CATCH OF THE WEEK |
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Tim Graham, from Nokomis, FL, caught and released this Sarasota Bay red on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett ![]() |
BRADENTON – Red tide has been killing offshore sea life in the northeast Gulf of Mexico. A front will bring an increase in wind and seas during the first part of the week. Capt. Rick Grassett recommends looking for reds and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars early during the the day. He says catch and release snook fishing should also be good in passes and around docks and bridges close to passes.
FISHING UPDATES
Red tide causes large fish kill in northeast Gulf of Mexico
Gulf recreational red snapper season closed 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.
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
Atlantic high pressure continues over the eastern Gulf waters this afternoon. A frontal boundary will near the northern Gulf waters late Monday into Tuesday. There will be an increase in winds and waves as the frontal gradient tightens. cautionary conditions may be possible tomorrow afternoon for the northern coastal waters.
Monday
West winds 5 to 10 knots becoming 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Isolated thunderstorms. Monday night will bring west winds 10 to 15 knots diminishing to 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Isolated thunderstorms after midnight.
2014/07/28Mon02:58 AM1.61H
2014/07/28Mon08:01 AM1.07L
2014/07/28Mon01:45 PM2.41H
2014/07/28Mon09:27 PM0.23L
Tuesday
West winds 5 to 10 knots increasing to around 15 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Tuesday night will bring west winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms.
2014/07/29Tue03:14 AM1.69H
2014/07/29Tue08:43 AM0.99L
2014/07/29Tue02:22 PM2.33H
2014/07/29Tue09:53 PM0.32L
Wednesday
West winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring northwest winds around 10 knots diminishing to around 5 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
2014/07/30Wed03:34 AM1.79H
2014/07/30Wed09:29 AM0.92L
2014/07/30Wed03:02 PM2.21H
2014/07/30Wed10:20 PM0.43L
Thursday
Northwest winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon.
2014/07/31Thu04:00 AM1.91H
2014/07/31Thu10:18 AM0.85L
2014/07/31Thu03:47 PM2.06H
2014/07/31Thu10:49 PM0.56L