Captain Favorite's Weekend Fishing Forecast: May 29, 2014

BRADENTON –  The FWC launched a new lionfish app yesterday. The recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf closes June 1—Aug. 1. Weather Underground is predicting afternoon thunderstorms and 10-15 knot winds for the rest of the week.Also, don't miss your chance to compete in the Fire Charity Fishing Tournament from June 6-8. Sign up now! All proceeds benefit child burn victims. 

New Report Florida Lionfish app unveiled; first 250 users receive free T-shirt 

• See a lionfish in the wild? Report it using the new Report Florida Lionfish app. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) unveiled the new smart device app today (May 28) during a live Twitter chat. The first 250 people who successfully complete the Report Florida Lionfish app reporting form will receive a free, interactive and newly redesigned “Lionfish Control Team” T-shirt. The logo on these shirts is designed to come to life. Learn more about the new app, T-shirt and interactive logo by watching a video online.

Amberjack, gray triggerfish close June 1 in Gulf state waters

• The recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf of Mexico state waters (shore to 9 nautical miles) closes June 1 and will remain closed through July 31, reopening Aug. 1.
• In federal Gulf waters, greater amberjack will also be closed June 1 through July 31. Gray triggerfish closed in Gulf federal waters May 1 and will remain closed through Dec. 31.

FWC releases 2013 boating accident statistics, stresses safe boating

• Sixty-two people lost their lives in Florida last year in boating accidents, and there have already been 11 deaths so far this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which has released its 2013 Boating Accident Statistical Report.

Monofilament fishing line perilous for pelicans

• Fishing is an important part of the Florida lifestyle as well as its economy. In spite of the obvious benefits, this leisure-time activity, on occasion, can lead to problems for birds and other wildlife such as sea turtles and manatees. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists, monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks can entangle these animals, leading to injury and even death.

Wanted: North Florida anglers to collect tarpon DNA

• Volunteer anglers in northern Florida are encouraged to catch and collect a DNA sample from every tarpon they catch that is 30 inches or longer. Since 2006, scientists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) have partnered with Mote Marine Laboratory to use DNA fingerprinting as a way to track the movements, habits and recapture rates of Atlantic tarpon in coastal and inshore waters.
• Anglers can collect a DNA sample by scraping the outer jaw of the tarpon with a small, abrasive sponge. Immediately after collecting the DNA sample, the sponge should be placed in the prelabeled vial. DNA vials can be mailed to FWRI with the accompanying data slip so that geneticists can analyze and compare the DNA sample with cataloged samples to determine if someone caught and sampled the tarpon previously. This recapture information provides evidence of long-term survival and insight into the seasonal and regional movements of individual fish.

Fishing Forecast

High pressure in the Atlantic will continue to ridge across Florida into the Gulf waters keeping southeast winds across the waters with an afternoon sea breeze developing along the coast each day. Seas will remain less than 3 feet through the remainder of the week. The main marine concern will be scattered afternoon thunderstorms producing brief gusty winds and locally higher seas.

Thursday

South winds around 10 knots then becoming southwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Thursday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms in the evening.

2014/05/29Thu03:06 AM1.37H

2014/05/29Thu06:53 AM1.14L

2014/05/29Thu12:49 PM2.52H

2014/05/29Thu09:11 PM-0.24L

Friday

Southeast winds around 10 knots then becoming southwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning...then a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Friday night will bring east winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of thunderstorms in the evening.

2014/05/30Fri03:45 AM1.36H

2014/05/30Fri07:25 AM1.16L

2014/05/30Fri01:22 PM2.5H

2014/05/30Fri09:47 PM-0.21L

Saturday

East winds around 5 knots then becoming north in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of thunderstorms. Saturday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A chance of thunderstorms in the evening.

2014/05/31Sat04:22 AM1.36H

2014/05/31Sat08:02 AM1.18L

2014/05/31Sat01:58 PM2.44H

2014/05/31Sat10:25 PM-0.15L

Sunday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Sunday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening.

2014/06/01Sun05:00 AM1.38H

2014/06/01Sun08:46 AM1.19L

2014/06/01Sun02:37 PM2.34H

2014/06/01Sun11:04 PM-0.08L

Solunar Forecast