Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum Sept. 19, 2011

Cindy Muphy  won a $10 gift certificate for  Ocean Harvest Market and Grill with her shark catch.

Cindy Murphy caught and released this bonnet-head shark on a shiner in Terra Ceia Bay aboard the Dock Holiday.  

Fishing Updates

Gulf gag grouper sport season reopens Sept.16, 2011 

• The recreational harvest of gag grouper in all Gulf of Mexico waters off Florida, except Monroe County, reopens Sept.16 for two months. This season will allow anglers in both federal and state Gulf waters an opportunity to harvest gag grouper. The gag grouper season has been closed in state waters since June 1 and in federal waters since Jan. 1.

During the open season, from Sept.16 through Nov.15, recreational anglers may keep two gag grouper within the four-grouper aggregate daily limit in all Gulf waters off Florida except Monroe County state waters. The minimum size limit for gag grouper in these waters is 22 inches total length.

• These harvest dates for gag grouper apply in 2011 only. More information on grouper management is available online at MyFWC.com/Fishing; click on "Saltwater" and "Regulations" then "Groupers."

Closure of the Western Gulf of Mexico Zone to Commercial King Mackerel Fishing

• The western Gulf of Mexico zone is closed to commercial king mackerel fishing, effective 12:00 noon (local time) September 16, 2011, through June 30, 2012.  NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has determined the 2011/2012 western zone commercial quotas of 1.01 million pounds of king mackerel have been reached.  With this action, commercial king mackerel fishing is prohibited in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico from the U.S./Mexico border to the Alabama/Florida boundary.  

Florida Sportsman Fishing Show Sept. 24-25

• Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US Hwy 301, Tampa FL 33601 (Near the intersection of Interstate 4 and US Hwy 301) on Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5p.m.,  Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Admission is $8.00 but subscribers can find  a $3.00-off coupon in the September issue of Florida Sportsman.

 Weekly Fishing Report by Captain Merab Favorite

Whitebait and greenbacks have been plentiful near the Skyway Bridge, and anywhere near piers and jetties. One throw of the net is sure to load the live well. The mornings and the late afternoons are still producing the best results especially when combined with a strong moving tide. 

Several anglers caught masses of Mackerel on the Anna Maria Pier last weekend. Silver spoon seemed to be their lure of choice. 

There are still tarpon cruising the beaches, but they will soon disappear as water temperatures drop. As the temperature cools, other varieties fish will begin moving inshore. Grouper season is now open (as of Sept. 16, 2011), and anglers are sure to have luck with snappers, snook, reds and trout, which are all biting this time of year. 

Gigging season is almost upon us, so be sure to get your gigs in order for any calm nights.

To create a forecast specific to your zip code visit www.wunderground.com

Fishing Forecast

High pressure will continue to build southwestward over the area from New England through Monday...then move out over the Atlantic and weaken Tuesday through Thursday.

Monday

North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There will be scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There will be isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

2011/09/19 Mon 04:17 a.m. 2.48 H

2011/09/19 Mon 01:07 p.m. 0.5 L

Tuesday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Tuesday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There will be isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

2011/09/20 Tue 05:16 a.m. 2.42 H

2011/09/20 Tue 02:28 p.m. 0.49 L

Wednesday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Numerous thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There will be isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

2011/09/21 Wed 06:35 a.m. 2.36 H

2011/09/21 Wed 03:41 p.m. 0.44 L

2011/09/21 Wed 11:02 p.m. 1.69 H

Thursday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Thursday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There will be isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

2011/09/22 Thu 02:12 a.m. 1.59 L

2011/09/22 Thu 08:08 a.m. 2.37 H

2011/09/22 Thu 04:40 p.m. 0.38 L

2011/09/22 Thu 11:19 p.m. 1.76 H

Solunar Forecast