Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum Jan. 7, 2013

Catch of the Week
Garrett Anderson, from Ill., caught and released a nice bluefish on a DOA Deadly Combo while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

BRADENTON – There are a couple of exciting state park events coming up over the next couple of weeks. At the beginning of the month, several species of grouper closed to recreational and commercial harvest starting January 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. Captain Rick Grassett reported that large ladyfish, mixed with trout and blues, are plentiful on deep grass flats close to passes. Although ladyfish are not usually targeted, they are a nice diversion for anglers focused on action while searching for other species often found in the same environment. 

Fishing Updates

Sneek Peek of Yellow Fever Creek Preserve in Cape Coral Jan 11.

• Take a guided tour of Yellow Fever Creek Preserve in Cape Coral from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 11. This preserve is not yet open to the public, so take this opportunity to get a sneed peak with an experienced naturalist. Closed toe shoes are recommended. There is an $8 per person charge. More details will be provided upon registration; call 239-549-4606.
  

Plant and Wildlife Walk in Sarasota Jan. 15

• Jeff Weber, Sarasota County enviormental specialist, will lead participants on a nature hike through the pine flatwoods and oak hammocks of Red Bug Slough Preserve (5200 Beneva Road, Sarasota) from 9 to 11 a.m., describing plants and wildlife encountered along the way. Space is limited to 20. Register online at www.scgov.net (click "Calendar" on the left) or call 941-861-5000. 

Charlotte County Boat Show Jan.17-20

• The 12th annual Charlotte County Boat Show, presented by the Southwest Florida Marine Industries Assoc. will be held at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds (2333 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte) Jan. 17-20. Admission is free but there will be a fee for parking. The show will feature hundreds of new and pre-owned boats displayed by dozens of boat dealers, plus the best in boating accessories and fishing seminars will be held throughout the day all four days. Show is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 

Myakka State Park Moonlit Bike Ride Jan. 23

• Embark on a sunset bike ride followed by a full moon on Jan. 23, Feb. 24 or March 24. Bring your bike for a 10 mile round trip ride starting at the ranger station and continuing to the birdwalk on the Upper Myakka Lake, where there will be a fire, warm drinks and a snack. On the return, participants will stop at the canopy walkway and take a look at the moon from above the treetops. Helmets are recommended; lights are required. There are limited spaces so reservations are required. Call 941-373-7839, $10 per person.

Mullet Festival Jan. 25-27

• Come on down to Stan's Idle Hour bar (221 W. Goodland Drive, Goodland Fla.) Enjoy mullet and lots of other fresh seafood with good eats from a variety of food vendors. There will also be arts and crafts and live music and, of course, the annual Buzzard Lope dance contest (the strange dance that buzzards do over their roadkill), culminating with the crowning of the Buzzard Lope Queen. Admission is free, call 239-394-3041 or go to www.stansidlehour.net for more information. 

Weekly Fishing Report by 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, bluefish, ladyfish, redfish and a pompano in Sarasota Bay on lures during the past week.

Large ladyfish, mixed with trout and blues, are plentiful on deep grass flats close to passes. Although ladyfish are not usually targeted, they are a nice diversion for anglers focused on action while searching for other species often found in the same areas.          
           

Dick Weerts, from Osprey, Fla., and his grandson, Nathan, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. They had some action with trout and ladyfish fishing deep grass at the Middleground flat with CAL jigs and shad tails. With the water temperature a couple of degrees warmer in the coastal gulf and an incoming tide, the warmer water close to New Pass made a difference.
           

Keith McClintock, his son-in-law, Rick Anderson and grandson, Garrett Anderson, all from Ill., fished Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday. They caught and released trout, including several in the slot, blues to more than three pounds and ladyfish on CAL jigs with shad tails and grubs and DOA Deadly Combos on deep grass flats along the west side of the bay.
           

Chris Lewington, from the UK, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. He caught and released trout and ladyfish on CAL jigs with shad and grub tails at the Marina Jack and Middleground flats. He also caught a red while fishing docks in Roberts Bay and a pompano at Stephens Point, both on CAL jigs.
           

You should find trout, mixed with blues, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Look for reds around docks, in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low or on shallow grass flats at the top of the tide. Catch and release snook fishing in the ICW at night should also be a good option.
 
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
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com

Fishing Forecast 

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

A weak area of low pressure moves through the eastern Gulf of Mexico along a frontal boundary tonight. The boundary decays early in the week allowing high pressure to ridge down over the region from the north.

Monday

Northeast winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers in the morning. Monday night will bring northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a light to moderate chop.

2013/01/07Mon03:41 a.m.-0.33L

2013/01/07Mon10:29 a.m.0.96H

2013/01/07Mon01:48 p.m.0.84L

2013/01/07Mon08:02 p.m.2.09H

Tuesday

East winds around 10 knots becoming Northeast. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers in the afternoon Tuesday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2013/01/08Tue04:44 a.m.-0.58L

2013/01/08Tue11:49 a.m.1.03H

2013/01/08Tue02:48 p.m.0.93L

2013/01/08Tue08:58 p.m.2.21H

Wednesday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Wednesday night

will bring east winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.

2013/01/09Wed05:39 a.m.-0.76L

2013/01/09Wed12:43 p.m.1.08H

2013/01/09Wed03:49 p.m.0.96L

2013/01/09Wed09:54 p.m.2.3H

Thursday

East 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.

2013/01/10Thu06:29 a.m.-0.86L

2013/01/10Thu01:22 p.m.1.1H

2013/01/10Thu04:49 p.m.0.92L

2013/01/10Thu10:48 p.m.2.33H

Friday

Southeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2013/01/11Fri07:14 a.m.-0.87L

2013/01/11Fri01:53 p.m.1.11H

2013/01/11Fri05:47 p.m.0.83L

2013/01/11Fri11:40 p.m.2.29H

Solunar Forecast