Fishing Casey Key

 

Capt. Jim Klopfer
May 18, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Fishing was steady again this week, improving towards the end of the week. Friday and Saturday were both VERY good. Speckled trout to 26″, silver trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, sea bass, ladyfish, jacks and more hit live shrimp, Gulp! Shrimp, and flies on the grass flats in Sarasota Bay. The deep grass north of Siesta Key to New Pass were the most productive for my clients this week. Silver trout continue to provide action and meals.

 

Bob Veierstahler, Larry Foeckler, and Allan Foeckler from Wisconsin had a good mixed-bag trip on Monday. The special caught included speckled trout to 18″, silver trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jack crevelle, ladyfish, and sailcats. Gulp! Shrimp and live shrimp worked equally well at the Radio Tower and Marina Jack flats.

 

Joel Herbert and Sammy Taylor from Pendleton, SC caught a lot of fish on Tuesday morning near Bird Key. We started off at the Radio Tower, where action was fair, with the boys landing a few trout and ladyfish. A move to a deep grass flat near Bird Key and free lining shrimp resulted in non-stop action on ladyfish, speckled trout to 18″, and a couple of big mackerel that bit us off. We finished up at a nearby flat, landing several nice silver trout and a 17″ speckled trout on Gulp! Shrimp.

 

On Wednesday and Thursday, Emmaly and Aaron Crouse from Park City, Utah did some fly fishing. Both are excellent anglers and good casters. On Wednesday we hit the Radio Tower, Marina Jack, and Bird Key flats, catching speckled trout, ladyfish, silver trout, and a snapper using chartreuse/white Clousers. On Thursday we header up north; the best spot was Helicopter Shoal, where several slot trout and large ladyfish took dark green/white and chartreuse/white Clousers. We finished up at the Marina Jack flat with several trout, ladyfish, and a Spanish mackerel.

 

The silver trout bite was terrific on Friday! Denise and Jim Markovic from Atlanta, GA caught a mess of these feisty fish using Gulp! Shrimp near Bird Key. They also caught a bunch of ladyfish, speckled trout, and sea bass free-lining live shrimp and casting Gulp! near Bird Key and in Big Pass.

 

Phil Steward, his wife Deb, and daughters Kate and Bethany fished with me on Saturday morning and had a great trip both in numbers and in quality. We made a quick drift at the Radio Tower, not much happening. A move to the Bird Key flats resulted in steady action on ladyfish, speckled trout to 18″, and a Spanish mackerel. Action slowed, so we moved to a nearby reliable silver trout spot. Bethany had never used artificial lures before, but after a few minutes she started wrecking the silvers using Gulp! on a jig head. She also caught a 25″ speckled trout! Kate added a 20″ trout and a couple of silver trout. We finished up in Big Pass with non-stop action on ladyfish, mostly on shrimp but Phil caught several on fly.

Capt. Jim Klopfer
May 11, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Fishing was steady once again this week on the deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Gulp! Shrimp on a 1/4 ounce Cotee jig head caught most of the fish, though clients also caught fish on live shrimp. Species total for the week included redfish, speckled trout to 20″, silver trout to 16″, flounder to 18″, Spanish mackerel to 2 pounds, bluefish, black sea bass, jack crevelle, ladyfish, and sailcats. Bream are available in Upper Myakka Lake and Lake Manatee.

 

It was quite breezy on Sunday and Monday, no fishing for me. On Tuesday I had a full day with Sarasota resident Doc Dojutrek, who was treating himself to a fishing trip for his birthday. Action was steady on the flats at Marina Jack, Radio Tower, and the Moorings. Speckled trout to 20″, silver trout to 16″, Spanish mackerel to 2 pounds, jack crevelle, ladyfish hit Gulp! Shrimp and live shrimp. The silver trout bite was very good and we put a dozen or so in the box for a few meals.

 

On Wednesday I went out to Myakka River State Park with Bonnie Czepiel. Fishing was pretty slow, we caught some bream using live worms and black Beetlespins and we each lost a big “mystery” fish.

 

Cody Thompson from Madison, WI fished with me on Thursday. Action was steady on a variety of species using Gulp! Shrimp and live shrimp. We started off in Big Pass just as the tide had turned to come in. Drifting with the current and free lining shrimp and casting jigs resulted in several jack crevelle and ladyfish. A move to the nearby deep flats produced a pair of 20″ speckled trout along with a bunch of smaller fish, silver trout to 14″, sea bass, jacks, and ladyfish. Most were caught using Gulp! Shrimp. We finished up catching a redfish on a live shrimp in Robert’s Bay.

 

Andrew Court from NYC took his friends Kira and Niels out fishing on Friday. Action was steady, nothing spectacular, but very similar to Thursday’s trip. Silver trout, speckled trout to 16″, sea bass, ladyfish, and other species hit Gulp! Shrimp and live shrimp on the deep flats near the Ringling Bridge.

 

Staurday’s charter with Dave Betts and his two grown sons (22 and 25) Phil and Marshall who also live in the NYC area, was the best of the week. We started off at the Radio Tower flat and quickly got socked in by the fog. No worries, however, as the fish were biting! Casting Gulp! Shrimp produced speckled trout to 20″, silver trout to 12′, sea bass, flounder, ladyfish, and sailcats. A move to the Middlegrounds resulted in jacks crevelle, ladyfish, and more trout. The Moorings and Bishop’s Pt. gave up a more trout along with a bluefish and a Spanish mackerel. We finished up at Helicopter Shoal with a fat 18″ flounder. Great trip with great guys!!

 

Capt. Jim Klopfer
May 4, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Fishing was decent this week, though it did slow down a bit later in the week in terms of numbers. Speckled trout to 20″, silver trout to 16″, jack crevelle, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish, sailcats, and sea bass hit Gulp! Shrimp on the deep grass flats near Big Pass. Bream are fairly actice in Upper Myakka Lake.

 

I had a day off on Monday so I headed out to Myakka River State Park with my 14′ Alumacraft to fish Upper Myakka Lake for panfish. It was quite breezy and it took a while to locate the fish, but once I did I filled the cooler in short order. Nothing huge, but most of the ‘gills were between 6″ and 8″, along with a bass and a big gar. I only used a 1/16 once black Beetlespin. I fished the tidal portion of the Myakka near Venice on Thursday afternoon and it was slow, that section is better in the cooler months.

 

On Tuesday Jim Sandusky from Canton, MI, his son Scott, and son in law Steve Seese had a good trip with very steady action. Despite weak tides, the fishing on the deep grass flats near Big Pass was very productive. They had promised the ladies a fish dinner, and they came through! Casting Gulp! Shrimp on a 1/4 ounce jig head, the boys caught speckled trout to 19″, silver trout to 15″, jack crevelle, sea bass, bluefish, and sailcats. Two slot speckled trout and eight nice silver trout went in the box with everything else released. A fun morning with great guys!

 

Andrew Coren from NYC and his brother Michael Coren from Dallas, TX experienced decent action on Wednesday, catching speckled trout to 20″ silver trout to 15″, bluefish, jacks, sea bass, and ladyfish using Gulp! Shrimp near Big Pass.

 

7 year old Odin Medrick outfished his dad John Medrick and grandfather Gary McClellan on Friday. Casting Gulp! Shrimp, he caught speckled trout, silver trout, bluefish, jacks, 2 species of catfish, sea bass, and ladyfish. John pitched in for dinner by putting a decent Spanish mackerel and a couple of bluefish in the box to go along with the half dozen silvers that Odin caught. Marker #5 and Marina Jacks were the best spots.

 

Saturday’s charter with Dan Hoffman, Gordon Nedwed, and Bill Matta was similar on a breezy morning. They did not catch a ton of fish and we spent a fair amount of time on the silver trout, putting a dozen in the box for dinner., along with releasing ladyfish, speckled trout, a sailcats.

 

Capt. Jim Klopfer
April 27, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Strong incoming tides in the morning along with fantastic weather resulted in very productive trips this week. Bluefish, ladyfish, and Spanish mackerel were feeding in the passes first thing. We caught most of the fish on Cotee jigs and several using Rapala X-Raps. As the tide increased, we moved to the nearby deep grass flats and caught speckled trout, silver trout, mackerel, bluefish, sea bass, jack crevelle, and ladyfish using Cotee jigs, Gulp! Shrimp, and live shrimp. Snook and jack crevelle are along the mangrove shorelines in Robert’s Bay. Live pilchards are the best bet.

 

On Sunday Ed Burt and his father-in-law John Carroll from New London, NH had a good mixed bag trip on Sunday. They had promised the girls a fish dinner, so I went right to the silver trout near the Ringling Bridge and put ten nice ones in the box using Gulp! Shrimp and released speckled trout, ladyfish, and jacks. We moved to the Bird Key flats and added a pair of nice Spanish mackerel to the box free-lining live shrimp along with more speckled trout and ladyfish.

 

Steve Light from CT took his teen age boys Aaron and Seth out fishing. They wanted some fish for dinner, so I hit my reliable silver trout spot and we put ten or so in the box using gulp! Shrimp. With dinner secured, it was just “fun fishing” time. For the next two hours action was virtually non-stop free lining live shrimp on the deep flats. Most of the fish were ladyfish, with a few trout, jacks, and a nice Spanish mackerel.

 

Jack Femmel from Chicago and his buddy Bill had a very good trip. Casting Cotee jigs and Gulp! Shrimp in Big Pass and the surrounding flats produced steady action on a variety of species. Speckled trout, silver trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jack crevelle, sea bass, and ladyfish were caught that morning.

 

Sarasota resident Bonnie Czepiel experienced great action on Saturday morning. We started off catching ladyfish and bluefish in Big Pass using Cotee jigs and Rapala X-Raps. A move to the deep flats resulted in speckled trout, silver trout, jacks, bluefish, ladyfish, and sea bass using Gulp! Shrimp. My buddy Capt Roy string gave me a net full of pilchards and Bonnie caught several snook to 22″, her first ever, along the mangroves in Robert’s Bay.

Capt. Jim Klopfer
April 20, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Silver trout fishing was outstanding this week! Although not large (15″ is a nice one), they are tasty, aggressive, and put up a good battle for their size. Most of the silvers caught this week hit Gulp! Shrimp. Speckled trout to 20″, gag grouper to 14″, Spanish mackerel to 2 pounds, jack crevelle, ladyfish, and sailcats hit jigs and live shrimp on the deep grass near Big Pass. Freshwater fishing was good in Lake Manatee; big bluegills and decent catfish hit Beetlespins and live worms.

 

Saturday afternoon I went out to Lake Manatee and did well on big bluegill, small bass, and a nice catfish using black Beetlespins and live worms. On Sunday Beth Higgins caught speckled trout, silver trout, jacks, and ladyfish using live shrimp and Gulp! Shrimp on the flats near Big Pass. The silver trout bite was hot!

 

John Spelky, his wife Amy, and daughter Cora (9) had an excellent morning on Wednesday. We started off at Marker #5, catching ladyfish, speckled trout, and jacks on Gulp! and free lined shrimp. They wanted a few fish for dinner, so I headed over to a reliable silver trout spot near Marina Jack; and it did not disappoint. In short order, ten fat silver trout went in the box, most came on jigs. We finished up near Bird Key with Amy catching a Spanish mackerel and the others landing a few trout on shrimp.

 

Matt Smith and his wife Jessica experienced steady action on Thursday morning. Very seldom did either go more than a few casts without a bite. Casting Glow Gulp! Shrimp over the deep flats near Big Pass resulted in speckled trout to 17 1/2″, silver trout to 14″, jack crevelle, Spanish mackerel, and ladyfish.

 

Jim Mitchell from Longboat Key and his brother-in-law charlie Beard from WI had to work a bit harder on Friday. The wind cranked up early, making for tough conditions. the boys caught a pair of slot speckled trout, 20″ and 18″, several silver trout, ladyfish, jacks, and a gag grouper using gulp! Shrimp and live shrimp before the wind chased us off the water.

Capt. Jim Klopfer  (941) 371-1390
April 13, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Fishing was productive this week with a nice variety of species being caught and plenty of fresh fish for dinner going home with happy clients. Bluefish to 3 pounds, Spanish mackerel to 3 1/2 pounds, silver trout to 16″, speckled trout to 21″, pompano, flounder, jacks, and ladyfish fell for Cotee jigs, Gulp! Shrimp, Rapala X-Raps, Clouser Minnow flies, and live shrimp. Both Big Pass and New Pass were productive as were the nearby deep grass flats. A trip to the Myakka River produced snook, bass, and tilapia using Rapalas and Beetlespins.

 

On Sunday Ed Okerson from Plano, TX and his friend Teijo from Finland went out on a morning charter, fishing was good, but it would have been better had the dolphins not been so aggressive. They are cool to watch, but three times, in Big Pass, Bird Key, and Radio Tower, we got the fish going and the dolphins came in and shut them down. Still, Teijo caught a 3 1/2 lb Spanish mackerel on a free lined shrimp. They also caught speckled trout to 17″ and ladyfish on shrimp and Gulp! baits.

 

 

On Monday Allen Hartman from Roanoke, VA did some fly and spin fishing. We started off fly casting, but action was sporadic with Allen catching a pair of jacks and several speckled trout. The wind picked up so he changed to a Glow Gulp! Shrimp on a spinning outfit and experienced steady action on speckled trout, silver trout, a pair of nice Spanish mackerel, and plenty of ladyfish. The Radio Tower and Marina Jack flats were the best spots.

 

 

I had two trips on Tuesday. In the morning, Dean and Kiya Genthe, their daughter Jarge, and Uncle Dan had a very good trip. We started off in Big Pass where large bluefish and Spanish mackerel hit gold Cotee jigs, trolled Rapala X-Raps and free lined live shrimp. Action slowed after the dolphins showed up so we moved to the Radio Tower where it was steady on trout and ladyfish. We finished up near Marina Jacks catching ladyfish, silver trout, and speckled trout. In the afternoon, Greg Wallace from GA treated his grandson Caleb Taff to his first “real” fishing trip. The silver trout bite was hot with Caleb besting grandpa as far as size goes. A dozen nice silver trout, one slot speckled trout, a Spanish mackerel, and a flounder went into the box. Most of the fish were caught on Gulp shrimp near Big Pass.

 

 

Later in the week I took out brothers Menash and Elihou Murad from the New York City area. We did not catch a ton of fish, but did get some quality. Using free lined shrimp and Cotee jigs they put a pair of bluefish to 3 pounds, two average Spanish mackerel, a pompano, and three speckled trout going 21″, 19″, and 18″ in the box. They also caught a dozen ladyfish. All were caught in or near Big Pass.

 

On Friday it was blowing 30 knots + out of the south, so i decided to go scout on my own on the Myakka River near Venice. Action was fair, I caught a couple of small snook, a really fat 3 pound bass, and several big tilapia.

Capt. Jim Klopfer  (941) 371-1390
April 6, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

A nasty front moved through mid-week, but fishing was very good before and after the weather passed. The deep flats near both passes were very good, as were the passes themselves. Spanish mackerel and speckled trout numbers were good, along with bluefish, flounder, silver trout, sea bass, jacks, and of course ladyfish, mixed in. Gulp! Shrimp, Cotee jigs, and live shrimp were all productive. The sheepshead bite is winding down.

 

The week started off with a good trip on Easter Sunday for Jim Rokicki from Pittsburgh, PA and his 16 year old grand son Andrew. Spanish mackerel were hitting free lined shrimp in Big Pass, along with a nice bluefish. A move to the surrounding flats resulted in more macks, ladyfish, speckled trout, and a big silver trout on shrimp and jigs. We hit a dock and caught several sheepshead on shrimp. We finished up at Marker #5 with good ladyfish action using gold cotee jigs.

 

The Manby clan from Brookfield, WI wrecked the Spanish mackerel on Monday morning. Using free lined shrimp in and near Big Pass, they boated close to two dozen up tp 3 1/2 pounds. They also landed a nice flounder, a decent bluefish, speckled trout, and plenty of ladyfish.

 

I had a bunch of very young ladies on the boat today, and did they ever catch some fish! Todd Bruce from Minneapolis, MN and his daughters Hazel (7) and Ruby (10) did very well in the morning. It was quite foggy to start out, so we stuck close and hit the Radio Tower flat. Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, speckled trout, jack crevelle, and silver trout hit free lined shrimp. The fog lifted and I ran to Big Pass where the mackerel bite was good. Spanish to 3 1/2 pounds kept the girls busy. We finished up with a sheepshead (the girls wanted to see one) under a dock. In the afternoon, Lisa and Dave Stein from KY and their 3 young girls caught ladyfish, spanish mackerel, speckled trout, and silver trout in Big Pass and the nearby deep flats.

 

I had two similar trips on Wednesday. In the morning Mike Brown and his son Mitch (12) went fishing. Young Mitch kicked his Dad’s behind, catching most of the fish. Speckled trout (several in the slot), Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and flounder hit shrimp and jigs. In the afternoon, George Benson from Rocky River, OH took his son Lee and two grandsons out. It was breezy and fishing was fair. The Radio Tower flat was the best spot, giving up a pair of 18″ trout and a couple of mackerel using Gulp! and live shrimp. Thursday and Friday were rain-outs.

 

On Saturday Ian Warsop and his teenage boys Mitch, Bryson, and Lawrie had a friendly competition. Dad Ian spanked the boys numbers-wise using a Glow Gulp! Shrimp, he caught speckled trout, ladyfish, a sea bass, and a big silver trout. The Radio Tower was the best spot. They ended up with four slot trout to 18″, two Spanish mackerel, and the big silver in the box along with other silver and speckled trout, ladyfish, and more released.

 

Capt. Jim Klopfer  (941) 371-1390
March 30, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Weather continued to be the story. Strong winds and unseasonably cool temperatures resulted in less than ideal conditions. The ability to adapt to those conditions was the key to success. Still, plenty of nice fish were caught on charters this week. As Capt Ed would say, “You aren’t going to catch them sitting on your couch!”. The weather did improve late in the week. Sheepshead fishing was very reliable and provided meals for anglers. Speckled trout and ladyfish were steady on the deep flats, with a decent number of slot trout. Silver trout hit jigs in the deeper dredge areas around Bird Key and Golden Point. Spanish mackerel, flounder, and black sea bass were also caught on trips this week.

 

I took Sunday off and Monday it was blowing 25+ out of the northwest, so I moved my trip to later in the week. Long-time client Dave Buckley from Gettysburg, PA went out on Tuesday. The morning started off nice, cool, but with a 10 knot wind out of the northeast. We caught some silver trout on jigs near Marina Jack and then caught ladyfish and trout free-lining shrimp near Bird Key. A move to the docks resulted in a bunch of sheepshead, several of which were solid 3 pound “chunks”, and a nice black sea bass. The wind picked up and we hit a couple of protected spots behind Bird Key, catching more speckled trout and ladyfish.

 

Kevin Lyons and his son Jackson from Chicago, IL faced cool, breezy conditions on Wednesday, but still had a very good fishing trip. We left at 11:00 and hit the Radio Tower flat where they caught speckled trout to 16″ and ladyfish on jigs and shrimp. We moved over to the Marina Jack area and put a half dozen silver trout in the box. A move to the Bird Key docks resulted in a trio of 2 lb sheepshead on ice and several more released. The breeze picked up and we finished up with steady catch and release action on trout, flounder, Spanish mackerel, and ladyfish hiding behind Lido Key and Ken Thompson Island free lining live shrimp.
David Wahba from New York and his 11 year old son Charlie had a very good trip on Thursday. Again, we let it warm up and went later in the morning. We started off catching ladyfish and speckled trout in Robert’s Bay using shrimp and jigs. Fish was on the menu for dinner, so I ran to some docks in Big Pass and they did not disappoint. Five decent sheepshead and a flounder went in the cooler with more released. We hit some deep grass edges and caught more speckled trout, ladyfish, and a flounder.

 

I had two trips on Friday, and both were similar. Michelle and Randy Boller from MI and their two boys worked the docks near Big Pass for sheepshead to 4 pounds. They also caught several silver trout on jigs. We finished up with an insane ladyfish bite using jigs. In the afternoon, Dave Buckley and his son Brady from Gettysburg, PA caught ladyfish and trout using Gulp! Shrimp and caught some nice sheepies under docks. Brady finished up the trip with a 2 1/2 Spanish mackerel at the Radio Tower on Gulp!

 

Gil Fitzgerald and his son Gilly from Chicago had a vert good trip on Saturday morning. Action on the deep flats was steady using jigs and free lined shrimp. Most of the fish were ladyfish, some quite large, but Gilly caught two Spanish mackerel, including a nice 3 1/2 pound fish. We also hit some docks and put a half dozen sheepshead in the boat.

Capt. Jim Klopfer  (941) 371-1390
March 23, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Weather was once again the story this week. Unseasonably cool temperatures and breezy conditions made fishing a little more difficult that it should be for the middle of March. Still, action was good for anglers willing to adapt to the conditions. The sheepshead bite has been very reliable. Small live shrimp fished near structure in Big Pass put meals on the table for clients this week. Speckled trout to 18″, big silver trout, ladyfish, and Spanish mackerel provided steady action on the deep flats at the Radio Tower, Moorings, middlegrounds, and Marker #5 for anglers casting jigs, plugs, and flies.

 

I started the week off with a fly fishing charter. Tom Lade from used an 8 wt outfit and caught a dozen ladyfish and 6 speckled trout. Several of the trout were between 15″ and 17″. Chartreuse/white Clousers at Marina Jacks and Radio Tower flats caught them.

 

Bob Siemering and his 18 year old son John from MA went out on Monday morning. There were breaking fish near the Siesta Drive bridge and we caught a few ladyfish first off. Drifts at the middlegrounds, Moorings, and Radio Tower produced some small trout with a pair in the slot, a Spanish mackerel, and plenty of big ladyfish on free lined shrimp. The wind picked up and we finished up with a few more fish near Bird Key then called it a few minutes early with threatening weather on the way.

 

On Tuesday I ran a group trip will all the other guides out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters with a bunch of people in the generator business. These trips are a lot of fun with some good-natured ribbing involved. Action was steady on speckled trout, silver trout, and ladyfish using jigs and Gulp! Shrimp at Marker #5 and the Radio Tower flats. We also caught a half dozen Spanish mackerel using Rapala X-Raps. Wednesday morning it was raining, so no fishing.

 

Gino Picciano from Montreal, Canada, his brother Bruno, and son Matt had a decent morning on Thursday. Once again, it was breezy, and they wanted enough for dinner, so we concentrated on docks and stucture in big Pass using shrimp. Ten sheepshead, a pair of mangrove snapper, and a flounder went in the box. We spend a little time on the deep grass and caught ladyfish and speckled trout, including one 17″ trout, using jigs.

 

Brad Mueller and his friend Drew Johnson from Cincinnati, OH had a similar day on Friday. We put fat sheepies in the box, including a nice fish pushing 4 pounds. We fished up with ladyfish, small trout, and several small, but legal mackerel using Glow Gulp! Shrimp.

 

Rich Ruis from Ann arbor, MI, his son Tom, and a couple of friends had another day like those earlier in the week. We hit the docks early, caught some sheepies, then fished the deep flats and had steady action on speckled trout to 17″, a pair of 14″ silver trout, and ladyfish using jigs and live shrimp.

Capt. Jim Klopfer  (941) 371-1390
March 16, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Fishing the deep grass flats was very productive early in the week as a severe front was approaching. Fish are usually VERY active as they sense a big change in barometric pressure. The bite continued after the front passed, though we had to deal with cool, windy conditions. The deep flats near Big Pass were quite productive for anglers casting jigs and live shrimp this week. Pompano, speckled trout, silver trout, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, flounder, and ladyfish were caught on the deep grass this week. The sheepshead bite was on! I had several clients wanting enough fish for a meal. Fishing shrimp on the bottom near docks in Big Pass put enough sheepies in the box in short order. We also caught gag grouper, mangrove snapper, and flounder.

 

Pat Richardson from Indiana and his buddy Charlie Booth who lives in Homassassa, FL had a good morning of mixed-bag fishing on Sunday. Using Cotee jigs they caught ladyfish and a pompano in Big Pass. A move to the flats in the Yacht Club Channel resulted in more ladyfish and a Spanish mackerel on jigs. I saw some macks jumping so I switched to Rapala X-Raps and we put several more in the boat. We finished up at Marker #5 as the wind picked up catching ladyfish and speckled trout.

 

Action was virtually non-stop for Steve Cook and his son Drew and Drew’s buddy Phil who were in town from Canada. A front was approaching and it was blowing hard out of the south. Casting gold Cotee jigs and Glow Gulp! Shrimp at Marker #5, Marina Jacks, and the Radio Tower produced plenty of big ladyfish, along with speckled trout to 16″, a couple of keeper flounder, and a 2 lb Spanish mackerel. Tuesday was a no-go as it rained early then blew 20+ knots in the afternoon.

 

Joe Walsh from Dayton, OH and a couple of friends did well on Wednesday despite breezy conditions. The boys wanted enough fish for a meal, so I headed into Big Pass in search of pompano and mackerel. It was a bit too windy and no bites, so I moved into the Yacht Club Channel where they caught ladyfish and short trout using jigs. We then hit some docks along Bird Key where they put a half dozen sheepshead and a mangrove snapper in the box using live shrimp. We finished up with a hot bite near Marina Jacks, catching big ladyfish, small trout, and a Spanish mackerel using Cotee jigs and Gulp! Shrimp.

 

John and Amy Lorenz from St Paul, MN took out their two boys Mitch (10) and Nick (10) out on Thursday. It was cool and very windy, so we left CB’s at 11:00 in the morning. A stop at the Field Club flat produced several ladyfish. The wind eased up and we made a couple of long drifts at the Marina Jack flat, catching speckled trout (one keeper), ladyfish, and a nice bluefish. They wanted a couple more fish for dinner, so we hit a dock on Bird Key and quickly put 4 sheepshead in the cooler, and released several more along with 4 flounder. All the fish were caught using shrimp.

 

Tim Sledz and his father Bill from CT caught speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and a pair of big silver trout casting gold Cotee jigs and Gulp! Shrimp on the flats near Big Pass on Friday.

 

Bob Siemering, his son John, and a couple of friends did very well on Saturday. We started off in Big Pass at dead low tide; no bites. As the tide started moving, we caught ladyfish, speckled trout, and a nice silver trout and a Spanish mackerel near Otter Key. The boys needed enough fish for dinner and the sheepshead were chewing! They put 6 keepers in the box in 15 minutes. We finished up with steady action at Marker #5 and Marina Jacks, catching ladyfish and trout on jigs and shrimp.

Capt. Jim Klopfer  (941) 371-1390
March 9, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

The weather has been unseasonably cool and breezy in March after a fantastic January and February. Water temperatures are in the upper 50′s where they should be in the low 70″s. Still, action on the deep grass flats has been very good! Loads of decent sized ladyfish kept rods bent and anglers bust with speckled trout, silver trout, and Spanish mackerel sprinkled in. Fly fishermen scored using bright Clousers while anglers using spinning tackle did well with jigs and live shrimp. Docks and oyster bars produced snook, sheepshead, and large speckled trout for anglers using live shrimp.

 

On Monday Nathan Adams from Seattle, WA and his dad Mike went out to do some fishing. It was cool and breezy and Nate is a fly fisherman. Not great conditions, but Nate caught a dozen ladyfish on pink/white and chartreuse/white Clousers at the Radio Tower and Marker #5 flats. Mike pitched in with 20 or so trout and ladyfish using “New Penny” Gulp! Shrimp.

 

Janet and Rich Guelfi from Elmhurst, IL had a god trip on Tuesday. It was cool early, but warmed up quickly and was a beautiful morning. Free lined shrimp produced speckled trout to 16″, silver trout to 14″, and ladyfish at Marker #5. Janet caught a 21″ in the Yacht Club Channel along with smaller trout and more ladyfish. They kept 3 smaller slot trout for dinner and released the big girl to make babies.

 

It was blowing 30 knots on Wednesday, so no fishing. Jeff Bishop from Poland, OH went out on Thursday. We waited a bit for it to warm up and left CB’s at 10:30. With all the wind I expected to find the water on the flats near Big Pass to be dirty, but it wasn’t bad. Action was very good using Gulp! Shrimp and Cotee jigs. Most of the fish were ladyfish, but we also caught speckled trout and a nice Spanish mackerel. Jeff finished the trip with a 22″ trout off an oyster bar on a large live shrimp.

 

Long-time client Bill LaPierre from Massachusetts had a good trip on Friday. Ladyfish, speckled trout, and Spanish mackerel hit gold Cotee jigs at Marker #5 and in the Yacht Club Channel. We finished up working docks in Robert’s Bay and Bill caught a pair of 2 lb sheepshead and 5 snook to 24″ on live shrimp.

 

The bite was a bit slow on Saturday for fly fisherman Norm Robakiewicz from MI. He caught ladyfish and trout using pink/white Clousers near Big Pass.

Capt. Jim Klopfer  (941) 371-1390
March 2, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

The deep grass flats throughout the area continue to provide good action on a variety of species. Speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, pompano, bluefish, ladyfish, and silver trout are hitting jigs and live shrimp in five to eight feet of water. Sheepshead fishing has been very good around structure in both passes. Live shrimp produced well for me. A cold front late in the week shut down fishing over the weekend. Action should resume as it warms up.

 

Bill Thiel from Naperville, IL took out a couple of friends early in the week. Bill had promised his wife enough fillets for a fish fry, so we targeted docks along Bird Key. The boys put eight sheepies in the box, making dinner a done deal. They also caught ladyfish in Big Pass and speckled trout near Marina Jacks. They finished up with several silver trout to add to the fish fry.

 

Later in the week Ray Moreland from Bannockburn, IL and his father-in-law Deke Brinkman, a Sarasota resident, went out on a charter. Ray likes the challenge of targeting larger fish, so we left early and worked the Intracoastal Waterway near Phillippi Creek with Rapalas. Other than a 16″ speckled trout, nothing was hapenning. We ran up to the Middlegrounds and caught a Spanish mackerel on a free lined shrimp and several ladyfish on gold Cotee jigs. The Radio Tower flat produced more ladyfish. We finished up in the Gran Canal on Siesta Key, trolling Rapala X-Raps and catching several jack crevelle to 6 pounds.

Capt. Jim Klopfer
February 23, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Once again, fishing was good in a variety of locations, using several different techniques. This week I did some live bait bottom fishing, casting lures on the flats, fly fishing, and a river snook trip. The most consistent action was found on the grass flats in five to seven feet of water near both passes. Jigs, flies, and live shrimp produced Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, pompano, buefish, and ladyfish. The flats south of Midnight Pass have plenty of ladyfish and some speckled trout scattered about. Bottom fishing with shrimp around docks and structure in both passes has been very productive for sheepshead, gag grouper, and mangrove snapper. A Myakka River trip resulted in a half dozen snook on Rapalas.

 

 

Keith Williams and his son Thomas from the UK fished with me on Monday. It was breezy and it was the day after a front, so we opted for an afternoon trip down south, in Osprey Bay. Action was steady on ladyfish with a few speckled trout and a flounder. Gold jigs out-fished live shrimp on this trip.

 

 

On Tuesday Brenda and Tom Van Dyne from Mayer, MN took their 12 year old girls Jaymes Marie and Sarah out on their first saltwater trip, and they did great! We started off catching ladyfish and trout near the Field Club, then moved to Marker # 5 and had steady action on ladyfish, speckled trout, and a Spanish mackerel. Tom caught his fish, including the mack, on a gold Cotee jig and the girls all free-lined live shrimp. Jaymes caught a nice 17″ trout. The breeze picked up so we worked docks along Bird Key and Sarah and Jaymes caught several nice sheepshead to 3 pounds. We finished up back at Marker #5 catching some big ladyfish.

 

 

Peg Heaslip from Osprey, FL had her son Ben and his friend Jeff in visiting from Canada, so she took them fishing. We started off catching trout and ladyfish at Marker #5. Peg loves sheepshead, so we hit some docks along Bird Key. Action was sporadic on grouper, snapper, and sheepshead; there was no tide or wind and it was just too still. I made a move to Big Pass in search of deeper water and hopefully a little tide. The move paid off as we finished up with a flurry with a dozen sheepshead to 3 pounds and several decent bluefish.

 

 

Ryan Medford from Brinkley, AR experienced steady action at the Middlegrounds, Country Club Shores, and the Moorings on Thursday. The dolphins kept chasing us off of spots, but each time we moved the “catching” resumed quickly. Gulp! Shrimp, Trigger-X Shrimp, and Cotee jigs were all productive, fooling Spanish mackerel, pompano, speckled trout, bluefish, and ladyfish.

 

 

Dan Vukmer from Columbus, OH spent the morning fly fishing on Friday. Action was steady at Marker #5, the Yacht Club Channel, and the Radio Tower flat. Dan caught a couple dozen fish including speckled trout, ladyfish, and a nice Spanish mackerel. He also got cut off several times and had numerous fish on. Clousers in white and chartruese/white did well. Dan read about guys catching trout in Florida on a “Grey Fred”, which is a variation on a Wooly Bugger, and darn if he didn’t catch the mackerel on it! The last hour was tough as the wind really cranked up and it was difficult to find any protection.

 

 

Bill LaPierre from Massachusetts wanted to try the Myakka River on Saurday. Action was fair, we landed 6 snook, lost a couple, and missed a couple. The water temperature in the river is 72 degrees, which is a bit high for this time of year.

 

 

Capt. Jim Klopfer
February 16, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Charters this week were an even mix of structure and deep grass fishing. Docks throughout the area were reliable for sheepshead, snapper, grouper, and flounder. This is primarily bottom fishing with live shrimp. Deep flats produced Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, silver trout, flounder, sea bass, bluefish, sea bass, and plenty of ladyfish. The Middlegrounds and Marker #5 were the best spots. Gold Cotee jigs, glow Gulp! Shrimp, Rapala X-Raps, and live shrimp were productive. We also caught a snook, a black drum, and a permit. Nice week for variety!

 

 

Richard Fletcher from Minnesota invited his brother Tom who lives in Riverview, FL to go fishing with him on Monday. They wanted to focus primarily on “eating” fish, so we worked docks and structure in Big Pass and along Bird Key using live shrimp. Action was steady on Sheepshead to 3 pounds, mangrove snapper to 12″, and gag grouper. The largest grouper landed was 16″ but they got freight-trained a couple of times on fish they just could not handle on light spinning tackle.

 

 

Andy Singerling and his friend David Spies from PA had a good day of mixed-bag fishing on Tuesday. We started off hitting New Pass on the last hour of the outgoing tide. Unfortunately, the wind was the opposite direction and the drift was bad. So, we trolled Rapala X-Raps and caught a half dozen bluefish and a couple of Spanish mackerel. After the tide turned, we made a move to the Middlegrounds where Andy used a gold Cotee jig and David drifted a live shrimp. The result was speckled trout, flounder, mackerel, and ladyfish. Andy wanted a sheepshead for dinner, so we finished up working docks along Longboat Key and caught 2 keeper sheepies and a flounder. Fun day and a nice box of fish! Wednesday was foggy and windy, no fishing for me.

 

 

John Belicka from Woodstock, GA treated his brother Tim and father Bruce to a trip on Thursday. The weather was threatening, but first thing in the morning it was calm, so we made the run up to the Middlegrounds. Bruce caught a nice Spanish mackerel on a free lined shrimp on his first cast. John and Tim caught macks, bluefish, ladyfish, sea bass, and sail cats on Cotee jigs. The wind picked up so we started working back, stopping at some docks on Bird Key. Gag grouper, sheepshead, and mangrove snapper bit steadily. We finished up with a small snook near Phillippi Creek.

 

 

Bill Thiel from Naperville, IL fished with me on Friday. A front moved through the night before and we waited until 9:00 a.m. for the rain to clear through. Action was fair, though we did catch a lot of different species. A black drum hit a shrimp in Phillippi creek, sheepshead, snapper to 12″, and gag grouper were caught under Bird Key docks, ladyfish, speckled trout, silver trout, Spanish mackerel, and a small permit took jigs and shrimp on the flats near bird Key.

Capt. Jim Klopfer
February 9, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Fishing was good during the first part of this week then slowed a bit after the front passed. John Lovely has “fish of the week” honors with a big snook he caught on Monday using a small live shrimp. The Middlegrounds, Country Club Shores, Marker # 5, and the Field Club were all reliable spots for mackerel, trout, bluefish, and ladyfish. Gold Cotee jigs produced a lot of fish, as did flies, Gulp!, and live shrimp. Creeks and canals are holding snook, snapper, drum, sheepshead, trout, and flounder.

 

On Monday afternoon John Lovely and Jay Lalley, both from Chicago, IL went out fishing. The charter went from decent to fantastic on the last cast as John hooked and landed a 38″ snook on a live shrimp and 10 lb spinning tackle. The fish almost got back in the mangroves but somehow John turned it and brought it to the boat for a quick photo. Earlier they had sporadic action on bluefish, ladyfish, and Spanish mackerel using live shrimp at the Middlegrounds, Yacht Club Channel, and Field Club flat.

 

Earl Sharmon and Larry Mothershead from Wisconsin fished a 6 hour trip on Tuesday. We left the dock at 8:00 a.m. and since there was very little wind and tide I decided to give New Pass a try. Action was steady on Spanish mackerel and bluefish using gold cotee jigs. Action slowed after a couple of hours so we moved inside to the Middlegrounds and caught speckled trout to 17″, ladyfish, mackerel, and a remora on jigs and Gulp! Shrimp. After a lunch break we worked some canals on Longboat Key and caught a pair of flounder to 15″, several more trout, and lost a decent redfish using Gulp! Shrimp.

 

Ben Ciliberto from Philadelphia, PA did some fly fishing on Wednesday. We did not catch a ton of fish, but action was steady on Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and speckled trout. Chartreuse Clousers caught fish at the Middlegrounds, Marker #5, Bird Key, and Field Club.

 

Jim Mitchell and his brother John from Minneapolis, MN had a great day on Thursday. We started off catching fish on every cast using Cotee jigs at the Middlegrounds and Country Club Shores. Most were ladyfish, but there were a few speckled trout and jack crevelle mixed in. We moved to the Bird Key flats and caught silver trout, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, whiting, and ladyfish free-lining live shrimp. The wind kicked up so we found some protection from the breeze in canals on Siesta Key catching mangrove snapper to 12″ and sheepshad to 2 pounds on shrimp.

 

Friday morning found me on the Myakka River with Mike Christman from Wisconson. A front had just passed and we were greeted with blue-bird skies and the snook were a bit fussy. We caught a few and missed one nice one. Still, great scenery and company make it a fun trip.

 

Gil Fitzgerald from Chicago and his buddy Mike fished with me on Saturday morning. A stiff northeast breeze and dirty water made for tough fishing. We worked hard for a pair of bluefish, several speckled trout, a Spanish mackerel, and some ladyfish using jigs, Gulp!, and live shrimp. The Field Club flat was the best spot.

Capt. Jim Klopfer
February 2, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Winter reared it’s head this week, hopefully for the last time. Before the front, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and pompano were hitting on the deep flats. Sheepshead, gag grouper, and mangrove snapper are hiding under docks near the passes. Snook and redfish were available in the Siesta Key canals. Bluegill bit very good in Upper Myakka Lake. Snook are still taking Rapala X-Raps in the lower portion of the river. It was blowing 30 knots on Wednesday, then cool and breezy on Thursday and Friday. By Saturday the front had cleared and it was nice enough to fish. There was some dirty water near the passes but the flats further north were nice.

 

I started the week off fishing Dave Buckley and his cousin Jerry Buckley from Gettysburg, PA. We decided to work bars and canals in Robert’s Bay to see what we could catch. Using live shrimp, they landed redfish to 21″, sheepshead, snapper, and jack crevelle. Casting and trolling Rapala X-Raps resulted in snook, jacks, and ladyfish.

 

On Monday Jonathon Smith from Indianapolis, IN treated his two boys Sawyer (3) and Sullivan (5) and father-in-law Terry Hamilton to a fishing trip. It was the boys first “real” trip, and they did great! Free lining shrimp in the Intracoastal waterway just south of Siesta Drive resulted in big ladyfish and a pair of catfish. A move to the Bird Key flats produced speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and a pompano. We finished up working a couple of docks and caught gag grouper, mangrove snapper, and sheepshead.

 

I fished Upper Myakka Lake on Tuesday and massacred the bream (pronounced “brim”, it is Southern for bluegill and other panfish). Live wigglers and black Beetlespins caught all the fish. we also caught a 16″ largemouth bass. A severe weather front moved through and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were quite breezy, so no fishing for me.

 

Peg Heaslip from Osprey, FL treated her sister Jeannie Musial and brother Jeff Courtright to a trip on Satursday. The water was cool and a bit off-color. Fishing was steady, and although we did not catch a lot of fish, they ended up with 5 nice sheepshead to 5 lbs, a mangrove snapper and a flounder in the box for dinner along with catch and release action on ladyfish, speckled trout, jack crevelle, and a small redfish. Most of the fish were caught near Bird Key and in Robert’s Bay on live shrimp.

Capt. Jim Klopfer
January 26, 2013
Sarasota – Saltwater Fishing Report

Another week of good, and diverse fishing in Sarasota! I started off in the Myakka River catching several snook near 30″ and a bunch of smaller ones from 18″ to 25″ on gold Rapala X-Raps and Husky Jerks with my wife Christine. Monday was a bit breezy as a front was approaching but ladyfish bit good in Robert’s Bay and near Midnight Pass. Tuesday and Wednesday were cool and breezy, no fishing or me. I finished up the week doing well at the Middlegrounds, Helicopter Shoal, and Buttonwood catching nice Spanish mackerel and keeper trout. Shrimp, Cotee jigs, Gulp!, and Rapalas all caught fish this week.

 

The week started off good fishing the Myakka River on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. I took a day off and my wife Christine and I fished and camped on the river. Snook to 30″ hit Rapala X-Raps and Husky Jerks, gold was the best color. Chris also caught a decent bass and I missed another.

 

On Monday Tim Wilhelm from Ann Arbor, MI took out his son Zach, daughter Georgia, and nephew Leo out. It was a bit breezy but they caught a bunch of ladyfish in Robert’s Bay and the flats near Midnight Pass free lining live shrimp and casting gold Cotee jigs. They also caught sheepshead and mangrove snapper in Phillippi Creek.

 

Dave Buckley and his cousin Jerry from Gettysburg, PA fished with me later this week. On Thursday we went north from Centennial Park, hitting the Middlegrounds, Moorings, Bishop’s Pt, and Helicopter Shoal. Action was steady on speckled trout to 18″, big ladyfish, a flounder, and a nice Spanish mackerel landed and a couple more that bit us off. Gold Cotee jigs and Glow Gulp! Shrimp on 3/8 ounce jig heads fooled them.

 

On Friday Greg Pratt, his wife Patty and their friends Kristi and Chuck Barton, all from Middletown, OH had a good day fishing the flats in north Sarasota Bay. Things started off a bit slow with a few small trout and a couple of ladyfish at the Middlegrounds and Moorings. It was slick calm and there was no drift at all. We worked our way north and got into some good action off of Buttonwood Harbor. 4 Spanish mackerel to 3 pounds and 3 slot trout went in the box. They also caught small trout, ladyfish, and a bluefish. Trolled Rapalas, Cotee jigs, Gulp! Shrimp and live shrimp all produced. Great fun and a nice mess of fish for dinner!

 

 

12/23/2012

   Av severe cold front moved through this week kicking our fishing into traditional winter patterns.  The deep grass flats north of the Venice inlet are thick with ladyfish.  Anglers casting 1/4 ounce jigs experienced non-stop action.  A few speckled trout and pompano were mixed in, but when the ladies are this thick it is hard to get a bait past them.  Redfish, sheepshead, and black drum are hitting live shrimp fished around docks in the same area along with at the jetty parks.  Snook are working their way back up into the creeks and canals.  Off shore was good before the front for red grouper in 100' of water.

10/26/2012

   Unfortunately, Casey Key has been suffering from a bit of red tide lately.  This has resulted in some dead fish and other fish moving away to escape the deadly bloom.  It is getting better and hopefully Tropical Storm sandy's winds will push what remains away from shore.  Fishing for Spanish mackerel and false albacore should kick into high gear and snook fishing will be good near the Venice Inley and up in the nearby bays and creeks.

9/22/2012

   Water temperatures are dropping ever so slightly and this is improving the fishing.  Snook, redfish, and speckled trout are hitting around oyster bars, docks, and bridges.  Outgoing tides early and late are prime times to fish.  Live pilchards and large live shrimp produced the best.  Night fishing is resulting in snook, along with quite a few reds and trout.  Flies and small plugs were effective.  Speckled trout, jacks, and ladyfish were caught using live shrimp and jigs on the deep flats, a high tide in the morning was a best.

   Spanish mackerel showed up in decent numbers this week in the inshore Gulf of Mexico.  The Venice Jerry's were hot for a couple of days.  There is a TON of bait in close and this is attracting the gamefish.  As long as the wind is east, the water will be clear and smooth and the bite should be good for mackerel and false albacore.

   Offshore fishing remains steady for red and gag grouper in 80'-120' for anglers using live and cut bait.  Mangrove and yellowtail snapper are also being caught, live shrimp is best for them.

  

9/8/2012

   Snook are moving through the Venice Inlet and working their wayy back into the bays and creeks.  Docks, bridges, and mangrove shorelines are producing snook, reds, and trout during the day and at night.  Rapala plugs, D.O.A. soft plastic baits, and live shrimp and pilchards are working well.

   The water is clearing up from Isaac and cooling off a bit.  Speckled trout are hitting on the bars at high tide.  Redfish schools are feeding on the same bars on the low, incoming tide.

   Baitfish showed up in huge numbers and triggered a good Spanish mackerel bite at the Venice Inlet.  Silver spoons and live bait were top producers.

   Offshore fishing was decent once the seas settled down.  Snapper, both mangrove and yellowtail, were the best bet in 1200" of water.

 

8/15/2012

   Redfish are starting to school up on the shallow flats in Osprey Bay near Spanish Point.  Speckled trout are in the same area, both on the bars at high tide and over the deeper grass flats.  Schools of bait are moving into the area and this always improves the fishing.  Very little rain this week has also allowed the water to clear up a bit.

   Most of the snook have moved off of the beaches and into the Venice Inlet area.  Fishing the lighted bridges and docks has been very good for both snook and speckled trout.

   Grouper and snapper are pleasing anglers venturing offshore.  Frozen sardines and live bait both work well.

7/29/2012

   Speckled trout fishing has been good at first light on the shallow bars near Spanish Point, high tides are best.  Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp produced some decent trout this week.  Redfish are scattered along mangrove shorelines, as well as snook.  Plugs and weedless spoons are the best bet

   Fishing the lighted docks and bridges has been good near the Venice Inlet.  There are a lot of trout in the lights, too.  Small white flies and jigs work well, as does live shrimp.

   Tarpon are pretty much done on the beaches.

   Offshore action has been good for both red and gag grouper from 80' out.  Live pinfish, sand perch, and frozen sardines will catch them.  There are some big Key West grunts, too, though mangrove snapper numbers are down.

7/22/2012

   Recent rains have helped cool down the water.  Baitfish schools are showing up in shallow water on the bars.  Speckled trout, snook, and reds are hitting Rapala plugs and Gulp Shrimp early and late.

   Snook are moving off the beach and into the Venice Inlet and surrounding areas.  Outgoing tides in the morning late this week were prodfuctive for anglers casting around docks and other structure.  Night fishing has been good, too.  White flies work best but shrimp and jigs also caught fish.  Tarpon are much done on the beaches.

   Spanish mackerel were caught over hard bottom this week.  Inshore bottom fishermen caught grunts and mangrove snapper.  Gag and red grouper pleased anglers wjho ventured into 100' of water.  Live pinfish and cut baits worked well.  Red snapper is now closed.

 

7/15/2012

   Recent daily afternoon rains have the water temperatures near 80 degrees and there is plenty of bait fish in the bay and around the Venice Jetty.  Speckled trout are hitting plugs, jigs, and live bait on the bars and flats early in the morning.  Some reds are also being caught.

   Snook are migrating back into the inshore waters although there are still plenty of fish on the beaches and off the Jetty.  Outgoing tides early and late are great times to catch snook using lures.  The night snook bite has been very good near the albee Rd Bridge.

   Tarpon fishing is slowing down as the fish spawn and their numbers thin out.  Spanish mackerel and false albacore are showing up in the inshore Gulf of Mexico.  Red grouper, gag grouper, and red snapper are biting in 100' of water and deeper.

7/8/2012

   Fishing rebounded as the water settled down after Tropical Storm Debby.  There is still a fair amount of fresh water in the bay, but trout and reds are being caught on high tides over the oyster bars and in the cuts on the outgoing tide.  Plugs, jigs, and live bait were all productive.  Topwater plugs are great fun early and late.  Gulp! Shrimp are effective during the day.

   Snook are both out on the beaches and also beginning to migrate inside the Venice Inlet.  Docks are good places to target snook.  This week we have early morning outggoing tide, this should result in good fishing.  Plugs work well and allow an angler to cover water quickly.  Night fishing for snook under lighted docks has also been good.  Live shrimp and small white flies and jigs work best.

   Tarpon are still available on the beach from Grassy Pt. to the Venice Pier.  Most bait shops have quit carrying crabs so anglers will need to catch pinfish or threadfins or use artificial lures.  The D.O.A. Bait Buster is a good choice.

   Gag grouper are in season as of July 1 and fishing has been excellent!  Ledges in 80' and deeper are producing gags and reds, along with snapper.  American red snapper are being caught deeper, from 120' out on cut bait.  Spanish mackerel (mostly small) and false albacore are showing up on the beaches.

 

7/1/2012

Tropical Storm Debby pretty much shut down fishing this week.  The gulf of Mexico is a mess, all stirred up from the heavy surf.  The inshore waters are full of run-off rain water.  About the only thing going on is some snook being caught on plugs, jigs, and flies around docks, bridges, and up in creeks and canals.  Decent fishing should resume soon as the water settles down.

6/24/2012

   Fishing for speckled trout and mackerel continues to be the most consistant pattern in Osprey Bay along Casey Key.  The deep grass on the high tides is producing trout and Spanish mackerel along with bluefish and ladyfish.  Jigs and live bait have both been effective.  The shallow bars are good spots to catch trout, redfish and snook early morning or late afternoon.  This is a good situation for topwater plugs.

   Snook fishing off the beaches was good early this week.  On Thursday a big swell showed up and that along with hurricane Debby pretty much shut things down.  Night snooking was decent as well.  The docks near Venice Inlet were good at first light as we had morning outgoing tides.  Rapala plugs work great in this situation, allowing anglers to cover water quickly.

   Tarpon fishing has been poor.  This has been a disappointing season.  West wind hampered things after Memorial Day and now Debby will probably effectively end things, though there may be some scattered fish around afterwards. 

   Bottom fishing for red grouper and snapper has been the best bet offshore.

6/17/2012

   Winds shifted back to the east, resulting in better conditions for targeting both tarpon and snook on the beaches.  While snook fishing has been good, this tarpon season has been below average.  The fish just aren't showing or eating very well.  Snook are being caught on live pilchards, jigs, and flies.  White with some silver/flash is the most productive color combination.  Snook are also being caught around the area bridges and docks both during the day and at night. 

   Oyster bars are producing speckled trout, redfish, and snook, early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish.  Mangrove snapper are biginning to school up and migrate offshore.  Docks in 6'-8' of water with current flow will produce some tasty snappers.  Live shrimp or pilchards work best.  Peroids of heavy rain will improve the snook action, particularly near creek mouths on an outgoing tide.  A lot of rain can slow the trout bite.  A hand-picked shrimp fished under a cork in 4'-6' of grass will also produce speckled trout.

   Red grouper and Key West grunts continue to be the best bet for anglers venturing offshore.  Ledges from 40' and deep are holding fish.  Mangrove snapper action has been slow.  Red snapper are decent in 120' and out.  There are cudas and a few mackerel on the artificial reefs.

 6/9/2012

   West winds have shut down tarpon and beach snook fishing since Memorial Day.  The water is dirty and the surf is rough.  However, the wind turned east this morning and the forecast looks good for the coming week.  There are a lot of tarpon out there and once conditions inprove the bite should be back on.  Crabs and pinfish are the top live baits.  Beach snook will take a small jig, ply, or flug along with a nice lively pilchard.

   Recent rains have improved the snook fishing.  They are hitting topwater plugs and soft plastics along mangrove shorelines and docks.  The area near the Venice jetty has been especially productive.  Night fishing has been good with VERY strong outgoing tides.

   Bars in Osprey Bay north of Blackburn Pt are holding nice sized speckled trout and slot reds.  A hand-picked shrimp is a top producer.  Scented soft plastics fished on a light jig head and plugs are also catching fish.  Early and late is best.

   Red snapper openecd June 1 and action has been fair in 100' of water and deeper.  Red grouper are taking up some of the slack; they are feeding on cut bait over ledges and hard bottom.

May 28, 2012

Tarpon fishing is getting cranked up as these game fish are showing up in big numbers.  Live crabs, pinfish, and threadfin herring cast out in front of a pod will elicit a bite.  Fly anglers will do well with dark flies such as a Cockroach, purple Death, or Puglisi patterns.

   Snook fishing is very good both on the beaches, off of the jetty, and in the Intracoastal waterway.  Live bait such as pilchards, shrimp, and pinfish along with small white bucktail jigs, and white flies work well.  The Albee Rd Bridge has been productive at night.  Speckled trout are hitting Rapala plugs aearly in the morning on the bars near Spanish Pt, especially on the high tide.

   Bottom fishing has been decent for mangrove snapper on the hard bottom near the Venice Inlet sout to the Venice Pier.  Live shrimp and frozen sardines on light tackle work well for grouper and snapper.

 

 

 

The best way to experience the fantastic fishing on Casey Key is to go with a professional guide.  Capt Jim Klopfer runs Adventure Charters.  A fishing guide since 1991, his 20+ years of experience fishing these waters will help you catch more fish.  Many visitors to Casey Key are novices and families with young children, Capt Jim is patient, easy-going, and friendly, ensuring a quality, relaxed angling experience.  He can also accommodate seasoned anglers seeking more of a challenge such as snook, redfish, and tarpon.  Call Capt Jim at (941) 371-1390