Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum: Feb. 15, 2016

Posted Monday, February 15, 2016 12:00 am

Merab Favorite

BRADENTON – A shift in wind directions will lead to 15 knot winds over the next few days. The University of Florida is asking anglers who frequent Sarasota Bay to participate in a survey. Lighted docks at night are a good place to find snook.

Sarasota Bay Fisheries Survey

The University of Florida is asking residents to participate in a fishing survey. This survey is being sent to a representative sample of Florida fishing license holders from the Sarasota Bay area.

They are asking anglers like you to share your experiences and your opinions about issues facing your local fisheries.

Your response to this survey is very important and will help to provide better information for the management and conservation of Florida's fisheries.

The survey takes on average 15-30 minutes to complete. If you choose to participate in this survey, your responses will be completely confidential.

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Weekly Fishing Report

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 and ladyfish in Sarasota Bay on CAL jigs with shad tails and flies during the past week. Our winter weather pattern continued with wind and rain early in the week, followed by a blast of cold air and a window of good fishing; with sunshine, light winds and bluebird skies, at the end of the week.

Fly and spin fishing anglers fishing deep grass flats on both sides of Sarasota Bay on several trips with me caught and released blues, trout and ladyfish on Ultra Hair Clouser flies and CAL jigs with shad tails. High winds early in the week churned the coastal gulf into muddy water and incoming tides brought the silted water into Sarasota Bay, covering flats close to passes. Unlike previous weeks when these flats were the most productive due to slightly warmer, more stable water temperatures, the best action was in clearer water farther away from passes.

Trout, bluefish and more should be a good option on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Look for reds and big trout mixed with mullet schools or cruising shallow flats and edges of bars in Sarasota Bay and backcountry areas of Charlotte Harbor and lower Tampa Bay. Catch and release snook fishing around lighted docks and bridges with flies and DOA Lures should also be a good option as long as water temperatures don’t dip too low. Even though snook may still bite, they may become stressed when water temperatures drop into the 50’s and may not catch and release well.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett

IFFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor

Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters

Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011

Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.

www.snookfin-addict.com, www.snookfinaddict.com and www.flyfishingflorida.us

E-mail snookfin@aol.com

(941) 923-7799

Fishing Forecast

High pressure centered north of Florida is ridging into the eastern Gulf of Mexico and will shift east Monday resulting in east to southeasterly winds of around 15 knots or less. A cold front will move through the waters Monday night and Tuesday, bringing increased rain chances and winds turning to the northwest and north behind the front.

Monday

Southeast winds around 15 knots diminishing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Monday night will bring southeast winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms.

2016/02/15 Mon 01:03 AM -0.09 L

2016/02/15 Mon 07:30 AM 0.9 H

2016/02/15 Mon 11:27 AM 0.74 L

2016/02/15 Mon 05:41 PM 1.82 H

Tuesday

South winds around 10 knots then becoming west in the afternoon. Seas 2 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers. Tuesday night will bring northwest winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2016/02/16 Tue 02:31 AM -0.22 L

2016/02/16 Tue 06:50 PM 1.84 H

Wednesday

North winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Wednesday night will bring north winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2016/02/17 Wed 03:47 AM -0.35 L

2016/02/17 Wed 11:16 AM 1.05 H

2016/02/17 Wed 01:51 PM 0.99 L

2016/02/17 Wed 08:07 PM 1.86 H

Thursday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Thursday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2016/02/18 Thu 04:47 AM -0.45 L

2016/02/18 Thu 11:53 AM 1.13 H

2016/02/18 Thu 03:23 PM 0.98 L

2016/02/18 Thu 09:17 PM 1.89 H

Friday

East winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2016/02/19 Fri 05:35 AM -0.49 L

2016/02/19 Fri 12:21 PM 1.19 H

2016/02/19 Fri 04:32 PM 0.89 L

2016/02/19 Fri 10:15 PM 1.91 H

Solunar Forecast