Friday, July 15, 2011

Sizzlin Summer in Sarasota

After having the best Tarpon season in 15 years, action now moves into the bay for the remainder of the summer. So far 50 Tarpon have been boated by the Lucky Dawg and well over 100 have been jumped. The best day was Brian Anders of Boston who jumped 8 and landed 4 . He was so tired that on the last hook up (Tarpon #9) that he handed the rod to me and I landed the fish(#5). The Largest Tarpon was caught by Rob Erdesky of Sarasota @ 180+ lbs followed by Zach Hartman @155lbs and Tony Dilworth @150lbs. The Tarpon are still here and still feeding as my last trip we hooked 3 and landed 1. If this season follows the others in recent history, the Tarpon will be here for about 3 more weeks.

In the Bay and Passes, Snook are feeding heavily in preparation for the spawn. Mangrove Snapper are schooling big time on the rocks and Spanish Mackerel are starting to gorge themselves on glass minnows. Redfish are beginning to show up on the area mangrove channels, docks  and Sea trout can be found in large numbers in clean water. With the afternoon rains we have had, the most important thing in Sarasota bay is clean water. If your favorite area is off color… move until you can find clean water. Yesterday I went to one of my best Trout areas in the north bay and for 30 minutes all we caught were small trout. By moving only 300 yards, I found clean water and big trout.  On the nearshore reefs, bait fish are schooling and it will not be long before Little Tunny, Mackerel and Sharks show up for a feast.

As I close let me thank  my sponsors once again. Minn Kota, TFO spinning rods and fly rods, Bayou Buck lures, and Polar boats