripletail on my Grassett Flats Minnow fly. Kyle Roland, from Indianapolis, fished with me on another trip and caught and released his first tripletail on the same fly!
Spanish mackerel are becoming more plentiful in the coastal gulf and hopefully false albacore (little tunny) will be close behind them. With stone crab traps in the water now, there is also more structure to attract tripletail. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook in backcountry areas may also be a good option. You may find juvenile tarpon in creeks, canals or around dock lights this time of year.
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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
I had good action on a recent trip in Sarasota Bay, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. Fly angler James Lascelles, from the UK, fished a predawn snook/flats trip with me and caught and released several snook and a 10-lb juvenile tarpon with a 7-wt on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly before daylight. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good way to beat the heat.
James Lascelles, from the UK, with a juvenile tarpon caught and released on 7-wt fly tackle on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing this past week.
After daylight we hunted tripletail and he caught 2 out of 4 fish on my Grassett Flats Minnow fly. They weren’t big but still fun to sight fish them. With plentiful baitfish, I’m hoping for a strong fall season both in Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf.
You may find tarpon of all sizes in areas of upper Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay and juvenile tarpon in creeks, canals or around dock lights this time of year. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook may also be a good option.
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
Christopher had a great day out on the water.
They’re back! This morning’s trip with Christopher and Danielle out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas was very successful. Using jigs with Berkeley Gulp, popping cork with live shrimp and top water bait was our main Choice of Bait. We caught and released several nice redfish, grouper, and Jack Creval.
It was somewhat windy but we stayed on the leeward side out of the wind. Temperature and humidity were lower which made for a very comfortable outing. I’m really looking forward to this weeks fishing action and attending the Coastal Conservation Association banquet on Friday the 27th at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Sarasota.
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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Marshall Dinerman, from Lido Key, with a snook caught and released on a fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett recently.
I had good action on a recent trip in Sarasota Bay, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. Marshall Dinerman, from Lido Key, fished a predawn snook/flats trip with me and caught and released several snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly before daylight. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good way to beat the heat. We also fished deep grass flats after dawn and he had some action catching and releasing trout and his first tripletail on a CAL jig with a shad tail.
Fishing has been steadily improving in Sarasota Bay. With plentiful baitfish, I’m hoping for a strong fall season both in the bay and the coastal gulf. You may find tarpon in inside areas of Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay and 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. 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
Jordan and his bride Marina in front of the John and Mabel Ringling Museum.
I got a call from Jordan and his bride Marina. They were down from Michigan on their honeymoon and could not resist getting out on the beautiful waters of Sarasota Bay and doing some saltwater fishing. It was a gorgeous day filled with plenty of action just minutes after getting on the water, bait was everywhere we fished. Jacks, trout, ladyfish, mackerel, catfish and redfish kept the newlyweds busy all morning. They hardly had time to snack the fishing was that good.
The handsome couple took a moment to have there picture taken in front of the John and Mabel Ringling Museum. A memory of something they can share and remember for years to come.
PREDICTION! I think the fishing this fall could be the best we have had in quite awhile. Lets get em’.
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. Kelly Stilwell’s Weekly Fishing Report
Scott Tassinari had a great couple of days.
Fishing has been almost as hot as the temperatures over the past week. Anglers Scott and Tammy Tassinari had a great couple of days on the water aboard my boat.
We got an early start and right away they started catching some snook around the lighted structures. We then went over to the grass flats and had some fun with ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, jack crevalle, and gag grouper, using flies and plastic jigs for the most part.
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. 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. Ed Hurst’s Weekly Fishing Report
Capt. Ed Hurst fishing the waters of Sarasota Bay.
Jerry Phelps, from Austin TX, went on an instructional fly casting/fishing trip with me in Sarasota Bay this past week. After a few show and tell tips Jerry’s casting improved dramatically.
Catching was slow to start but we kept moving and found some happy fish on the Middle Grounds northeast of New Pass. Jerry caught ladyfish, trout, bluefish and a nice pompano that he enjoyed for dinner. With the cold fronts coming and water temps dropping I expect fishing to continue to be good. Happy Thanksgiving, happy fishing, and safe travels.
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. Brandon Naeve’s Weekly Fishing Report
Cooler weather made for a great day on the water.
Triple tail fishing has been good however finding a keeper is not as easy as it used to be when the limit was 14 inches.
November means slightly cooler wasters in and around Sarasota Bay and the fishing has been decent with trout bluefish and a few mackerel coming into Bay. This cold snap should signal the fish will try to get in some extra food and store up before winter.
With temperatures beginning to cool why not grab the kids and make a day of it on the water.
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. Kelly Stilwell’s Weekly Fishing Report
John Sky had a couple of good days on the water.
Anglers had some great catches last week in spite of some challenging conditions. John Sky had a couple good days catching plenty of spanish mackerel as well as some nice sized sharks in the near shore Gulf early in the week.
Fly fishers also caught some nice mackeral, along with trout, bluefish, and ladyfish.
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. Bruce Burkhart’s Weekly Fishing Report
Capt. Bruce Burkhart with a nice spotted sea trout caught and released while fishing Sarasota Bay.
The last few weeks the fishing has been pretty good. Anglers fishing with me aboard the Casual Lies out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters have had their rods bent for most of their trips.
Fishing the docks with live shrimp and topwater lures we have been catching some small Redfish up to 24 inches and Snook up to about 22 inches.
Fishing with Greenback colored CAL Jigs on the grass flats in about 6 to 8 ft of water the fishing has been fast and steady. Anglers have been catching Bluefish, Mackerel, Jacks, Grouper, Ladyfish, and some Trout.
The Trout in the bay have recovered really well in the last year. A couple of anglers that are decent fishermen can catch 20 to 25 Trout, with a few being over 20 inches. The last hour of the trip we have been chunking up some Bluefish and Ladyfish and catching some 4-5 ft Sharks. They will test your skills on these lite tackle rods.
Bruce is a Florida native and has lived in Sarasota for thirty years. Capt. Bruce grew up on the east coast of Florida and started fishing with his dad when he was about six years old. Fishing has been a lifetime passion of his and in 2001 he obtained his U.S.C.G. Captain’s license.
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Kirk Grassett, from Middletown, DE, with a Spanish mackerel and other fish caught and released on flies while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Grassett.
I had good fly fishing action with snook, reds, trout, Spanish mackerel and bluefish on a recent trip in Sarasota Bay, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key.
My brother Kirk Grassett, from Middletown, DE, visited for a couple of days prior to our annual bonefish trip at Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge on South Andros, Bahamas. Right on the edge of a front moving through, we fished a pre-dawn snook/flats trip and fish were aggressive.
We fished dock lights and had decent action catching and releasing several snook and a couple of reds on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. We fished deep grass flats after daylight and had several hours of fast action catching and releasing blues to 4-lbs, Spanish mackerel and trout on Clouser flies.
Fishing dock lights for snook and more and the flats or coastal gulf after daylight is a good option. With stone crab traps in the water now, there is more structure to attract tripletail in the coastal gulf. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook in backcountry areas should also be a good option.
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
Connor and Cooper were down from Tampa this weekend working on their fishing skills.
Fall weather fishing with your grandsons doesn’t get any better then that. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Connor and Cooper visiting the weekend from Tampa working on their fishing skills and enjoying the wildlife on Sarasota Bay.
Fishing was a little challenging but did not seem to matter to the boys as they concentrated on each cast to see if they couldn’t get a hookup.
Water temperatures are cooling and that should get the fish to really turn on over the next several months. It’s a good time to book a trip and see what the area has to offer.
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
John Hoeksema shows off this small tarpon he caught and released this past week.
Area beaches are producing Spanish mackerel, and be on the look for tripletail when running the crab pot bouys. With the warm water we have had this fall the kingfish run has been very slow as the fish moved out in the cooler water offshore.
The bay also has Spanish mackerel along with speckled trout, mangrove snapper, redfish, bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle (remember that trout, snook and redfish are closed to harvest so handle with care while releasing). John Hoeksema caught a variety of fish recently with the top catch being a small tarpon in an area canal.
Most of the fish caught were on a variety of baits from live shrimp, CAL jigs and bucktailed jigs as well as mirror-dines and skitter walks for great top water action. Team Top Down fished three king mackerel tournaments this fall and were out of the money in all three. Caught lots of fish but not the large king mackerel they were looking for.
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. R.C. Gilliland’s Weekly Fishing Report
Eight-year-old Ryan McTeadue with a bonita he caught fishing out of CB’s with Capt. R.C. Gilliland.
Fishing in our area has been pretty good this week! Despite a cold front coming through this weekend, anglers fishing with me out of CB’s Outfitters caught a good amount of snook, trout, mackerel, and snapper inshore.
When the weather permits, we have been fishing nearshore in the gulf, having good action catching lots of mackerel and sharks, with a handful of tripletail, bonita, and small kingfish thrown in the mix. As the wind subsides and and gulf starts to calm, nearshore action should only improve due to the water temperatures reaching the ideal “fall temps” that the kingfish love.
I'm very laid back and easy going. I love fishing, hunting, and just about anything outdoors. I'm a licensed Charter boat Captain who likes having a good time and hates drama. I have a wide variety of friends and get along with just about anyone. Did I mention I love to fish?
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Marshall Dinerman with a jack crevalle caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action on a couple of trips in Sarasota Bay recently. Marshall Dinerman, from Lido Key, fished deep grass flats with me and had good action catching and releasing trout, jacks, bluefish and a pompano on CAL jigs with shad tails.
Sunny Moss, from Sarasota, also had some action with a variety of species. We fished deep grass flats and she had some action catching and releasing bluefish, Spanish mackerel and a jack.
We finished the day with a tripletail that she sight-fished. She was a student in a CB’s Saltwater Outfitters Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing school that I instructed and this was her first saltwater fly fishing trip. Great job Sunny!
Sunny Moss, from Sarasota, with a tripletail caught and released on a fly on her first fly fishing trip.
Fishing dock lights for snook and more before dawn and the flats or coastal gulf after daylight is a good option. With stone crab traps in the water now, there is more structure to attract tripletail in the coastal gulf.
Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook in backcountry areas should also be a good option. You may find juvenile tarpon in creeks, canals or around dock lights this time of year. 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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with snook and trout on a couple of trips in Sarasota Bay recently. With water temperatures in the low 80’s we are still in a summertime fishing pattern. However days are getting shorter and hopefully the first fronts of fall will arrive soon.
Stewart Lavelle with a snook he caught and released on a fly night fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Grassett.
Stewart Lavelle, from Siesta Key, fished with me recently and had some action catching and releasing several snook to 26” and jumping a tarpon on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Club members, Ken Moser and Andy Constantinou, did the same thing with me on another trip. They also had some action with snook to 29” around dock lights and trout on deep grass flats after daylight on the same fly.
Fishing dock lights for snook and more before dawn and the flats or coastal gulf after daylight is a good option. With stone crab traps in the water now, there is more structure to attract tripletail in the coastal gulf. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook in backcountry areas should also be a good option. You may find juvenile tarpon in creeks, canals or around dock lights this time of year.
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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Kyle Roland, from Indianapolis, caught and released tripletail on flies while fishing on different trips recently with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Fly anglers fishing in Sarasota with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tripletail and Spanish mackerel on several trips recently. I scouted the coastal gulf one day and had good action with Spanish mackerel on flies and fly poppers.
John Satterfield, from Philadelphia, hunted tripletail on another trip with me and he caught and released 2 out of 4 tripletail on my Grassett Flats Minnow fly. Kyle Roland, from Indianapolis, fished with me on another trip and caught and released his first tripletail on the same fly!
Spanish mackerel are becoming more plentiful in the coastal gulf and hopefully false albacore (little tunny) will be close behind them. With stone crab traps in the water now, there is also more structure to attract tripletail. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook in backcountry areas may also be a good option. You may find juvenile tarpon in creeks, canals or around dock lights this time of year.
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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
I had good action on a recent trip in Sarasota Bay, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. Fly angler James Lascelles, from the UK, fished a predawn snook/flats trip with me and caught and released several snook and a 10-lb juvenile tarpon with a 7-wt on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly before daylight. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good way to beat the heat.
James Lascelles, from the UK, with a juvenile tarpon caught and released on 7-wt fly tackle on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing this past week.
After daylight we hunted tripletail and he caught 2 out of 4 fish on my Grassett Flats Minnow fly. They weren’t big but still fun to sight fish them. With plentiful baitfish, I’m hoping for a strong fall season both in Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf.
You may find tarpon of all sizes in areas of upper Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay and juvenile tarpon in creeks, canals or around dock lights this time of year. Fishing mangrove shorelines for catch and release reds and snook may also be a good option.
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
Christopher had a great day out on the water.
They’re back! This morning’s trip with Christopher and Danielle out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas was very successful. Using jigs with Berkeley Gulp, popping cork with live shrimp and top water bait was our main Choice of Bait. We caught and released several nice redfish, grouper, and Jack Creval.
It was somewhat windy but we stayed on the leeward side out of the wind. Temperature and humidity were lower which made for a very comfortable outing. I’m really looking forward to this weeks fishing action and attending the Coastal Conservation Association banquet on Friday the 27th at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Sarasota.
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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Marshall Dinerman, from Lido Key, with a snook caught and released on a fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett recently.
I had good action on a recent trip in Sarasota Bay, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. Marshall Dinerman, from Lido Key, fished a predawn snook/flats trip with me and caught and released several snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly before daylight. Night fishing for snook and more is a dependable option and a good way to beat the heat. We also fished deep grass flats after dawn and he had some action catching and releasing trout and his first tripletail on a CAL jig with a shad tail.
Fishing has been steadily improving in Sarasota Bay. With plentiful baitfish, I’m hoping for a strong fall season both in the bay and the coastal gulf. You may find tarpon in inside areas of Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay and 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. 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
Jordan and his bride Marina in front of the John and Mabel Ringling Museum.
I got a call from Jordan and his bride Marina. They were down from Michigan on their honeymoon and could not resist getting out on the beautiful waters of Sarasota Bay and doing some saltwater fishing. It was a gorgeous day filled with plenty of action just minutes after getting on the water, bait was everywhere we fished. Jacks, trout, ladyfish, mackerel, catfish and redfish kept the newlyweds busy all morning. They hardly had time to snack the fishing was that good.
The handsome couple took a moment to have there picture taken in front of the John and Mabel Ringling Museum. A memory of something they can share and remember for years to come.
PREDICTION! I think the fishing this fall could be the best we have had in quite awhile. Lets get em’.
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. Kelly Stilwell’s Weekly Fishing Report
Scott Tassinari had a great couple of days.
Fishing has been almost as hot as the temperatures over the past week. Anglers Scott and Tammy Tassinari had a great couple of days on the water aboard my boat.
We got an early start and right away they started catching some snook around the lighted structures. We then went over to the grass flats and had some fun with ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, jack crevalle, and gag grouper, using flies and plastic jigs for the most part.
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. 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.