CATCH OF THE WEEK |
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Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL, caught and released this bluefish on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Ric k Grassett. ![]() |
BRADENTON – Gulf recreational red snapper season closes July 15 in state waters. Weather Underground is predicting a weak high pressure will remain over the waters through the forecast period...keeping winds light and seas on the low side outside of any thunderstorms. Captain Rick Grassett says you should find trout, blues and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Look for reds and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars early in the day. Catch and release snook fishing should also be good in passes and around docks and bridges close to passes.
FISHING UPDATES
Gulf recreational red snapper season closes July 15 in state waters
FWC moves to simplify saltwater rules in 3 counties
WEEKLY FISHING REPORT BY CAPT. RICK GRASSETT
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Capt. Rick DePaiva, from Ft. Myers, FL, battles a tarpon jumped on a fly while fishing the coastal gulf with Capt. Rick Grassett. |
Fly anglers fishing the coastal gulf in Sarasota with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, continued to have action with tarpon, getting numerous shots and jumping several. Spin fishing anglers caught and released trout and blues in Sarasota Bay on DOA Lures during the past week.
Dean Hannemann, from Sarasota, FL, fished with me on Monday. He had numerous shots at tarpon, jumped 1 and battled it through several jumps before the fish chewed through the 80-lb bite tippet. If the fish is hooked with the leader wrapped around the “clipper” portion of the jaw, they can sometimes wear through it quickly. Wind blew strong out of the west on Wednesday and Thursday and conditions were not fishable in the coastal gulf for tarpon those days.
Jerry Poslusny and Bill Nesbitt, both from Rochester, NY, tarpon fished with me on Friday and Saturday. Following a couple of days of west wind and rough water, we were pleasantly surprised to find good conditions and lots of tarpon. They had numerous shots both days but Friday was their best day with 3 bites and a couple of hook ups. One of the last casts of the day resulted in a hook up with a large female gave us some great jumps and a smoking run. A great way to end the day!
Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL and Aaron Way, from St. Petersburg, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Sunday morning for a change of pace. We fished deep grass flats on the west side of the bay where they caught and released a few trout and blues on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos.
Tarpon fishing should be good next week as we head towards a full moon. Inshore you should find trout, blues and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Look for reds and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars early in the day. Catch and release snook fishing should also be good in passes and around docks and bridges close to passes.
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
Fishing Forecast
Weak high pressure will remain over the waters through the forecast period...keeping winds light and seas on the low side outside of any thunderstorms.
Monday
Southeast winds around 5 knots...becoming northwest around 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday night will bring north winds around 10 knots becoming east around 5 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
2014/07/21 Mon 02:19 AM 1.17 L
2014/07/21 Mon 08:45 AM 2.32 H
2014/07/21 Mon 05:14 PM 0.25 L
2014/07/21 Mon 11:54 PM 1.39 H
Tuesday
Southeast winds around 5 knots becoming northwest 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. Scattered thunderstorms. Tuesday night will bring east winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Scattered thunderstorms in the evening.
2014/07/22 Tue 03:15 AM 1.26 L
2014/07/22 Tue 09:40 AM 2.39 H
2014/07/22 Tue 06:09 PM 0.13 L
Wednesday
Northeast winds around 5 knots then becoming west in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning then a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Wednesday night will bring southwest winds around 5 knots then becoming south after midnight. Bay and inland waters smooth. Scattered thunderstorms.
2014/07/23 Wed 12:53 AM 1.45 H
2014/07/23 Wed 04:14 AM 1.31 L
2014/07/23 Wed 10:32 AM 2.43 H
2014/07/23 Wed 06:54 PM 0.06 L
Thursday
South winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Numerous thunderstorms. Thursday night will bring southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms.
2014/07/24 Thu 01:34 AM 1.49 H
2014/07/24 Thu 05:09 AM 1.31 L
2014/07/24 Thu 11:18 AM 2.47 H
2014/07/24 Thu 07:32 PM 0.04 L
Friday
Southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Scattered thunderstorms.
2014/07/25 Fri 02:04 AM 1.51 H
2014/07/25 Fri 05:57 AM 1.27 L
2014/07/25 Fri 11:58 AM 2.49 H
2014/07/25 Fri 08:05 PM 0.05 L
Solunar Forecast