Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had fast action catching and releasing snook and hefty blues on flies in the ICW at night recently. Spin fishing anglers also had some action with reds and trout on DOA Lures in Gasparilla Sound.

Hal D’Orazio with a trout he caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail fishing the backcountry of Gasparilla Sound.

Hal D’Orazio and Keith McClintock, both from IL, fished Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande with me one day. The water was cold, behind a front and action was slow to start. It warmed enough in the afternoon for them to catch and release a couple of small reds and trout on CAL jigs with shad tails.

Jerry Poslusny, from Palmetto and Rich Hunter, from Longboat Key, fished the ICW at night for snook on a trip with me recently. They had their personal best trip catching and releasing snook and bluefish to 5-lbs on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Fishing dock lights in the evening is usually a good option for catch and release snook fishing this time of year, although it is dependent on tide and conditions.

Tim Hearon with a snook he caught and released on a fly while fishing the ICW at night in the ICW.

Tim Hearon, from Siesta Key, and Martin Marlowe, from NY, also got in on the action. They also caught and released numerous snook and nice blues on the same fly on another trip. Great action and the blues are a welcome addition since they fight as hard as or harder than snook of the same size!

Fishing shallow flats are both challenging and rewarding. It usually requires fishing hard to find and catch fish. You may not catch big numbers of fish but you may catch some good ones.

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!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

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

Team Army was all aboard dispite the cooler temperatures.

Team Army was on board this past week as a former Army football Coach and some ex-players wanted to brave the elements no matter what the temps. I was more than happy to oblige. It was a crisp 55 degrees with 52-degree water temps as we headed out in the morning with two cases of antifreeze on board.

There were plenty of mangrove snapper, a trout, some snook, redfish, and we had a miracle inshore Boat Slam. So if your itching to get out during this cold weather spell, roll the dice and maybe a day like this will happen for you. One thing’s for sure it’ll never happen inside a condo. Call CB’s Saltwater Outfitters and book that fishing charter today.

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

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

There are lots of Dolphins in the intercoastal this time of year because of the cold water in the gulf.

We’ve had some very cold mornings that have affected the fishing and slowed it down until the sun gets out and the warmer water prevails. About 8:30 the bite begins to turn on and from there on out it’s a great day.

There are lots of Dolphins in the intercoastal this time of year because of the cold water in the gulf. If you like to fish and see some Dolphins at the same time Sarasota Bay is the place to be. There are plenty of large jack crevalle, trout, and ladyfish in the bays and fun fishing is at a premium.

There are a few pompanos here and there if you’re looking for one for dinner. CB’s tackle has some inexpensive combo rod and reel setups with line perfect for seawall fishing while you visit. At the end of your stay give it to a kid and make his or her vacation fantastic.

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

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

Rick Anderson, from IL, with a snook he caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail.

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action catching and releasing trout and snook in Gasparilla Sound on CAL jigs with shad tails recently.

Anglers fishing closer to home with me caught and released snook, jacks, and trout on flies and DOA Lures on several trips in Little Sarasota and Terra Ceia Bays. With cooler water behind a couple of fronts we didn’t catch big numbers of fish, but we caught and released a few good ones in skinny water.

Keith McClintock, his son-in-law Rick Anderson and grandson, Nate, from IL, had a good trip with me in Little Sarasota Bay. We fished docks where they caught and released snook and jacks on CAL jigs with shad tails. They also caught and released about a dozen trout in deeper water on CAL jigs and DOA Deadly Combos.

Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL, with a 28 inch snook caught and released.

Keith and Jack McCulloch, from Lakewood Ranch, FL, fished Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande with me on another trip on a blustery day. The day behind a front, it was cold and windy to start. They fished hard and caught and released a couple of good trout and a 28” snook on a CAL jig with a shad tail!

Fishing dock lights in the evening is usually a good option for catch and release snook fishing this time of year, although it is dependent on tide and conditions. Fishing shallow flats are both challenging and rewarding. It usually requires fishing hard to find and catch fish. You may not catch big numbers of fish but you may catch some good ones.

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!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

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

Catching this one made for one of the many nice endings experienced on this trip.

Fishing aboard the “Gone Coastal” with Captain Terry Simmons, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key.

This week was challenging with cold fronts and a few foggy mornings moving through. Clients were able to catch several different species including Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, large Atlantic Sail-Cats and some small Grouper.

We had a chance for some Pompano but didn’t hook up. The fish were chasing the tides moving around looking for food.

Capt. Capt. Terry Simmons

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

Ken Mackenzie and his son Mason, from Chicago, with a nice looking snook.

Ken Mackenzie and son Mason, from Chicago, enjoyed a breezy foggy morning fishing with me out of CB’s Outfitters this past week. The conditions were a little challenging but nowhere close to unfishable.

Ken caught a beautiful snook on a white Mister Twister Exude. Ken and Mason also caught trout, ladyfish and a few small snook.

We fished Little Sarasota Bay south of Pointe Crisp. All fish caught were released and a great time was had by all. Happy fishing!

Capt. Capt. Ed Hurst

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

Corbin and his girlfriend Sarah, who both hail from Indiana, teased this nice looking redfish.

Corbin, shown here with his girlfriend Sarah, teased a nice redfish for a hook up on a topwater lure. Corbi and Sarah, fishing with Corbin’s dad Shannon, caught and released several nice fish on what proved to be one beautiful day out on the water.

The trio from Indiana was down with the family staying on Siesta Key for the holidays. Besides the redfish, they caught trout, snook, and a jack that almost pulled Sarah into the water.

All in all a great way to start the new year!

Capt. Chuck Cress

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

Harriett King with a nice redfish she landed.

Happy New Year to everyone, I Hope you had a great 2018 and that 2019 will be even better. Fishing this week has produced snook, pompano, redfish, jack crevalle, black drum, ladyfish, sheepshead, and mangrove snapper.

The bite has been a bit sporadic. The fish were caught on live shrimp and bucktail jigs working canals and docks. Catch of the week honors go to Harriett King with a beautiful five spotted, 26-inch redfish. Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!

Capt. Capt. Jeffri Durrance

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.

Stan, that is one healthy looking snook.

You could not have asked for a nicer late December day then when I took out father Stan son Todd and Troy for a morning fishing trip on little Sarasota Bay.

These guys were fishermen and knew what to do when they hooked a fish. Picture of Stan holding one of the nice snook they caught. Also caught were redfish jacks and ladyfish.

The fishing is heating up along with the weather. With the warming trend in the weather, the fishing has really started to pick up.

These Kentuckians got the inshore slam.

The fishing Kentuckians as I like to call them were able to get the inshore slam which included a redfish, trout, and snook. Most of our fish were caught on live shrimp with a cork however we did catch Jacks on some topwater plugs.

All fish were released safely. Along with some good fishing my bunch witnessed some dolphins jumping out of the water and doing acrobats.

It was another ‘Chamber of Commerce’ kind of day on the water.

Capt. Chuck Cress

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

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action catching and releasing trout, snook and reds in Gasparilla Sound on DOA Lures and flies recently. Anglers fishing with me also caught and released ladyfish, trout and snook closer to home also on DOA Lures and flies on a couple of trips in Little Sarasota Bay and Roberts Bay.

Rich Hilser, from Marion, NC, with a trout caught and released on a fly while fishing Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande.

Rich Hilser, from Marion, NC, fished a couple of days with me in Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande and had some action catching and releasing trout and ladyfish on Clouser flies.

Adam Theiler, from London, and Kirk Theiler, from IN, fished the same area with me and caught and released several reds, snook, and trout on CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms. They weren’t large fish, but they had a couple of slams on the boat!

Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL, also fished that area with me on another trip and had similar action including a slam.

His last fish of the day was a 28 inch, 8-lb red that was caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail!

Keith McClintock with a 28 inch red he caught and released while fishing Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande.

Fishing dock lights in the evening is usually a good option for catch and release snook fishing this time of year, although it is dependent on tide and conditions.

Fishing shallow flats is both challenging and rewarding. It usually requires fishing hard to find and catch fish. You may not catch big numbers of fish but you may catch some good ones. 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!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

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

It was just fantastic being out on the water durning Christmas week. Click on the photo above and check out our gallery album.

Fishing aboard the “Gone Coastal” with Captain Terry Simmons, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. We had a very productive week catching mostly large jack crevalle with ladyfish and a few speckled trout thrown in to boot.

Early in the morning, it was quite a frenzy with the pelicans and seagulls diving on baits with the jacks corralling and busting the baits around the oyster bars and channels.

Clients threw dark and light colored mister twister exude baits on 3/8 oz jig heads into the frenzy and couldn’t help getting hooked up, sometimes all the clients at the same time. Let’s go fishing when you need a good dose of Vitamin Sea!

Capt. Capt. Terry Simmons

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

Enjoying Christmas Eve on the water in Sarasota.

On Christmas Eve day I took Rick, Cathy, and their daughters Jen and Sylvia on a fishing-sightseeing excursion on beautiful Sarasota Bay.

It was a gorgeous winter day and we saw lots of sites that people generally do not see while visiting Sarasota unless you happen to be in a boat.

Fishing was a little bit of a challenge but sometimes that’s just the way it goes. All in all, we had a wonderful day out on the water.

Capt. Chuck Cress

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

Water temps are down and the fish are biting.

Pompano are starting to frequent the flats as water temperatures are way down into the ’60s and spiking up into the ’70s by midday.

This makes the fish more active and aggressive as they go after artificial baits. CB’s Outfitters has a great selection of artificial baits and the knowledgeable staff can help you find what is hot now.

My group from Michigan has a great day out on the water this past week and caught this beautiful pompano on white artificial shrimp.

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

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

Jerry Roth, from Sanford, FL, with a snook caught and released on a top water plug.

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action catching and releasing trout on flies and trout, reds and snook on CAL Shad tails and topwater plugs in Tampa Bay recently.

Anna Maria Island winter resident, Bill Morrison, fished with me on Weds and caught a few trout on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly. Jerry Roth, from Sanford, FL, fished with me on Thursday and had some action catching and releasing snook on a topwater plug. It’s always fun to watch a snook “blow up” on a topwater plug!

The best trip was on Friday, with the worst conditions, when Jon Yenari and Kyle Ruffing, from Sarasota, fished with me. The weather forecast was for wind and rain late in the day, which was wrong as it rained on us almost the entire day.

Kyle Ruffing had good action while fishing Tampa Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

When it finally quit raining the wind bumped up to above 20-mph. Despite that, they caught and released 3 reds, about 10 trout, and a snook to complete their slam on CAL shad tails. Great job!

Fishing dock lights in the evening is usually a good option for catch and release snook fishing this time of year, although it is dependent on tide and conditions. Fishing shallow flats is both challenging and rewarding. It usually requires fishing hard to find and catch fish.

One of the keys to success is finding clean water, whether it is on the flats or in the ICW. 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!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

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

Steve Totte had a productive morning fishing.

Steve Totte, from Cleveland OH, enjoyed a productive morning of fly fishing for snook this past week fishing with me out of CB’s Outfitters. We used Enrico Puglisi white baitfish patterns and the snook seemed to prefer fly.

We fished Snook Alley in the early morning hours on an outgoing tide. It turned out to be a nice catch and release early morning exercise as all snook must be released this time of year.

Happy fishing and peaceful times to all.

Capt. Capt. Ed Hurst

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

Mike Watkins with a snook caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing dock lights at night with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing snook on flies and DOA Lures at night in Little Sarasota Bay recently.

Mike Watkins, from Sarasota, fished dock lights for snook on a trip with me and had some action catching and releasing snook on CAL jigs with shad tails before dawn. We fished docks and bars after daylight and caught and released a couple more snook on the same lures.

Hilton Bruch and Jan Bailey-Bruch, from St. Pete, also fished dock lights for snook on a night trip with me recently. With a good tide, they had fast action catching and releasing numerous snook and a nice bluefish on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly.

Jan Bailey-Bruch, from St. Pete, had good action catching and releasing snook on Grassett Snook Minnow flies while fishing dock lights at night.

Fishing dock lights in the evening is a good option for catch and release snook fishing. The key to success is finding clean water, whether it is on the flats or in the coastal gulf.

I was the instructor for an “Orvis Fly Fishing 101” introductory fly fishing clinic on Saturday. Students were introduced to the sport of fly fishing and had an opportunity to cast a fly rod.

The next fly fishing event will be an Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing School on Jan 19, 2019. The school will cover fly casting, leader construction, fly selection, and saltwater fly fishing techniques.

The course, designed for beginning and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basics but also work with intermediate casters on correcting faults and improving casting skills. Cost for the class, which will run from 8:30 AM to 2 PM, is $195 per person and includes the use of premium Orvis fly tackle, workbook, and lunch. Contact CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 349-4400 or info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.

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!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

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

December is a great month to fish these waters.

December is here and it’s jigging time, so get out your favorite jig and cover lots of water. Snook are dormant this time of year due to the cold so don’t bother targeting them until spring. However, trout, bluefish, ladyfish, and Jack crevalle are there for the taking.

CB’s tackle has a large selection of jigs and tails, they also get input from their guides on what is working best. If you have small kids along take along a few dozen shrimp for the slower paced dock fishing.

Also, remember that Florida has a high moisture content in the air on most mornings and it can be much colder on the water then what the temperature gauge might indicate.

I always travel with a Patagonia lightweight rain jacket as a windbreaker rain jacket combo! CB’s Outfitters has them in colorful choices and they make a great Christmas gift for the ladies.

I’ll be back from PA on December 6th… Let’s Go Fishing!

Capt. Capt. Brandon Naeve

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

We had some decent fishing last week in the bay.

Anglers fishing with me on the Casual Lies out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters had some decent fishing last week. Some spots we had been fishing had dirty water in them but we did find good fishing in the clean water and around some deeper docks.

CAL jigs in gold and white did the trick on the Trout, Jacks, and Ladyfish. Topwater lures caught a few big Jacks but not like it was a couple of weeks ago.

The best fishing came using live shrimp under the deeper docks. Lots of Mangrove Snapper and a few Black Drum, and some nice Sheepshead are showing up if you’re patient.

Capt. Capt. Bruce Burkhart

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.

John and Emily Sagle, from VA, enjoyed a spectacular morning fishing with me in Little Sarasota Bay. We’re finally experiencing cooler temperatures and being out on the water is now a pleasure. It’s been a long hot summer.

John and Emily caught trout, ladyfish, and bluefish using both spin and fly tackle and had a great day out on the water.

Remember… tight lines and happy hearts!

Capt. Capt. Ed Hurst

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

Stewart Lavelle, from Sarasota, got busy working on his night moves.

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing snook on flies at night and a variety of species on DOA Lures in Little Sarasota Bay during the past week.

Fly angler Stewart Lavelle, from Sarasota, fished dock lights for snook with me on Monday evening. He had good action catching and releasing numerous snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Sarasota winter residents, Mike Perez, and Denton Kent fly fishing the same area with me on Tuesday night.

A front passed through that morning and slowed the action a little although they still had decent action catching and releasing snook on flies.

Michael Dinerman, from Atlanta, with a nice 23″ trout.

Marshall Dinerman and his son Michael, from Atlanta, fished Little Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday. They caught and released jacks, ladyfish, snook and several trout, including a 23” trout.

We fished DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails on the flats and CAL jigs with shad tails around docks. Fishing dock lights in the evening or before dawn is still a good option for catch and release snook fishing. This is also a great time of year to fish the coastal gulf for false albacore, tripletail, and Spanish mackerel when conditions are good. The key to success is finding clean water.

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. Remember to please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Capt. Capt. Rick Grassett

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