CATCH OF THE WEEK |
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Sarasota winter resident, Mike Perez, brought this estimated 100-pound tarpon to the boat after numerous jumps and a 40-minute battle while fly fishing the coastal gulf with Capt. Rick Grassett. |
BRADENTON -- Goblin sharks, lionfish and stone crabs were all highlights of the fishing world this week. Weather underground predicts high pressure will influence the weather through the remainder of the week and into the upcoming weekend. Winds will remain out of the east to southeast across the Gulf waters through the weekend.
FISHING UPDATES
Gulf snook to close in Gulf state, federal waters
Goblin Shark caught in Gulf of Mexico
Stone crab season closes May 16
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary founder cited for wildlife-care violations
Wanted: North Florida anglers to collect tarpon DNA
FWC seeks public input on largemouth bass management
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 with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had numerous shots at tarpon and caught and released an estimated 100-pound tarpon on several trips in the coastal gulf during the past week.
Sarasota winter resident, Mike Perez, tarpon fished with me on Monday and Tuesday. Ted Gibbons, from Sarasota, FL, joined us on Monday. There was a big swell and conditions were challenging but we saw numerous singles, doubles and several schools of tarpon and got a total of 7 or 8 shots at them. We had a few follows but no bites, so we tried several different color and profile flies.
It all came together for Mike on Tuesday. With better conditions, he converted several shots at tarpon to a hook up. After numerous jumps and a 40-minute battle, he brought an estimated 100-pound tarpon to the boat. Wind and rough water made casting challenging on a couple of other trips during the week, but there were plenty of opportunities.
Tarpon are becoming plentiful in the coastal gulf. In addition to tarpon, false albacore and tripletail may also be options there depending on conditions. Look for reds, snook and big trout on shallow flats or edges of bars in Sarasota Bay. Fishing deep grass flats for trout, blues, flounder and more should continue to 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
Fishing Forecast
High pressure will remain the dominant weather feature through the middle of next week. A cold front will then moves through the waters late next week. Winds and seas may slightly increase during the afternoon hours ... but are expected to remain below headline thresholds through the forecast period.
Monday
East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday night east winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.
2014/05/12Mon12:16 AM1.52H
2014/05/12Mon05:44 AM0.8L
2014/05/12Mon11:23 AM2.19H
2014/05/12Mon07:06 PM0.02L
Tuesday
East winds 5 to 10 knots increasing to around 15 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Tuesday night will bring east winds 10 to 15 knots diminishing to 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms.
2014/05/13Tue01:07 AM1.51H
2014/05/13Tue06:13 AM0.91L
2014/05/13Tue11:50 AM2.34H
2014/05/13Tue07:46 PM-0.16L
Wednesday
East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring east winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms.
2014/05/14Wed01:56 AM1.49H
2014/05/14Wed06:41 AM1.0L
2014/05/14Wed12:20 PM2.48H
2014/05/14Wed08:28 PM-0.3L
Thursday
South winds around 5 knots then becoming west in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Thursday night will bring north winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms.
2014/05/15Thu02:46 AM1.45H
2014/05/15Thu07:09 AM1.07L
2014/05/15Thu12:54 PM2.59H
2014/05/15Thu09:12 PM-0.39L
Friday
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers.
2014/05/16Fri03:39 AM1.4H
2014/05/16Fri07:39 AM1.12L
2014/05/16Fri01:34 PM2.64H
2014/05/16Fri10:00 PM-0.42L
Solunar Forecast