Captain Favorite's Weekend Fishing Forecast Jan. 3, 2013

BRADENTON -- Several species of grouper will closed to recreational and commercial harvest on January 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. A weak cold front moves into the northeast Gulf Tuesday night and become stationary through Thursday. Capt. Rick Grassett says shallow water fishing for reds and big trout should also be good next week as the full moon wanes.

Fishing Updates

Seasonal grouper closure starts Jan. 1 in Atlantic, Monroe Co. waters  

• Several species of grouper will close to recreational and commercial harvest starting Jan. 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. This seasonal closure includes gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby.
• Several species of grouper will close to recreational and commercial harvest starting Jan. 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. This seasonal closure includes gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby. State waters in the Atlantic are from shore to three nautical miles out.
• The harvest of these species of grouper in Atlantic state waters will remain closed through April 30, reopening May 1. The harvest closure was established to ensure the long-term sustainability of Atlantic grouper species.
• A similar closure will also take effect in federal waters of the Atlantic.
• Grouper information, including Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic grouper regulations, is available online. Go to MyFWC.com/Fishing and select “Saltwater” then “Recreational Regulations” and “Grouper.”

Weekend Forecast

Surface high pressure across the southern waters will move east tonight as a cold front moves into the northern Gulf waters. The front will sag south into the east central Gulf waters later tonight where it will stall out through the end of the week. Areas of rain and showers accompanying this front will spread south over the waters late tonight through Friday as the front moves into the region.

Thursday

North winds around 5 knots increasing to around 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Patchy sea fog reducing visibilities to a mile or less. A chance of rain. Thursday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of rain.

2013/01/03Thu03:35 a.m.1.46H

2013/01/03Thu10:48 a.m.0.04L

2013/01/03Thu04:48 p.m.1.58H

2013/01/03Thu11:44 p.m.0.4L

Friday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of rain in the morning then a slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Friday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers.

2013/01/04Fri04:50 a.m.1.21H

2013/01/04Fri11:27 a.m.0.26L

2013/01/04Fri05:30 p.m.1.7H

Saturday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers. Saturday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers.

2013/01/05Sat01:07 a.m.0.2L

2013/01/05Sat06:30 a.m.1.0H

2013/01/05Sat12:09 p.m.0.48L

2013/01/05Sat06:16 p.m.1.83H

Sunday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of showers. Sunday night  will bring north winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers.

2013/01/06Sun02:29 a.m.-0.05L

2013/01/06Sun08:35 a.m.0.92H

2013/01/06Sun12:55 p.m.0.68L

2013/01/06Sun07:07 p.m.1.96H

Solunar Forecast