The coastal gulf waters off Sarasota erupted with activity recently. Spanish mackerel, jacks and little tunny (bonito) crashed bait schools just off Siesta Key providing fast action for fly and spin anglers.
Anglers fishing with me on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, scored on Spanish mackerel to 3 or 4 pounds, little tunny to 10 pounds and jacks to 5 pounds on surface walking top water plugs and Diamond jigs.

Fly anglers scored with Ultra Hair Clouser flies and a popper/dropper combo consisting of a Crease fly or Bubblehead fly popper with a lightweight Clouser fly about 30 inches behind it. This technique, which is very popular with western trout fly anglers, is also very effective in saltwater.

We have been sight casting to fish feeding on the surface, which provides exciting strikes. Anglers fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay with me at Stephens Point, the Middleground flat and near Bishop’s Point also had good action with trout and bluefish on Clouser flies and DOA Deadly combos.

Captain Andy Cotton also got in on the fast action off Siesta Key. Anglers fishing with him landed 7 or 8 little tunny and numerous Spanish mackerel on surface walking top water plugs and jigs. Several fish have been lost to sharks, which have also been feeding in the fray.

Captain Roy String, of the Fishin’ Addiction, had fast action with little tunny and Spanish mackerel in the same area with live baitfish, flies and trolling plugs and spoons.

This type of action, which occurs in fall and spring, usually starts a little later in October. However, a couple of early season fronts have caused baitfish to school along our beaches with predator fish close behind them. This action should continue and even get better as the coastal gulf waters cool and baitfish and predators migrate south.

For more details visit either of Captain Rick Grassett’s Web sites, www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com, or call (941) 923-7799.