Catch of the Week![]() |
|
Bill Rhodes, from Hernando Beach, Fla., caught and released this nice snook on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the ICW near Venice at night with Capt. Rick Grassett.
|
|
BRADENTON – Recreational harvest of snook in all Atlantic waters closed December 14, and will remain closed until the end of Auguest. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created a long-term survival plan for 60 species. Sarasota based Capt. Rick Grassett recommends looking for redfish in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low or higher on shallow grass flats at the top of the tide. Anglers can also find trout, bluefish and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Tripletail should remain a good option in the coastal Gulf.
Fishing Updates
December brings closure of snook season in Atlantic state, federal waters
FWC defines new conservation model for 60 species
Remain or become listed as threatened;
![]() |
John Freeman, Jr., from Osprey, Fla., caught this red on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing a Gasparilla Sound sand bar with Capt. Rick Grassett. |
Weekly Fishing Report by Capt. Rick Grassett
Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout and redfish in Gasparilla Sound on lures, snook and blues in the ICW near Venice and tripletail in the coastal gulf on flies during the past week.
Sarasota winter resident Tom Lamb and John Freeman, Jr. from Osprey, Fla., fished Gasparilla Sound in Charlotte Harbor with me on Monday. They caught and released trout to 18-inches, including several slot sized trout, and a couple of reds on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos.
Bill Rhodes, from Hernando Beach, Fla., fished the ICW near Venice with me on Tuesday night. He caught and released seven or eight snook to 26 inches and a couple of blues to 5-pounds on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. We fished the coastal gulf on Wednesday where he caught and released a couple of tripletail on shrimp fly patterns and had numerous other shots at tripletail. Great sight casting opportunities!
A strong front moved through on Thursday evening and with the wind at 35 mph out of the northwest on Friday morning, we rescheduled that trip. Fishing may be challenging for a couple of days following the front, but shallow water fishing for reds and big trout should be good next week as we approach a full moon. Look for them in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low or higher on shallow grass flats at the top of the tide. You should also find trout, bluefish and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Tripletail should remain a good option in the coastal gulf when conditions are good.
Tight Lines,
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
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com
Fishing Forecast
![]() |
To create a forecast specific to
your zip code visit |
A ridge of high pressure over the coastal waters tonight and Monday will move eastward away from Florida Monday night. Low pressure will develop over the northwest Gulf Coast states on Tuesday and lift north and northeast up through the Tennessee Valley Tuesday night. This will drag a cold front into the northeast Gulf by early Wednesday morning which will swing southeastward through the waters on Wednesday. High pressure will build back into the region behind the front for Thursday and Friday.
Monday
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots...becoming southwest around 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Monday night will bring southwest winds 5 to 10 knots...becoming southeast after midnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2012/12/24Mon05:10 a.m.-0.34L
2012/12/24Mon12:10 p.m.1.15H
2012/12/24Mon03:22 p.m.1.03L
2012/12/24Mon09:17 p.m.2.03H
Tuesday
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Tuesday night will bring south winds around 10 knots increasing to around 15 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters becoming a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers after midnight.
2012/12/25Tue05:51 a.m.-0.46L
2012/12/25Tue12:57 p.m.1.18H
2012/12/25Tue04:04 p.m.1.06L
2012/12/25Tue09:54 p.m.2.07H
Wednesday
Southwest winds around 20 knots becoming west in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters choppy. A chance of showers in the morning...then a slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Wednesday night will bring north winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.
2012/12/26Wed06:28 a.m.-0.53L
2012/12/26Wed01:33 p.m.1.18H
2012/12/26Wed04:43 p.m.1.06L
2012/12/26Wed10:31 p.m.2.1H
Thursday
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Thursday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2012/12/27Thu07:03 a.m.-0.56L
2012/12/27Thu02:00 p.m.1.16H
2012/12/27Thu05:20 p.m.1.02L
2012/12/27Thu11:07 p.m.2.12H
Friday
Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
2012/12/28Fri07:34 a.m.-0.56L
2012/12/28Fri02:20 p.m.1.15H
2012/12/28Fri05:59 p.m.0.96L
2012/12/28Fri11:43 p.m.2.12H
Solunar Forecast