Sarasota Bay
Use floating lines and 12' or longer leaders for tarpon, reds, snook and trout and intermediate sink tip fly lines and weighted flies to fish deep grass flats for trout, blues and more. Fish the ICW at night for snook with intermediate sink tip fly lines and Grassett Snook Minnow flies or Shrimp Gurglers on a floating line.
Fly anglers should do well with a variety of baitfish or crab fly patterns fished on floating or intermediate sink tip fly lines. Staking out or anchoring in shallow water on their travel route should result in some shots at fish. The best angle is a "head on" shot, followed by a quartering shot. A perpendicular shot may work if it's timed perfectly, although casting too far beyond their line of travel will usually spook them. I use a push pole in shallow water if I need to adjust my position to make a cast.
Capt. Rick Grassett's Sarasota, FL Fishing Report for 5/21/2018
Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action recently with tarpon in the coastal gulf. We got shots at tarpon on several trips. A couple of other tarpon trips were slower and had only a couple of shots. Weather has been an issue, with rough water and clouds making sight fishing for tarpon difficult.
Tarpon numbers are increasing as migratory fish arrive along our beaches. Look for tarpon schools to be moving both north and south along our beaches, especially early in the season. Set up in their line of travel and wait for tarpon schools to move past to get a shot at them.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFI Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide at CB's Saltwater Outfitters
Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011
| Grassett's Deep Flats Bunny | chartreuse/tan | 1 or 1/0 | Buy from Orvis.com |
| Lefty's Deceiver | olive/white or brown | 1 or 2 | Buy from Orvis.com |
| Grassett's Snook Minnow | white | 2 & 4 | Buy from Orvis.com |
| Grassett's Flats Minnow | olive | 2 | Buy from Orvis.com |
