Captain Favorite's Weekend Fishing Forecast: July 11, 2013

• The 2013 Gulf of Mexico recreational red snapper season in state waters closes July 15, with the last day of harvest on July 14.
• This year’s state season was 44 days long. The Gulf federal season was 28 days long and ran from June 1 through June 28.
• State waters are from shore to 9 nautical miles in Gulf waters; federal waters extend beyond that line to 200 nautical miles.
• The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is considering a supplemental recreational season for later this year in federal waters. If approved, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider a supplemental season for Gulf state waters at a future Commission meeting.
• More information about red snapper fishing is available online at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations” and then “Gulf Red Snapper.”

• Recreational and commercial blue crab traps in state waters from the Palm Beach-Broward county line to the Pasco-Hernando county line must be removed from the water before July 10, the first day of a 10-day trap closure. This closure will give groups authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from the water.
• Traps can be placed back in the water in this area starting on July 20. Until then, blue crabs may be harvested with other gear, such as dip nets and fold-up traps. Blue crab harvesters may also use standard blue crab traps during the closure if the traps are attached to a dock or other private property.
• Lost and abandoned blue crab traps are a problem in the blue crab fishery because they can continue to trap crabs and fish when left in the water. They can also be unsightly in the marine environment, damage sensitive habitats and pose navigational hazards to boaters on the water.
• The closure is one of three regional, 10-day blue crab trap closures that will occur in 2013 on the Gulf coast of Florida. While state waters extend to 9 nautical miles offshore in the Gulf, the blue crab trap closures include only state waters extending to 3 nautical miles offshore. Coastal waters from Hernando through Wakulla counties, including all waters of the Ochlockonee River and Bay, will close to traps July 20-29 (see map). There are six regional closures total: three in even-numbered years on the east coast and three in odd-numbered years on the west coast.

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters “Orvis Fly Fishing 101” Clinic, July 13, 2013

• CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Pt. Rd., on Siesta Key (Sarasota) will hold an “Orvis Fly Fishing 101” clinic with Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guides and instructors, Capt. Ed Hurst and Capt. Rick Grassett, on Saturday, July 13th from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.  The free clinic will include fly casting and fly tackle rigging basics. Upon completion of the clinic, students will receive free memberships to International Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited (each a $35 value). There will also be special in store offers on Orvis products. Call (941) 349-4400 to reserve your spot.

5th Annual "Hooked on Habitat" Redfish Tournament July 20 Punta Gorda

• The 5th Annual “Hooked on Habitat” Redfish Tournament run by Flatsmasters is July 20th with an incredible seafood captain’s dinner by Peace River Seafood on the 19th. Cash prizes and raffles! Come fish for a great cause! $300 per boat (max. 3 anglers). For details, call CC Habitat for Humanity at 941-639-3162 or visit www.charlottecountyhfh.org.
• Contact: Ellen Cardillo, events@charlottecountyhfh.org, 941-639-3162.