CATCH OF THE WEEK |
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Frank Zaffino, from Rochester, NY, had good action catching and releasing tarpon estimated at 70 and 90-pounds, his first tarpon on fly, while fishing the coastal gulf in Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett. ![]() |
BRADENTON – High pressure will ridge across the coastal waters through the end of the week. This will keep an east to southeast wind flow in place with light seas. Afternoon sea breezes will develop each day and allow for isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Catch and release snook in passes and around docks and bridges close to passes. You should find reds and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars in Sarasota Bay or fish deep grass flats for trout, blues and more.
FISHING UPDATES
MCSO releases ‘Operation Dry Water’ results
Gag grouper recreational harvest opening in most Gulf waters, closing in 4-county region
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. |
A fly angler fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with tarpon in the coastal gulf in Sarasota during the past week.
Frank Zaffino, from Rochester, NY, fly fished for tarpon several days with me last week. The goal was tarpon on a fly and he did well, especially since it was his first time targeting tarpon. Tuesday was a great day with lots of shots and Frank caught and released his first tarpon, an estimated 90-pounder!
Shots were fewer on Wednesday and our day ended when a thunderstorm pushed through roughing up the water. Tarpon fishing is usually a waiting game, much like hunting whitetail deer or turkeys, so we often see other things along the way. Over several days we saw bull and hammerhead sharks, manatees and had a shot at a couple of cobia while we waited for tarpon.
Conditions deteriorated on Thursday as a stiff west wind made it rough. Frank hung in there and made his shots count, hooking up with another tarpon, an estimated 70-pounder, and successfully catching and releasing the fish on the last cast of the day! Going 2 for 2 on tarpon with a fly, especially on your first attempt - priceless!
Tarpon fishing should remain strong next week as we head towards a full moon. Large schools of tarpon should become more plentiful as they prepare to head offshore to spawn. Catch and release snook fishing should also be good in passes and around docks and bridges close to passes. You should find reds and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars in Sarasota Bay or fish deep grass flats for trout, blues and more.
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
High pressure will ridge across the coastal waters through the end of the week. This will keep an east to southeast wind flow in place with light seas. Afternoon sea breezes will develop each day and allow for isolated to scattered thunderstorms.
Monday
South winds around 5 knots then becoming southwest around 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Monday night will bring west winds around 5 knots then becoming southeast around 5 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
2014/07/07Mon02:17 AM0.94L
2014/07/07Mon08:27 AM2.23H
2014/07/07Mon04:42 PM0.34L
2014/07/07Mon10:45 PM1.33H
Tuesday
Southeast winds around 5 knots then becoming west around 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Tuesday night will bring southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
2014/07/08Tue03:03 AM1.08L
2014/07/08Tue09:15 AM2.37H
2014/07/08Tue05:41 PM0.12L
Wednesday
Southwest winds around 5 knots then becoming west around 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring west winds around 5 knots in the evening then becoming variable less than 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
2014/07/09Wed12:08 AM1.36H
2014/07/09Wed03:53 AM1.18L
2014/07/09Wed10:04 AM2.52H
2014/07/09Wed06:34 PM-0.09 L
Thursday
Southeast winds around 5 knots then becoming southwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms. Thursday night will bring south winds around 5 knots then becoming southeast after midnight. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
2014/07/10Thu01:12 AM1.41H
2014/07/10Thu04:44 AM1.23L
2014/07/10Thu10:54 AM2.66H
2014/07/10Thu07:23 PM-0.25 L
Friday
Southeast winds around 5 knots then becoming south in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. Scattered thunderstorms.
2014/07/11Fri02:01 AM1.43H
2014/07/11Fri05:35 AM1.24L
2014/07/11Fri11:44 AM2.77H
2014/07/11Fri08:10 PM-0.33 L
Solunar Forecast