CATCH OF THE WEEK |
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Pat Redmond, from Sarasota, FL, fished the backcountry of Gasparilla Sound near Boca Grande with Capt. Rick Grassett. He caught and released a 27 inch snook and followed it up with a 27 inch red on a CAL jig with a shad tail to complete his slam. |
FISHING UPDATES
Gulf snook to close in Gulf state, federal waters
FWC approves sea cucumber management changes
Gulf recreational red snapper season set
FWC moves forward with creation of a Gulf Reef Fish Data Reporting System
Lionfish invasion: FWC moves forward with management changes
WEEKLY FISHING REPORT BY CAPT. RICK GRASSETT
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Capt. Rick DePaiva, from Ft. Myers, FL, battles a tarpon jumped on a fly while fishing the coastal gulf with Capt. Rick Grassett. |
Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released reds, snook, trout, bluefish and flounder in Sarasota Bay on flies, DOA Shrimp, DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs with shad tails during the past week.
Mark Wayde, from MI, fished with me on Tuesday. We spent some time in the coastal gulf scouting for false albacore (little tunny), tripletail and tarpon. Although sea conditions were good, we had very little visibility and didn’t find anything. We came back into Sarasota Bay and worked deep grass flats on both sides of the bay where he caught and released trout, jacks and bluefish on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly.
Steve Ritter and his son, Bryce, from WI, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday. We fished deep grass flats on the west side of the bay where they caught and released trout to 19” and a flounder on CAL jigs with shad tails.
Mark Nichols, owner of DOA Fishing Lures, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. We fished shallow water, scouting for the Sarasota CCA Photo All Release Challenge fishing tournament which was held on Saturday. We had good action on shallow flats on both sides of the bay, catching and releasing several reds and snook on CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Shrimp and the soon to be released DOA swim bait, a larger version of the CAL shad tail.
Mark and I fished the tournament with Capt. Andy Cotton on Saturday. We caught and released a 29-inch red, several snook to 22 inches and trout on DOA Shrimp and weedless-rigged CAL shad tails. Although not good enough to win anything, it was a good day and it’s always good to have an opportunity to fish with friends. All fish were immediately photographed and released to fight another day. DOA Fishing Lures has been a long time donor to this event which is a catch, photo, and release fishing tournament that benefits CCA’s conservation efforts.
Tides will be good as we approach a new moon on April 29. Look for reds, snook and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars in Sarasota Bay. Fishing deep grass flats for trout, blues, flounder and more should continue to be a good option. In addition to Spanish and king mackerel, false albacore (little tunny) and tripletail, tarpon should start to show any time now in the coastal gulf depending on conditions.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Rick Grassett
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Orvis- Endorsed Outfitter Guide
CB’s Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
Fishing Forecast
High pressure off the southeast U.S. Coast will continue to ridge west across the region through midweek setting up a southeast to south flow across the waters. Winds and seas should remain below headline criteria through midweek with afternoon sea breezes developing along the coast. A cold front will approach from the northwest late in the week.
Monday
South winds 10 to 15 knots then becoming southwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Monday night will bring south winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2014/04/28Mon1:19 a.m.1.6H
2014/04/28Mon6:45 a.m.0.75L
2014/04/28Mon12:23 p.m.2.28H
2014/04/28Mon8:04 p.m.-0.15L
Tuesday
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.
Tuesday night will bring south winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2014/04/29Tue2:08 a.m.1.52H
2014/04/29Tue7:11 a.m.0.87L
2014/04/29Tue12:49 p.m.2.37H
2014/04/29Tue8:44 p.m.-0.23L
Wednesday
South winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Wednesday night will bring south winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth.
2014/04/30Wed2:55 a.m.1.44H
2014/04/30Wed7:35 a.m.0.96L
2014/04/30Wed1:16 p.m.2.43H
2014/04/30Wed9:23 p.m.-0.25L
Thursday
South winds around 5 knots then becoming southwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. A slight chance of thunderstorms. Thursday night
will bring northwest winds around 5 knots in the evening then becoming variable less than 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of thunderstorms.
2014/05/01Thu3:40 a.m.1.37H
2014/05/01Thu8:00 a.m.1.02L
2014/05/01Thu1:47 p.m.2.43H
2014/05/01Thu10:03 p.m.-0.23L
Friday
Wind variable less than 5 knots then becoming west around 5 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of showers.
2014/05/02Fri04:28 a.m.1.32H
2014/05/02Fri08:28 a.m.1.08L
2014/05/02Fri02:20 p.m.2.39H
2014/05/02Fri10:46 p.m.-0.16L
Solunar Forecast
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