Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum: June 9, 2014

CATCH OF THE WEEK

Chris Walters, of Palmetto, caught and released this red snapper in the Gulf.

BRADENTON -- Sea cucumber management takes effect June 11. Surface high pressure over the western Atlantic with a ridge axis extending across the central Florida Peninsula and eastern Gulf of Mexico will hold over the region through mid-week then gradually sink south late in the week with increasing onshore flow. Winds will remain less than 15 knots with seas less than 3 feet through the period. Main hazard each day will be isolated thunderstorms which will produce locally gusty winds and rough seas.

FISHING UPDATES

Sea cucumber management changes take effect June 11

• A commercial daily trip and vessel limit of 200 sea cucumbers will go into effect June 11 in state and federal waters off Florida.
• This change was approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at its April meeting near Tallahassee.

New Report Florida Lionfish app unveiled; first 250 users receive free T-shirt 

• See a lionfish in the wild? Report it using the new Report Florida Lionfish app. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) unveiled the new smart device app today (May 28) during a live Twitter chat. The first 250 people who successfully complete the Report Florida Lionfish app reporting form will receive a free, interactive and newly redesigned “Lionfish Control Team” T-shirt. The logo on these shirts is designed to come to life. Learn more about the new app, T-shirt and interactive logo by watching a video online.

Amberjack, gray triggerfish close June 1 in Gulf state waters

• The recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf of Mexico state waters (shore to 9 nautical miles) closes June 1 and will remain closed through July 31, reopening Aug. 1.
• In federal Gulf waters, greater amberjack will also be closed June 1 through July 31. Gray triggerfish closed in Gulf federal waters May 1 and will remain closed through Dec. 31.

FWC releases 2013 boating accident statistics, stresses safe boating

• Sixty-two people lost their lives in Florida last year in boating accidents, and there have already been 11 deaths so far this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which has released its 2013 Boating Accident Statistical Report.

 

WEEKLY FISHING REPORT BY CAPT. RICK GRASSETT

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, had good action catching and releasing an estimated 130 to 140-pound tarpon and jumping several others on spinning tackle in the coastal gulf recently. Fly anglers also had their shots at tarpon earlier in the week.

 

Dave Reinhart, from VA, and Domenick Raschella, from NC, tarpon fished a couple of days with me last week. We drifted live baits while waiting to cast DOA Baitbusters and live crabs to passing schools of tarpon. Domenick jumped 3 tarpon and Dave caught and released a large female after a lengthy battle on live crabs with spinning tackle. A memorable fish!

 

 

Large schools of tarpon are more plentiful at this point in the season rather than singles, doubles and small schools. They should be plentiful in the coastal gulf as we approach a full moon next week. Look for reds and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars in Sarasota Bay. Fishing deep grass flats for trout, blues and more should also be a good option. You should find catch and release snook in the surf, 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

Surface high pressure over the western Atlantic with a ridge axis extending across the central Florida Peninsula and eastern Gulf of Mexico will hold over the region through mid-week then gradually sink south late in the week with increasing onshore flow. Winds will remain less than 15 knots with seas less than 3 feet through the period. Main hazard each day will be isolated thunderstorms which will produce locally gusty winds and rough seas.

Monday

West winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday night will bring southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth.

2014/06/09 Mon 04:06 AM 0.9 L

2014/06/09 Mon 10:02 AM 2.24 H

2014/06/09 Mon 06:03 PM 0.14 L

Tuesday

Southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Tuesday night will bring south winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

2014/06/10 Tue 12:09 AM 1.39 H

2014/06/10 Tue 04:44 AM 1.02 L

2014/06/10 Tue 10:37 AM 2.39 H

2014/06/10 Tue 06:50 PM -0.08 L

Wednesday

South winds around 5 knots then becoming southwest around 5 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Wednesday night will bring southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Scattered thunderstorms in the evening.

2014/06/11 Wed 01:11 AM 1.4 H

2014/06/11 Wed 05:21 AM 1.11 L

2014/06/11 Wed 11:15 AM 2.54 H

2014/06/11 Wed 07:35 PM -0.27 L

Thursday

Southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Thursday night will bring south winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms.

2014/06/12 Thu 02:06 AM 1.41 H

2014/06/12 Thu 05:57 AM 1.17 L

2014/06/12 Thu 11:55 AM 2.66 H

2014/06/12 Thu 08:21 PM -0.39 L

Friday

Southwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon.

2014/06/13 Fri 02:57 AM 1.4 H

2014/06/13 Fri 06:36 AM 1.19 L

2014/06/13 Fri 12:38 PM 2.74 H

2014/06/13Fri09:07 PM-0.45L

Solunar Forecast