Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum Dec. 5, 2011

Catch of the Week:

Look for flounder in skinny water, in potholes and along the edges of bars, in the same areas where you may find reds and trout. Tony Ryan, from Osprey, FL caught this flounder on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett several weeks ago.

Fishing Updates

Slow Down for Manatees Migrating to Warmer Waters 

• As winter's chill arrives, cold-sensitive manatees begin migrating to warmer waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters and personal watercraft operators to slow down and watch out for Florida's official marine mammal.
• The lumbering, slow-moving manatees generally start traveling to warm waters when the airdrops below 50 degrees or water temperatures dip to 68 degrees. November is also Manatee Awareness Month, and the FWC wants to alert boaters to the slow speed zones now going into effect on the rivers, canals and waterways where manatees travel.

NOAA Fisheries Service Announces New Regulations for Spiny Lobster in the

Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic

On November 17, 2011, NOAA Fisheries Service approved Amendment 10 to the Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Lobster Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. This amendment addresses new requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as well as other management changes. A final rule implementing these regulations published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2011 (76 FR 75488) with an effective date of January 3, 2012. The fishery management plan for spiny lobster is jointly managed by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils.

The final rule makes the following changes to the fishery management plan:

• Removes four species of lobster from federal management. Establishes an annual catch limit, annual catch target, and accountability measure for Caribbean spiny lobster.
• Revises the protocol for cooperation with Florida and the framework procedure, which allows timelier implementation of routine regulatory changes.
• Requires fishermen with tailing permits to land spiny lobster all whole or all tailed, and requires applicants for a tailing permit to possess either a federal spiny lobster permit or the Florida permits required for commercial lobster fishermen.
• Allows retention of as many as 50 Caribbean spiny lobsters less than the minimum size limit and one per trap. Authorizes the removal of traps in federal waters off Florida through Florida’s trap cleanup program.
• Authorizes the removal of traps in federal waters off Florida through Florida’s trap cleanup program.

Weekly Fishing Report by Captain Chad Gamble

The fishing aboard Hook and Ladder Charters has been steady as she goes the last couple of weeks.  I am still finding bait on he flats of Sarasota bay, but it is thinning out every day.  We are right in that weird time of year where the greenbacks are thinning out and it’s too early to use shrimp in most places.  The pinfish are still terrible and will destroy nearly every shrimp you put on a hook before the desired species do.  So do yourself a favor and bring a few Berkely Gulp shrimp in case the bait is too tough to get in the cast net. 

On some of our more frigid days I prefer to use these artificial in lieu of the ”Real McCoy“ due to the lethargic nature of cold-blooded fishes that have been marinating in cold water.  An eighth ounce jighead with a 3-inch Gulp will suffice in all but the deepest of grass.  Present the jig with a slow bouncing off the bottom and back down again.  We aren’t in the slow, creepy, crawly pace used in January yet, but don’t employ the same kind of speed you use on a school of ladyfish in July. 

Last week I went fishing with Matt and Becky Ligay of Sarasota and we caught redfish to 27 inches, trout to 19 inches and a few ladyfish for good measure. 

We concentrated on upper Sarasota bay and the Ringling Flats using greenbacks for bait. Some of these cold fronts bring some nasty weather, so keep an eye to the sky and be safe out there.

USCG Captain Chad Gamble

HookandLadderCharters.com

Email at Hookandladdercharters@gmail.com

Call (941) 809-8922

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Fishing Forecast

High pressure continues to break down this week with a cold front moving through the area Thursday.

Monday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Monday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2011/12/05      Mon    04:03 a.m.       0.17     L

2011/12/05      Mon    10:16 a.m.       1.27     H

2011/12/05      Mon    02:48 p.m.       0.93     L

2011/12/05      Mon    08:39 p.m.       2.01     H

Tuesday

Southeast winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth.

2011/12/06      Tue      04:49 a.m.       -0.06    L

2011/12/06      Tue      11:24 a.m.       1.3       H

2011/12/06      Tue      03:25 p.m.       1.05     L

2011/12/06      Tue      09:08 p.m.       2.1       H

Wednesday

South winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Wednesday night will bring southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth.

2011/12/07      Wed    05:30 a.m.       -0.24    L

2011/12/07      Wed    12:22 p.m.       1.32     H

2011/12/07      Wed    03:57 p.m.       1.14     L

2011/12/07      Wed    09:37 p.m.       2.18     H

Thursday

Southwest winds around 10 knots becoming Northwest. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There will be a slight chance of showers.

2011/12/08      Thu      06:08 a.m.       -0.37    L

2011/12/08      Thu      01:11 p.m.       1.32     H

2011/12/08      Thu      04:25 p.m.       1.18     L

2011/12/08      Thu      10:09 p.m.       2.25     H

Solunar Forecast