Capt. Rick Grassett
Posted 1.7.10
Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key before last weekend’s strong front experienced fast action with bluefish to 4 pounds and trout, Spanish mackerel and pompano to 3 pounds on CAL jigs with shad tails and grubs at the Middleground flat in Sarasota Bay. Other anglers fishing the area scored with flies and live shrimp. However, since then I have cancelled several trips because of the cold and wind.
Captain Jim Klopfer of Adventure Charters also reported fast action before the front at the Middleground flat with blues, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish on Cotee jigs and free-lined live shrimp. A trip in Little Sarasota Bay, from Stickney Point to Blackburn Point, produced trout to 18 inches, a nice pompano and ladyfish on Cotee jigs with olive grubs.
Captain Roy String of the Fishin’ Addiction reported decent action Monday with blues, trout and ladyfish on flies and jigs fishing the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway channel in Little Sarasota Bay near Midnight Pass.
With water temperatures in the mid 50s in Sarasota Bay, fishing will be tough until it warms a little. In the meantime, you may be successful by changing your tactics or targeting species that are more tolerant of cold water, such as bluefish, sheepshead, trout or reds. I find that afternoons may have more action with the slightly warmer water. If you just want to bend a rod, you should find blues and large ladyfish schooled on deep grass flats and in channels and passes.
Fishing docks along a protected shoreline is another tactic that may be productive when it’s cold. I like docks with deeper water, a good tidal flow and shell and barnacles on dock pilings and under the dock. Cast a jig, a shrimp-tipped jig or a live shrimp under each dock and work baits slowly along or near the bottom until you locate fish. You might find reds, flounder, sheepshead, jacks and more when fishing this way.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
|
1995 - 2009 Mel-Fin Corp. All rights reserved.