Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum: July 15, 2013

BRADENTON –Recreational red snapper season ends July 15 and commercial blue crab traps in state waters from the Palm Beach-Broward county line to the Pasco-Hernando county line closed July 10, the start of a 10-day trap closure. A Hooked on Habitat Redfish Tournament will take place in Punta Gorda next weekend. A trough of low pressure in place across the northern Gulf of Mexico will move west as high pressure builds over the waters from the Atlantic. High pressure will remain in place across the area through the week.

Nick Huff, from Utah, battles a "hot" fly rod tarpon in the coastal gulf off Sarasota while fishing 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, had shots at tarpon with a fly in the coastal gulf and had steady action catching and releasing trout, bluefish and jacks on Clouser flies in Sarasota Bay during the past week.

            

Terry Antoniuk and Cornel Yarmaloy, both from Calgary, Alberta, fly fished for tarpon in the coastal gulf several days with me last week. Although action was slower than expected, they had a few shots each day. We also spent a morning in Sarasota Bay where they caught and released trout, bluefish and jacks at Stephens Point and near Buttonwood Harbor on Ultra Hair Clouser flies and had a few shots at reds and tripletail. Sight fishing, casting to a fish that you can see and working a fly or lure to entice a strike, is one of the most challenging yet rewarding ways to fish! Although tarpon weren’t very plentiful in shallow water last week, I’m still seeing schools of large tarpon in the coastal gulf which should mean at least a few more weeks of action.

           

Capt. Ed Hurst and I were instructors at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters “Orvis Fly Fishing 101” clinic on Saturday. More than 30 people attended the clinic which included fly casting with premium Orvis fly tackle and fly tackle rigging basics. It was great to see such a turnout! The group consisted of men and women of all ages including a youngster brought by his mom, most new to the sport of fly fishing. Students received free International Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited memberships (a $70 total value). Look for information on future Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing schools, “Fly Fishing 101”clinics and other events at www.cbsoutfitters.com.

           

Tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf should be good next week depending on conditions. Beat the heat by catch and release snook fishing before daylight in the ICW and then look for reds and big trout in shallow water early in the day. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay for trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and more 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

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

Fishing Forecast 

A trough of low pressure in place across the northern Gulf of Mexico will move west as high pressure builds over the waters from the Atlantic. High pressure will remain in place across the area through the week.

Monday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday nights will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms in the evening.

2013/07/15Mon12:07 a.m.0.6L

2013/07/15Mon06:03 a.m.2.08H

2013/07/15Mon01:20 p.m.0.69L

2013/07/15Mon06:36 p.m.1.55H

Tuesday

East winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Tuesday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening.

2013/07/16Tue12:45 a.m.0.8L

2013/07/16Tue06:47 a.m.2.2H

2013/07/16Tue02:43 p.m.0.52L

2013/07/16Tue08:18 p.m.1.38H

Wednesday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening.

2013/07/17Wed01:26 a.m.0.99L

2013/07/17Wed07:38 a.m.2.34H

2013/07/17Wed04:03 p.m.0.31L

2013/07/17Wed10:18 p.m.1.33H

Thursday

Southeast winds around 10 knots diminishing to around 5 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning then a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Thursday night will bring southeast winds around 5 knots increasing to around 10 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening.

2013/07/18Thu02:13 a.m.1.15L

2013/07/18Thu08:35 a.m.2.47H

2013/07/18Thu05:14 p.m.0.08L

Friday

Southeast winds around 10 knots diminishing to around 5 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of thunderstorms.

2013/07/19Fri12:00 a.m.1.37H

2013/07/19Fri03:07 a.m.1.26L

2013/07/19Fri09:34 a.m.2.61H

2013/07/19Fri06:15 p.m.-0.11L

Solunar Forecast