CATCH OF THE WEEK |
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Caroline Denton, of Bradenton, caught and released this nice permit while fishing with Capt. Nate Wheeler of Waypoint fishing in Summerland Key. ![]() |
BRADENTON -- Scalloping season opened June 28! Be sure to read Amanda Nalley's column on the family friendly activity. Law enforcement officers all over the state will be participating in "Operation Dry Water," a program designed to cut down on BUI's, over the July 4 holiday. Gag grouper season will begin July 1 in federal waters. FWC lawmakers intend to simplify saltwater regulations in Manatee County … find out why!
FISHING UPDATES
Scalloping offers family-friendly fun
You may not believe it, but I even enjoy the cleaning part (something that makes me quite popular with the scalloping crowd).
Bay scallop season started June 28
FWC supports ‘Operation Dry Water’ for 6th year
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. |
Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released several snook, lookdowns, mutton snapper and jack crevalle on DOA Lures in the Indian River at the DOA/River Palm Outdoor Writer Festival out of Jensen Beach, FL and had good action with tarpon in the coastal gulf in Sarasota on DOA Baitbusters and live baits during the past week.
Capt. Andy Cotton and I towed our boats over to Jensen Beach (Stuart area) on Sunday for the annual DOA/River Palm Outdoor Writer Festival at River Palm Cottages and Fish Camp. Located right on the Indian River with quaint cottages, a long pier with boat dockage, swimming pool, tiki hut and a boat ramp next door, it’s a “cool place to stay” for a weekend or a week long fishing getaway.
Guides, outdoor writers and sponsors were matched up to fish the area on Monday and Tuesday. Nice snook and trout, false albacore (little tunny), tarpon and more were caught and released and numerous tarpon were jumped with DOA Lures by various anglers in the group.
Outdoor writers, Michael “Mookie” Wilson, with the Lakeland Ledger and Pete Barrett, from Jupiter, FL, fished St. Lucie Inlet with me one day. We found some snook and jacks busting baits along a rock jetty and had some action catching and releasing them on DOA Shrimp. We also caught and released several lookdowns, a member of the jack family, and a mutton snapper around rocky areas of the inlet also on DOA Shrimp. Thanks to Mark Nichols and the entire crew at DOA Fishing Lures (www.doalures.com) and Rufus Wakeman, owner of River Palm Cottages and Fish Camp (www.riverpalmcottages.com) for hosting the event and to other sponsors, Lazer Trokar Hooks, Shimano, Power Pro, Engel Coolers, Tailin' Toads, Johnson Outdoors (Minnkota & Humminbird), Pilar Rum and Costa Sunglasses.
The Notari family, from Longboat Key, FL and the Chicago area, tarpon fished in Sarasota with me and Capt. Jack Hartman on Thursday. Everyone had good action with 3 out of 4 anglers landing tarpon and jumping several others. The DOA Baitbuster continues to produce for my anglers with a couple of bites and 1 tarpon, an estimated 120-pound fish, caught and released by Josh Notari with the lure. The other tarpon were on a variety of live baits. Friday’s fly fishing trip had a dozen or more shots at tarpon before conditions went downhill with wind, rough water and thunderstorms closing in on us.
Tarpon fishing should remain strong next week. Look for more singles, doubles and smaller schools as fish return to the beach after spawning. 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. 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
Developing low pressure off the Florida East Coast will provide a modest increase in north to northwest flow over the next few days. Winds will turn more westerly on Wednesday as the low lifts north along the southeast coast of the United States. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring this system for potential tropical development. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms with strong gusty winds could impact the bays and near shore waters each afternoon and evening.
Monday
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday night will bring northeast winds around 5 knots then becoming northwest around 10 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms in the evening, then isolated thunderstorms after midnight.
2014/06/30Mon04:13 AM1.49H
2014/06/30Mon08:46 AM1.13L
2014/06/30Mon02:28 PM2.34H
2014/06/30Mon10:31 PM0.04L
Tuesday
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Tuesday night will bring northwest winds 5 to 10 knots then becoming west around 15 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered thunderstorms in the evening then isolated thunderstorms after midnight.
2014/07/01Tue04:38 AM1.56H
2014/07/01Tue09:39 AM1.1L
2014/07/01Tue03:10 PM2.21H
2014/07/01Tue11:04 PM0.15L
Wednesday
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring west winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.
2014/07/02Wed05:07 AM1.65H
2014/07/02Wed10:38 AM1.06L
2014/07/02Wed03:58 PM2.04H
2014/07/02Wed11:38 PM0.28L
Thursday
West winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Thursday night will bring west winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms in the evening.
2014/07/03Thu05:40 AM1.76H
2014/07/03Thu11:45 AM1.0L
2014/07/03Thu04:53 PM1.84H
Friday
West winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms.
2014/07/04Fri12:14 AM0.43L
2014/07/04Fri06:17 AM1.87H
2014/07/04Fri12:59 PM0.9L
2014/07/04Fri05:59 PM1.63H
Solunar Forecast