Sarasota: Rick Grassett

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Report for 3/11/2023

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action catching and releasing snook and reds on DOA Lures in Gasparilla Sound and Tampa Bay recently. Anglers also caught and released snook on flies and DOA Lures in the ICW at night. Fly anglers fishing deep grass flats had action with trout, pompano and Spanish mackerel on Clouser flies fished on sink tip fly lines. Red tide has been an issue in and around the passes recently and has been more of an airborne issue in other areas. Due to the nature of red tide, there are areas of clean water, particularly in shallow back country areas.

Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, IL fished a couple of trips with me in Gasparilla Sound and Tampa Bay. Stephen Liska, from Naples, joined Keith in Gasparilla Sound and caught and released several snook, trout and a red to complete his slam on CAL jigs with shad tails.  Jack McCulloch, from Lakewood Ranch, fished Tampa Bay with Keith and they caught and released several snook and a red on CAL jigs with shad tails.

Jerry Poslusny, from Palmetto, and Rich Hunter, from Longboat Key, snook fished in the ICW at night with me recently and had some action catching and releasing several snook on Grassett Snook Minnow flies and CAL jigs with shad tails. 

Look for reds and trout in skinny water. Deep grass flats are usually a good option for action with trout, blues, pompano, Spanish mackerel and more. Snook fishing around dock lights and bridges should also be a good option now. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides and other algae blooms fueled by residential, industrial and agricultural runoff, toxic spills and intentional releases, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett

FFI Certified Fly Casting Instructor

Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide and Casting Instructor/CB’s Saltwater Outfitters

Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011

Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.

www.snookfin-addict.com and www.flyfishingflorida.us 

E-mail snookfin@aol.com

(941) 923-7799 (office/land line