Captain Favorite

Keith McClintock with a tarpon caught in the coastal gulf while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett, which was measured and DNA sampled before being released.

Catch of the Week

Keith McClintock with a tarpon caught in the coastal gulf while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett, which was measured and DNA sampled before being released.

Fishing Updates

Reminder: Black Sea Bass to Re-open in the South Atlantic

Commercial and recreational fishing for black sea bass will open at 12:01 a.m. June 1, 2011. Both sectors will remain open until May 31, 2012, or until the commercial quota or recreational annual catch limit is met.

The recreational bag limit is 15 fish per person per day. A final rule for Regulatory Amendment 9 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Regulatory Amendment 9) is under review. If approved, the final rule would reduce the black sea bass bag limit from 15 fish per person per day to 5 fish per person per day. NOAA Fisheries Service will provide notice of these regulation changes as soon as the rule files in the Federal Register.

Hurricane-Season Tips for Boat Owners

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is preparing for Florida's hurricane season and encourages Florida boaters to do the same. Hurricane season began June 1, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a stronger than usual hurricane season.

"In Florida, we are very concerned about the potential impacts on our waterways following a natural disaster, both environmental and related to navigation," said Phil Horning, FWC Derelict Vessel Program Administrator. "Now is the time for vessel owners to get prepared for the worst."

NOAA forecasters predict 12 to 18 named storms in the Atlantic basin, including three to six major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or higher). Since boat owners are responsible for their vessels before and after a storm, they should secure their boats properly if a storm is heading their way.


Weekly Fishing Report by Capt. Rick Grassett’s
 

Capt. Rick Grassett leaders Keith McClintock's tarpon, which was caught and released in the coastal gulf on a live crab.

Anglers fishing the coastal gulf along Sarasota beaches with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon during the past week. The best action was during the middle of the week when we averaged 4 or 5 bites per day, jumping 7 or 8 tarpon and bringing several to the boat. We had only a few shots with a fly on Memorial Day Monday, probably due to increased recreational activity in shallow water. Action also slowed a little towards the end of the week as we experienced some negative effects coming off of Wednesday’s new moon.
           
Keith McClintock, from Lake Forest, Ill., and his group of 6 other anglers fished with Capt. Kelly Stilwell, Capt. Jack Hartman and me from Tuesday through Friday of last week. The rest of the group consisted of Dave Kinnamon, from Milwaukee, Dan Kinnamon, from Miami, Steve Liska, Sean Moore and Ray Van Hoorebecke, all from N.J., and Greg Short, from Ohio. All boats had similar action, jumping numerous fish throughout the week and landing several. Greg had a few shots with a fly and had at least one take and Steve hooked up on a DOA Baitbuster one day, although most of the action was with live crabs. Tarpon got happy for a couple of days, working slowly and giving us good shots, however some days they were on a ”mission“, moving fast and not showing well on the surface. There are many parts of the equation including tide, moon phase and angler experience, which is what makes tarpon fishing both challenging and rewarding.
           
Tides are favorable for tarpon fishing next week as we approach the quarter phase of the moon heading towards the next full moon. My experience with moon phases are that negative effects are sometimes experienced several days after the full and new moons as tarpon head offshore to spawn. However, the days preceding these moon phases usually have good action.
 
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com

To create a forecast specific to your zip code visit www.wunderground.com

Fishing Forecast
High pressure over the coastal waters will gradually sink south on Monday as a weak frontal boundary begins to push into the northern coastal waters. Weak flow will give way to a sea breeze circulation each afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms may be possible near the coast during the late afternoons or early evenings.

Monday
Southeast winds around 5 knots becoming west 10 knots in the late morning and afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday night will bring northwest winds around 10 knots becoming east around 5 knots overnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
Tides: High at 6:02 a.m. (1.41), low at 9:56 a.m. (1.21), high at 3:48 p.m. (2.35)

Tuesday
Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Tuesday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
Tides: Low at 12:10 a.m. (-0.09), high at 6:37 a.m. (1.52), low at 11:26 a.m. (1.15), high at 4:54 p.m. (2.1)

Wednesday
Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Wednesday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
Tides: Low at 12:56 a.m. (0.11), high at 7:13 a.m. (1.67), low at 1:04 p.m. (1.0), high at 6:16 p.m. (1.82)

Thursday
Northeast winds around 10 knots becoming north late in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Thursday night will bring north winds around 5 knots becoming east 10 knots overnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
Tides: Low at 1:40 a.m. (0.36), high at 7:49 a.m. (1.86), low at 2:39 p.m. (0.74), high at 7:56 p.m. (1.57)

Friday
East winds around 10 knots becoming north in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Tides: Low at 2:24 a.m. (0.62), high at 8:26 a.m. (2.06), low at 4:01 p.m. (0.42), high at 9:45 p.m. (1.42)

Solunar Forecast