Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum December 12, 2011

Catch of the Week

John Damico, from Sarasota, FL, caught and released this nice Spanish mackerel on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Fishing Updates

December Brings Closure of Snook Season in Atlantic State, Federal Waters

• The recreational harvest of snook will close in all Atlantic coastal and inland waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, beginning Dec. 15. The season will reopen in Atlantic state and federal waters Feb. 1, 2012.
• Snook season remains closed in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters through Aug. 31, 2012, a decision made by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) after prolonged cold weather during the 2009-10 winter that affected snook numbers.
• The extended Gulf harvest closure will help protect snook populations this winter, when they are most vulnerable to cold weather, and give snook added protection during next spring and summer's spawning months.

Life-Saving Holiday Gift for Boaters 

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has a suggestion for anyone shopping for a boater this holiday. A new, comfortable life jacket makes an ideal gift, and it could save someone's life.
• "A lot of people don't wear life jackets because they feel they're uncomfortable," said Capt. Tom Shipp of the FWC's Boating and Waterways Section. "However, with newer models, such as belt packs or suspenders, you hardly feel them. Replacing an old, bulky life jacket with a newer model makes a great gift."
• Belt-pack and suspender life jackets are inflatable. Some inflate automatically when a person falls into the water, while others inflate after the wearer pulls a cord. Prices of the belt-pack and suspender life jackets start at approximately $60.

Holiday Celebrations Minus Balloon Releases Best for Florida Wildlife

• As people gather together for occasions that make the holidays bright, remember that releasing balloons may be harmful to wildlife.
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants event and meeting organizers and other Floridians to be aware of a law prohibiting the release of more than nine lighter-than-air balloons within a 24-hour period.
• Instead of releasing balloons this holiday season, the FWC suggests groups use more environmentally friendly ways to celebrate events such as New Year's Eve and football bowl games.

Weekly Fishing Report by Capt. Rick Grassett

Bryan Beebe, from Sarasota, Fla., caught and released this nice trout on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly fished on a sink tip fly line while fishing Sarasota Bay 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 trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and flounder on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay during the past week. Tom Lamb, from Geneva, Switzerland, and Roy Glah, from Connecticut, fished Stephens Point, Long Bar and near Whale Key with me on Tuesday. They had steady action with trout and a flounder on CAL jigs with shad and grub tails.     

Walt Poxon, from Minnesota, and Bill and Sue Poxon, from Sarasota, fished the west side of the bay from the Middleground flat to Whale Key with me on Wednesday. They caught and released numerous trout, flounder and Spanish mackerel on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos. A front came through on Wednesday evening and the wind was blowing more than 20 mph on Thursday morning, so we rescheduled that trip.

Conditions were good when John Damico and Bryan Beebe, both from Sarasota, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. They had good action with trout and Spanish mackerel to 2.5 pounds and blues to 3.5 pounds on CAL jigs with shad tails and Ultra Hair Clouser flies at Stephens Point and near Whale Key.

Next week’s negative low tides are good at the beginning of the week should be good for reds, trout and flounder in potholes in shallow water. Look for trout, blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Action with Spanish mackerel and albies (little tunny) in the coastal Gulf should resume when sea conditions improve.

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

Weak troughing continues to shift off the Florida East Coast with high pressure building in from the north. Gradient flow over the water will continue to weaken over the next couple of days as high pressure shifts south. Winds and seas are expected to improve by Monday night and into Tuesday.

Monday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers. Monday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2011/12/12      Mon    08:33 AM        -0.5      L

2011/12/12      Mon    03:19 PM        1.22     H

2011/12/12      Mon    06:43 PM        1.07     L

Tuesday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Tuesday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2011/12/13      Tue      12:40 AM        2.31     H

2011/12/13      Tue      09:11 AM        -0.46    L

2011/12/13      Tue      03:46 PM        1.24     H

2011/12/13      Tue      07:40 PM        1.03     L

Wednesday

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

2011/12/14      Wed    01:27 AM        2.2       H

2011/12/14      Wed    09:50 AM        -0.38    L

2011/12/14      Wed    04:16 PM        1.3       H

2011/12/14      Wed    08:48 PM        0.98     L

Thursday

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

2011/12/15      Thu      02:20 AM        2.02     H

2011/12/15      Thu      10:31 AM        -0.24    L

2011/12/15      Thu      04:49 PM        1.4       H

2011/12/15      Thu      10:08 PM        0.88     L

Solunar Forecast