Sarasota County Fishing Reports Feb. 22, 2016

With weather beginning to improve, fishing has also seen an increase in different parts of the bay. Fishing captains Jim Klopfer and Rick Grassett report decent action:

Captain Jim Klopfer’s Fishing report:

Capt. Klopfer reports that the key to fishing success has been to get away from dirty water near passes that have been stirred up as a result of Gulf winds. Steady action on flats provided hot action for anglers using red/gold shiner Bass Assassin Sea Shad baits. Most fish were hard fighting ladyfish with speckled trout, pompano bluefish and Spanish mackerel.. Docks, ledges, and oysterbars in Big Pass produced sheepshead, gag grouper, mangrove snapper, redfish, snook and black drum for patient anglers using fresh shrimp.

Learn more about Capt. Klopfer’s week of fishing here.

Captain Rick Grassett’s Fishing report:

Anglers fishing with Capt. Grassett caught trout in Sarasota Bay on CAL jigs with shad tails during the past week. Most fish were caught on edges of bars in about three to four feet of water.

Throughout the week, trout was caught up to 18 inches, and even as big as 24 inches. This week, Capt. Grassett reports trout, bluefish and more should be a good option on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Redfish and big trout could be mixed in with mullet schools or cruising shallow flats and edges of bars in Sarasota Bay.

Learn more about Capt. Grassett’s week of fishing here.