Sarasota Fishing Report Capt Jim klopfer 3/1/2014
Capt. Jim Klopfer
March 1, 2014
Sarasota - Saltwater Fishing Report
I had another diverse week of fishing on my charters this week, both in Sarasota Bay and in the Myakka River. Spanish mackerel and sheepshead continued to lead the way with some nice mangrove snapper, red and gag grouper, black drum, speckled trout, ladyfish, and bluefish. Snook, bass, gar, and catfish ate Rapala plugs in the Myakka River.
On Monday Bill Thiel and Gary Grube had a nice mixed-bag charter. We started off hitting some docks and catching several shepshead, red and gag grouper, and mangrove snapper to 14" using live shrimp. We moved to Big Pass where the Spanish mackerel bite was on! Drifting live shrimp produced a dozen macks. We finished up on the nearby deep flats, landing more mackerel, speckled trout, and a bunch of ladyfish.
Renee and Shane Cassidy from Downers Grove, IL took out their children Rive` (7) and Creed (6) on Tuesday morning. Grouper and sheepshead hit shrimp at the docks in Big Pass, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish were caught in Big Pass and the nearby flats, black drum were caught under docks in Robert's Bay and mangrove snapper were biting in Phillippi Creek.
The fish bit well for Jeff Manby from Brookfield, WI and his dad Bill. Spanish mackerel and bluefish hit trolled white #8 Rapala X-Raps. We then moved to the docks and landed sheepshead and gag grouper using live shrimp. We finished up at Marker # 5 catching some ladyfish as the wind was cranking up. Thursday was breezy and cool, so we rescheduled.
I was in the Myakka River on Friday with Jeff Bishop from Cleveland, OH. We ran in the afternoon as it was quite cool early. The snook bit well, we landed a half dozen or more to 28", missed several more, and lost a BIG fish right at the end. We also caught a gar and had on a large catfish. Rapala X-Raps in gold and Jointed BX Minnows in Firetiger caught them.
Back in the river Saturday morning with Chris Patrick and his buddy Lanny. Things started out great with mist covering the water and a pair of snook hitting Rapalas. Then, the sun came out and it got tough, no wind, bright sun, less than optimum conditions. Chris did end the trip on a high note with a fat 4 1/2 pound largemouth bass.
More Fishing Reports:
