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
Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon in the coastal gulf during the past week. A persistent west wind for most of the week made conditions tough and a couple of trips were canceled.
Bradenton’s Jeb Mulock caught and released this tarpon on a fly while fishing the coastal gulf with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Despite a big swell and choppy conditions on several days that we fished, some tarpon schools were high in the water column and several tarpon were jumped. Jeb Mulock, from Bradenton and Jeff Handlin, from CO, fished with me on Friday. They had lots of shots and Jeb landed a fish. Great job!
Look for tarpon in the coastal gulf. If conditions are poor in the Gulf, you may find them in protected inside waters where 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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with snook and tarpon on DOA Lures and live crabs in backcountry areas of Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor recently. A persistent west wind for most of the week made the coastal gulf too uncomfortable to fish, so we fished more protected areas.
Good Times Tarpon fishing in Charlotte Harbor. CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW SLIDESHOW
Cliff Ondercin, from Sarasota and his dad, Dennis Ondercin, from OH, fished several days with me during the past week. We fished backcountry areas in Tampa Bay and they had good action catching and releasing numerous snook on CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms and DOA PT-7 topwater baits.
We fished another day in the backcountry of Charlotte Harbor and they had good action jumping 3 tarpon and landing 2 of them on a DOA Baitbuster and live crabs. Tarpon fishing is very dependent on conditions and we were fortunate to have great conditions for tarpon that day.
Look for tarpon in the coastal gulf. If conditions are poor in the Gulf, you may find them in protected inside waters where 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
Alex caught and released this super sized snook.
This nice-looking super-sized Snook was caught and released by Alex who’s shown left. Alex will be heading into his sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati following some summertime rest and relaxation.
Alex, who along with his dad, both from Cincinnati, fished with me on the Let’s Get Em’ Charter Boat out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key this past week.
Both anglers were using artificial bait when Alex, fishing with a topwater lure, saw and felt an explosion at the end of his line. After several minutes of drag pulling, and a wildly jumping fish Alex showed his angling ability as he landed one very nice trophy Snook.
We caught several other fish but this is the one he’ll remember for a long time to come.
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
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny) and tarpon in the coastal gulf recently.
Mark Nielson with a false albacore caught and released.
Fly angler Mark Nielson, from Seaford, DE, fished a day with me and despite a water temperature of 85 degrees, Spanish mackerel and false albacore were plentiful in the coastal gulf. I have seen this happen this time of year before but mackerel have usually migrated north by now.
Glass minnow (bay anchovy) schools were thick and predators had them balled up. Mark caught and released several mackerel and ended the day with his first false albacore on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Great job!
Dave Reinhart, from MA, and Domenick Raschella, from VA, fished the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me on another trip and Dave caught and released a tarpon on a live crab with spinning tackle.
Dave Reinhart, from MA, caught and released this tarpon with some help from Capt. Rick Grassett.
Although tarpon fishing is very dependent on conditions, they are plentiful now in the coastal gulf as they migrate through our area to spawn.
Look for tarpon, Spanish mackerel, false albacore and other migratory species in the coastal gulf. Catch and release night snook fishing is also 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. Kelly Kurtz’s Weekly Fishing Report
Nicer weather usually means better fishing.
The last couple of weeks the fishing has been steadily improving. On a couple of days, the seas were calm and we fished off the beaches. Spanish mackerel were crashing large bait schools as well as some large sharks mixed into the fray. Casting spoons provided several good days of action.
Last week I stayed inshore fishing the passes and docks. Fishing with live bait anglers caught and released snook up to 28 inches, along with a few redfish, jacks and mangrove snapper.
We also had a couple of surprises as we released a 20-inch flounder as well as a juvenile Goliath grouper.
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. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Kellen with one of the many mackerel he caught.
Young Kellen is shown here holding one of the many mackerel he caught on his excursion this week with his dad Ryan. We left CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key early in the morning in search of bait or busting fish on the surface.
The first couple of places we looked there was no action. We finally slipped out into the nearshore gulf and our luck soon changed. We saw fish busting the surface and birds diving. After that, the action was fast and furious as we caught ladyfish Spanish mackerel Jack’s and blue runners.
With calm weather expected over the next few days, I am planning on finding those fish again.
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
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with jacks and bluefish in Sarasota Bay and tarpon in the coastal gulf on flies recently.
Bill Morrison, from Anna Maria Island, fished a day in Sarasota Bay with me. The plan was to fly fish for tarpon in the coastal gulf, but conditions wouldn’t allow it. We found some birds working bait on a Sarasota Bay deep grass flat and he caught and released jacks, ladyfish and a bluefish on Clouser flies. Lew Murray, from Tarpon Springs, fly fished for tarpon on another trip with me in the coastal gulf. He had several shots, hooked up and fought the fish to close to the boat before it wore through the bite tippet. A great job on his first ever attempt at fly fishing for tarpon!
Early in the season is always a good time to discuss tarpon fishing etiquette. Give other anglers at least several hundred yards of distance in any direction since tarpon may be moving north or south. Running an outboard may not only ruin your own chances at catching a fish but for others too. Even though a 4-stroke outboard is quiet, it is no substitute for an electric trolling motor. Even electric motors should be used sparingly in deeper water and not at all in shallow water. The shallower the water, the more tarpon will be affected. Treat other anglers with the same respect that you would want to receive and everyone should have a chance to catch a tarpon.
Look for tarpon, Spanish mackerel and other migratory species in the coastal gulf. Catch and release night snook fishing is a dependable option and a good way to beat the heat. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by 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
David Miller with a nice sized Tarpon he battled, caught, and released this week with Capt. Ed.
David Miller and son Zack, from Charlotte NC, enjoyed a beautiful morning of tarpon fishing with me. David landed a very nice fish that weighed in at around 80 pounds.
Zack put two in the air. The hook pulled on one and the other one rubbed through the leader. More bait seems to be showing up off the beach which should translate into more happy tarpon.
This is Captain Ed Hurst wishing you… ‘tight lines and cool breezes.’
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. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Aidan hooked up with a snook at our first spot.
I had a couple of very nice young men on board today from Indiana. Their mother, Angie, booked the trip with me thru Siesta Key’s CB’s Saltwater Outfitters.
Harrison, the older brother of Aidan, hooked up with a snook at our first spot using a topwater lure. Aiden then followed up with another snook using live shrimp under a popping cork. We fished several other spots catching a redfish, ladyfish, and catfish.
The water and weather were perfect for an early summer fishing trip. We also enjoyed seeing the water birds and several dolphins on the bay during the trip.
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. Brandon Naeve’s Weekly Fishing Report
Glenna from Sarasota with her first Tarpon.
The weather in and around Sarasota Bay has been nice with water temperatures are in the mid-’80s. There’s nothing is better than the feeling when you hook your first tarpon. Glenna from Sarasota experienced that feeling this week when she hooked her first Tarpon off of Venice Florida with some help from Capt Brandon Naeve.
The Sarasota Tarpon Tournament just entered the second of its scheduled five-week run, and the thrill of catching and releasing one of these world-class fighters is quite a thrill.
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. Brandon Naeve’s Weekly Fishing Report
Nelson displays a redfish he caught and released.
We experienced a few overcast days this past week but all in all, it made for some pleasant fishing and time well spent on the water.
Rhode Island guy Nelson happily displays this big, beautiful redfish he caught and released in Sarasota Bay unharmed to spawn many more times. Hopefully, he’ll bring us back many more after the nasty red tide issues we had to deal with last year. Water temperatures continue to rise in the Bay and there’s no better time than now to get yourself out 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. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Conni hauled in this prickly lookin’ blowfish using a popping cork with live shrimp.
You never know what you might catch or see fishing the beautiful waters around Siesta Key. Marvin and Connie visiting from Georgia booked a charter through CB’S Outfitters on Siesta Key and went fishing with me on the Lets Get Em’ Charters boat.
We caught and released several snook as well as losing a few more. Connie, using a popping cork with live shrimp, hauled in this rather handsome looking prickly blowfish. The bay is showing quite an improvement with lots of Mullett and Bait.
Prior to our fishing trip this morning I looked at the Gulf waters off Turtle Beach and saw several tarpon rolling just off the beach. This would be a good time to book a trip inshore or off the beach for the Tarpon.
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
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
Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon in the coastal gulf during the past week. A persistent west wind for most of the week made conditions tough and a couple of trips were canceled.
Bradenton’s Jeb Mulock caught and released this tarpon on a fly while fishing the coastal gulf with Capt. Rick Grassett.
Despite a big swell and choppy conditions on several days that we fished, some tarpon schools were high in the water column and several tarpon were jumped. Jeb Mulock, from Bradenton and Jeff Handlin, from CO, fished with me on Friday. They had lots of shots and Jeb landed a fish. Great job!
Look for tarpon in the coastal gulf. If conditions are poor in the Gulf, you may find them in protected inside waters where 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. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with snook and tarpon on DOA Lures and live crabs in backcountry areas of Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor recently. A persistent west wind for most of the week made the coastal gulf too uncomfortable to fish, so we fished more protected areas.
Good Times Tarpon fishing in Charlotte Harbor. CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW SLIDESHOW
Cliff Ondercin, from Sarasota and his dad, Dennis Ondercin, from OH, fished several days with me during the past week. We fished backcountry areas in Tampa Bay and they had good action catching and releasing numerous snook on CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms and DOA PT-7 topwater baits.
We fished another day in the backcountry of Charlotte Harbor and they had good action jumping 3 tarpon and landing 2 of them on a DOA Baitbuster and live crabs. Tarpon fishing is very dependent on conditions and we were fortunate to have great conditions for tarpon that day.
Look for tarpon in the coastal gulf. If conditions are poor in the Gulf, you may find them in protected inside waters where 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
Alex caught and released this super sized snook.
This nice-looking super-sized Snook was caught and released by Alex who’s shown left. Alex will be heading into his sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati following some summertime rest and relaxation.
Alex, who along with his dad, both from Cincinnati, fished with me on the Let’s Get Em’ Charter Boat out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key this past week.
Both anglers were using artificial bait when Alex, fishing with a topwater lure, saw and felt an explosion at the end of his line. After several minutes of drag pulling, and a wildly jumping fish Alex showed his angling ability as he landed one very nice trophy Snook.
We caught several other fish but this is the one he’ll remember for a long time to come.
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
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny) and tarpon in the coastal gulf recently.
Mark Nielson with a false albacore caught and released.
Fly angler Mark Nielson, from Seaford, DE, fished a day with me and despite a water temperature of 85 degrees, Spanish mackerel and false albacore were plentiful in the coastal gulf. I have seen this happen this time of year before but mackerel have usually migrated north by now.
Glass minnow (bay anchovy) schools were thick and predators had them balled up. Mark caught and released several mackerel and ended the day with his first false albacore on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Great job!
Dave Reinhart, from MA, and Domenick Raschella, from VA, fished the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me on another trip and Dave caught and released a tarpon on a live crab with spinning tackle.
Dave Reinhart, from MA, caught and released this tarpon with some help from Capt. Rick Grassett.
Although tarpon fishing is very dependent on conditions, they are plentiful now in the coastal gulf as they migrate through our area to spawn.
Look for tarpon, Spanish mackerel, false albacore and other migratory species in the coastal gulf. Catch and release night snook fishing is also 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. Kelly Kurtz’s Weekly Fishing Report
Nicer weather usually means better fishing.
The last couple of weeks the fishing has been steadily improving. On a couple of days, the seas were calm and we fished off the beaches. Spanish mackerel were crashing large bait schools as well as some large sharks mixed into the fray. Casting spoons provided several good days of action.
Last week I stayed inshore fishing the passes and docks. Fishing with live bait anglers caught and released snook up to 28 inches, along with a few redfish, jacks and mangrove snapper.
We also had a couple of surprises as we released a 20-inch flounder as well as a juvenile Goliath grouper.
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. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Kellen with one of the many mackerel he caught.
Young Kellen is shown here holding one of the many mackerel he caught on his excursion this week with his dad Ryan. We left CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key early in the morning in search of bait or busting fish on the surface.
The first couple of places we looked there was no action. We finally slipped out into the nearshore gulf and our luck soon changed. We saw fish busting the surface and birds diving. After that, the action was fast and furious as we caught ladyfish Spanish mackerel Jack’s and blue runners.
With calm weather expected over the next few days, I am planning on finding those fish again.
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
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with jacks and bluefish in Sarasota Bay and tarpon in the coastal gulf on flies recently.
Bill Morrison, from Anna Maria Island, fished a day in Sarasota Bay with me. The plan was to fly fish for tarpon in the coastal gulf, but conditions wouldn’t allow it. We found some birds working bait on a Sarasota Bay deep grass flat and he caught and released jacks, ladyfish and a bluefish on Clouser flies. Lew Murray, from Tarpon Springs, fly fished for tarpon on another trip with me in the coastal gulf. He had several shots, hooked up and fought the fish to close to the boat before it wore through the bite tippet. A great job on his first ever attempt at fly fishing for tarpon!
Early in the season is always a good time to discuss tarpon fishing etiquette. Give other anglers at least several hundred yards of distance in any direction since tarpon may be moving north or south. Running an outboard may not only ruin your own chances at catching a fish but for others too. Even though a 4-stroke outboard is quiet, it is no substitute for an electric trolling motor. Even electric motors should be used sparingly in deeper water and not at all in shallow water. The shallower the water, the more tarpon will be affected. Treat other anglers with the same respect that you would want to receive and everyone should have a chance to catch a tarpon.
Look for tarpon, Spanish mackerel and other migratory species in the coastal gulf. Catch and release night snook fishing is a dependable option and a good way to beat the heat. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by 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
David Miller with a nice sized Tarpon he battled, caught, and released this week with Capt. Ed.
David Miller and son Zack, from Charlotte NC, enjoyed a beautiful morning of tarpon fishing with me. David landed a very nice fish that weighed in at around 80 pounds.
Zack put two in the air. The hook pulled on one and the other one rubbed through the leader. More bait seems to be showing up off the beach which should translate into more happy tarpon.
This is Captain Ed Hurst wishing you… ‘tight lines and cool breezes.’
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. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Aidan hooked up with a snook at our first spot.
I had a couple of very nice young men on board today from Indiana. Their mother, Angie, booked the trip with me thru Siesta Key’s CB’s Saltwater Outfitters.
Harrison, the older brother of Aidan, hooked up with a snook at our first spot using a topwater lure. Aiden then followed up with another snook using live shrimp under a popping cork. We fished several other spots catching a redfish, ladyfish, and catfish.
The water and weather were perfect for an early summer fishing trip. We also enjoyed seeing the water birds and several dolphins on the bay during the trip.
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. Brandon Naeve’s Weekly Fishing Report
Glenna from Sarasota with her first Tarpon.
The weather in and around Sarasota Bay has been nice with water temperatures are in the mid-’80s. There’s nothing is better than the feeling when you hook your first tarpon. Glenna from Sarasota experienced that feeling this week when she hooked her first Tarpon off of Venice Florida with some help from Capt Brandon Naeve.
The Sarasota Tarpon Tournament just entered the second of its scheduled five-week run, and the thrill of catching and releasing one of these world-class fighters is quite a thrill.
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. Brandon Naeve’s Weekly Fishing Report
Nelson displays a redfish he caught and released.
We experienced a few overcast days this past week but all in all, it made for some pleasant fishing and time well spent on the water.
Rhode Island guy Nelson happily displays this big, beautiful redfish he caught and released in Sarasota Bay unharmed to spawn many more times. Hopefully, he’ll bring us back many more after the nasty red tide issues we had to deal with last year. Water temperatures continue to rise in the Bay and there’s no better time than now to get yourself out 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. Chuck Cress’s Weekly Fishing Report
Conni hauled in this prickly lookin’ blowfish using a popping cork with live shrimp.
You never know what you might catch or see fishing the beautiful waters around Siesta Key. Marvin and Connie visiting from Georgia booked a charter through CB’S Outfitters on Siesta Key and went fishing with me on the Lets Get Em’ Charters boat.
We caught and released several snook as well as losing a few more. Connie, using a popping cork with live shrimp, hauled in this rather handsome looking prickly blowfish. The bay is showing quite an improvement with lots of Mullett and Bait.
Prior to our fishing trip this morning I looked at the Gulf waters off Turtle Beach and saw several tarpon rolling just off the beach. This would be a good time to book a trip inshore or off the beach for the Tarpon.
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.