Fishing conditions: Capt. Rick Grassett's Fishing Report for 5/12/2019 Anglers fishing with me, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing snook in lower Tampa Bay and snook at night in the ICW on flies recently. We have also seen a few tarpon in Tampa Bay and had a couple of shots with a fly. Mike Perez, from Sarasota, fished a day with me in lower Tampa Bay recently and had some action catching and releasing snook on my Grassett Flats Minnow fly. Adam and Cass Lawson, from Ennis, MT, fished the ICW at night with me recently and had some action catching and releasing snook to 26" on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Snook on the flats and around lighted docks in the ICW has been the best option lately which is a good indication that snook regulations are working. Anglers fishing an inside location (Tampa Bay) saw several tarpon and a couple of large cobia and got shots at them with a fly but no takers. 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
Inshore temperature: 80 Degrees F
Offshore temperature: 81 Degrees F
Type of bait fish are feeding on: Glass minnows, pinfish, crabs and shrimp
Fish species: Tarpon, snook, trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks, false albacore and tripletail
Fishing season: Spring
Nearest airport: Sarasota, FL
Recommended fly fishing leader: 12 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 16 Lb. Tippet
Best fly fishing rod: 9' 8 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Redfish WF Fly Line
Best sinking fly line: Clear Sink Tip Fly Line
Sarasota Bay is a gem, nestled between Tampa Bay to the north and Charlotte Harbor to the south along Florida’s southwest coast. Due to 3 passes that flush the bay and no large tributaries flowing into it, the bay waters are normally very clean and clear. Its turquoise blue waters surrounding the passes may remind you of a Caribbean island and its fine white sand beaches are among the top rated beaches in the ...
Use floating lines and 12' or longer leaders for reds and snook in shallow water and intermediate sink tip fly lines and weighted flies with a 6' or 7' leader 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.
Fishing shallow flats usually requires fishing hard to find and catch fish but it is worth the effort. You may not catch big numbers of fish but you may catch some good ones. Look for migratory species, such as tarpon and Spanish mackerel, in the coastal gulf.
