Catch of the Week | |
Mike Perez, from Sarasota, Fla., caught and released this big bonefish on a Mantis Shrimp fly pattern while fishing the south area of Andros Island out of Andros South bonefish lodge. |
|
BRADENTON – Alas, stone crab season is coming to a close on Thursday, so be sure to quench your crab claw fix early on this week. Several fishing tournaments are scheduled throughout the month, and contributing Captain Rick Grassett says that tarpon season has come on strong. Besides tarpon, reds, trout and snook on shallow grass flats of Sarasota Bay are also a good angling option this time of year. An unexpected cold front is supposed to move in on Monday, then dissipate mid-week.
Stone crab season closes May 16
37th Annual Blue Water Open Dolphin Mania Charity Fishing Tournament
ECISMA 4th Annual Everglades Non-Native Fish Round Up
Florida Keys Dolphin Championship
May 24-26, 2013 - Florida Keys, Florida
FWC scientists discover new bass species
Wildlife ‘rescues’ can do more harm than good
Bill Miller, from MS, caught and released this 20 inches trout on an Ultra Hair Clouser fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett. |
I hosted a group of seven anglers; Mike Perez, from Sarasota and Richmond, Ind., Les Fulcher, from Longboat Key, Joe Bursel, from Sarasota, Tony Johnson, from Venice and Seth Koch and Lon Rubin, from Philadelphia, Pa., on my annual trip to Andros South Bonefish Lodge last week. Managers Jeb Hall and Adam Kryder did a great job with making things run smoothly with my group. One of the best things about Andros South is the variety of options that are available. You can fish the vast sand flats and scattered mangrove keys to the south or head west through several creeks to fish remote backcountry areas consisting of large flats, mangrove shorelines and smaller creeks.
Tony and Joe had a couple of great days early in the week. They headed west one day with guide Norman and caught and released 9 or 10 fish each. We had west winds most of the week, which made for an easy trip south so we all fished in that area for a few days. Joe and Tony spent a couple of days fishing the south and caught and released about 10 fish each on their best day, including a 4.5pounder by Joe and an 8-pound fish for Tony! Joe ties a crawfish fly pattern that works very well and we also had great action with a Mantis Shrimp pattern.
Mike, Les and I rotated around and fished together on several days during the week. Mike and I went south with guide Charlie one day and west with guide Ellie another day. We caught and released five or six fish each up to five pounds or more on each trip on the Mantis Shrimp fly pattern. Mike fished a creek with guide Sparkles that was like an aquarium filled with rays, turtles, ‘cudas and sharks. In addition to lots of bonefish that day he also had fast action with numerous snapper out of a deep hole for a change of pace. Mike also had a couple of good days fishing the west side with Les and guides, Josie and Freddie.
Les and I fished together a couple of days and had a great day with guide Charlie. One day started with thunderstorms, the only weather issue all week, so we stayed close to the dock that day. I had a seven pound fish that day, but the most rewarding were a couple of tailers that I waded to in ankle deep water! I fished a day with another guest at the lodge, Sean from N.Y., and he also caught and released a seven pound fish. Les fished with guide Freddie a couple of days and caught and released four or fivee fish each day. Seth and Lon had good day on the west side with guide Charlie one day catching a releasing 5 bonefish each and Lon caught a nice ‘cuda on a tube lure ‘cuda rig on spinning tackle another day. A nice fish!
I have been hosting a group at Andros South in late April or early May for the last 8 or 9 years. This an annual trip for me, so if you have an interest in going on a future trip feel free to contact me for more info. Andros Island is quick and easy to get to and is very safe. I am also considering adding a fall trip to Andros South. Advantages of fall fishing are bigger fish and fewer bugs. Additional images from this year’s trip are available for viewing on the photo gallery of my web site at
http://www.snookfin-addict.com/photos.html .
Back in Sarasota, tarpon fishing is coming on strong. Look for schools of fish at first light in the morning in deeper areas along beaches. Spin anglers should score with live crabs, pinfish, DOA Baitbusters, Airheads and Swimming Mullet. Fly anglers should do best fishing shallower water later in the day with baitfish fly patterns such as Lefty’s Deceiver and EP flies. Reds, trout and snook on shallow grass flats of Sarasota Bay should also be a good option.
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
To create a forecast specific to
your zip code visit |
Fishing Forecast
A cold front moves south across the waters tonight into Monday. An area of high pressure builds back into the region from the north Monday through midweek.
Monday
North winds 5 to 10 knots then becoming northwest around 15 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers in the morning. Monday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2013/05/13Mon04:39 a.m.1.32H
2013/05/13Mon08:21 a.m.1.14L
2013/05/13Mon02:19 p.m.2.4H
2013/05/13Mon10:49 p.m.-0.14L
Tuesday
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Tuesday night
will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2013/05/14Tue05:25 a.m.1.32H
2013/05/14Tue09:01 a.m.1.17L
2013/05/14Tue03:00 p.m.2.3H
2013/05/14Tue11:34 p.m.-0.06L
Wednesday
East winds around 10 knots then becoming north in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Wednesday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots then becoming east in the late evening and overnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2013/05/15Wed06:16 a.m.1.35H
2013/05/15Wed09:57 a.m.1.21L
2013/05/15Wed03:47 p.m.2.17H
Thursday
East winds around 10 knots then becoming northwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Thursday night will bring north winds around 10 knots then becoming east in the late evening and overnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2013/05/16Thu12:21 a.m.0.03L
2013/05/16Thu07:07 a.m.1.42H
2013/05/16Thu11:16 a.m.1.23L
2013/05/16Thu04:43 p.m.1.99H
Friday
East winds around 5 knots then becoming northeast late in the morning, then then becoming northwest around 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2013/05/17Fri01:11 a.m.0.13L
2013/05/17Fri07:53 a.m.1.52H
2013/05/17Fri12:54 p.m.1.2L
2013/05/17Fri05:54 p.m.1.8H
Solunar Forecast
Comments
No comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.