Catch of the Week |
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Lynn Skipper, from Brandon, Fla., "matched the hatch" to catch and release this snook on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing a Siesta Key dock with Capt. Rick Grassett. |
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BRADENTON – Recreational and commercial blue crab traps in state waters from the Palm Beach-Broward county line to the Pasco-Hernando county line must be removed from the water before July 10, the first day of a 10-day trap closure. Our contributing captain Rick Grasset will be hosting a fly fishing clinic on July 13, then the next weekend the annual Hooked on Habitat Redfish Tournament will take place in Punta Gorda. High pressure will hold across the area through Thursday with the ridge axis remaining north of the region keeping a general east to southeast flow over the waters. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible each day.
CB’s Saltwater Outfitters “Orvis Fly Fishing 101” Clinic, July 13, 2013
5th Annual "Hooked on Habitat" Redfish Tournament July 20 Punta Gorda
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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 good action catching and releasing snook on flies in Sarasota Bay during the past week. However conditions were poor last week for tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf.
A trough of tropical moisture hovered over us for a few days early in the week, dumping more than 6 inches of rain. A stiff onshore wind made it rough in the coastal gulf and visibility was bad due to dirty water. Conditions improved later in the week as the system shifted west and we began to dry out, although it was still too rough to tarpon fish in shallow water.
Fly angler Lynn Skipper, from Brandon, Fla., snook fished before dawn with me on Friday morning. We fished lighted docks on Siesta Key where he had good action catching and releasing 8 or 9 snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Snook were picky at first, but we got dialed into them after we downsized our fly. With snook and many other species it is often important to “match the hatch” by duplicating the approximate size and profile of the baits they are feeding on.
Depending on conditions, tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf should be good next week. 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
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Fishing Forecast
High pressure will hold across the area through Thursday with the ridge axis remaining north of the region ... keeping a general east to southeast flow over the waters. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible each day.
Monday
East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday night will bring east winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
2013/07/08Mon03:03 a.m.1.43H
2013/07/08Mon06:47 a.m.1.22L
2013/07/08Mon12:46 p.m.2.5H
2013/07/08Mon09:01 p.m.-0.06L
Tuesday
Northeast winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. 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.
2013/07/09Tue03:19 a.m.1.45H
2013/07/09Tue07:28 a.m.1.17L
2013/07/09Tue01:22 p.m.2.48H
2013/07/09Tue09:29 p.m.-0.01L
Wednesday
Southeast winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring southeast winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of thunderstorms.
2013/07/10Wed03:35 a.m.1.5H
2013/07/10Wed08:13 a.m.1.11L
2013/07/10Wed02:00 p.m.2.43H
2013/07/10Wed09:58 p.m.0.05L
Thursday
South winds around 5 knots then becoming southwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of thunderstorms. Thursday night will bring southwest winds around 5 knots then becoming south after midnight. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of thunderstorms.
2013/07/11Thu03:54 a.m.1.59H
2013/07/11Thu09:02 a.m.1.04L
2013/07/11Thu02:40 p.m.2.33H
2013/07/11Thu10:27 p.m.0.14L
Friday
South winds around 5 knots then becoming west in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of thunderstorms.
2013/07/12Fri04:19 a.m.1.7H
2013/07/12Fri09:56 a.m.0.98L
2013/07/12Fri03:25 p.m.2.19H
2013/07/12Fri10:58 p.m.0.26L
Solunar Forecast