ishing Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum Nov. 19, 2012

Catch of the Week
Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Club member Denise Bruner, from Tampa, Fla., caught and released her first tripletail, at more than 6-pounds, on an EP fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett..

BRADENTON – As the weather cools, the FWCC warns boaters to be on the lookout for manatees. November 17 marks the start for closures for Apalachicola commercial oyster harvests. Becoming a commerical fisherman just got easier for veterans! There are tons of fishing related events on the forefront! This weekend, take the kids on a road trip to Charlotte Harbor for Mom and Tot aquatic adventures, or the sandsculpting festival in Fort Myers. 

Fishing Updates

As weather cools, Florida manatees move to warmer waters

• Now that the weather outside is chilly, Florida manatees are migrating to warmer waters. They swim in search of a warm winter refuge such as freshwater springs or canals adjacent to power plant outflows.
• With many of the seasonal manatee protection zones going into effect on Nov. 15, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) cautions boaters to be vigilant about slowing down and watching out for manatees. In Broward County, some slow speed zones formerly active only on weekends are now in effect every day during the cold season. November is designated as Manatee Awareness Month because of this seasonal migration.

Weekend closures begin Nov. 17 for Apalachicola Bay commercial oyster harvesters 

• When the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) finds that resources on monitored oyster bars cannot sustain a harvest of 300 bags of oysters per acre, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations provide for the automatic weekend closure of the oyster harvest in Apalachicola Bay from Nov. 16 through May 31 each year.
• Apalachicola Bay includes all waters within St. George Sound, East Bay, Apalachicola Bay, St. Vincent Sound in Franklin County and Indian Lagoon in Gulf County. This change does not apply to active oyster leases or recreational harvest. 
• The automatic closure was put in place in the mid-1980s after several hurricanes negatively impacted the bay. The closure, which acts as a method to limit harvest and give oysters time to recover from low population numbers, was successful in returning the oyster population to a sustainable harvest level.

Becoming commercial fishermen to get easier for Florida vets

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be honoring Florida’s heroes on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, by implementing changes to commercial licensing requirements. The changes will make it easier for Florida veterans and veterans with disabilities to enter the commercial fishing industry.
• Governor Rick Scott said, “We have a tremendous opportunity not only to give thanks to the men and women that served our nation so courageously, but also to provide them with more support so they can pursue careers in fishing here in Florida. This initiative will expand job opportunities for our veterans and get more folks involved in the commercial fishing industry, which is a win-win for Florida.”
• The Commission adopted the changes at its September meeting and made a formal announcement of the changes in a media event on Nov. 9.
• “I am excited to be extending this opportunity to the men and women who so bravely served our country,” said Commissioner Charles W. Roberts III. “Job creation and Florida’s economy are priorities for everyone, including the FWC. Our hope is that more of Florida’s veterans and veterans with disabilities, especially those who have recently returned from active duty, will be able to partake in the commercial seafood industry and benefit from this opportunity.”
• The changes will modify income requirements for many of Florida veterans seeking a commercial restricted species endorsement, which allows commercial harvesters to fish for and sell species that are designated as restricted.

Mom and Tot Adventure Programs Nov 16 and Dec 14

• Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center will offer Mom and Tot Adventure Programs, providing free nature activities for moms, dads, grandparents, caregivers and children. 
• Programs are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. November 16 and December 14 at Alligator Creek Preserve (10941 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda.)
• These programs are provided by a grant from the Mosaic Company Foundation. No registration is necessary. For more information call 941-575-5435.

Sandsculpting Championship Nov 16

• Watch artists build incredible creations using nothing but sand, water and ingenuity Nov. 16 at the Fort Myers Beach Holiday Inn (6890 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach). Last years’ event featured 16 sculptors from three continents, and this year’s Championship promises to be even more exciting. This will be the largest sand sculpting competition in the state. Tickets are $5 per person. For more information for on how to participate, visit www.scandcuptingfiestival.com.

Swamp Heritage Festival Dec 1

• The Swamp Heritage Festival scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center (33000 E. Tamiami Trail Ochopee) shines a spotlight on the inhabitants of south Florida, whose rugged strength and pioneering spirit contributed to the shaping of today’s unique and diverse culture. Through living history demonstrations, informative presentations and exhibits, everyone can learn what daily life what like in such a remote, and at times, inhospitable place. These unique chapters in American history add to the wide and colorful tableau that comprises our shared past and present. Free admission; call 239-695-4758 for more information.

 Weekly Fishing Report by Capt. Rick Grassett

Kirk Grassett, from Middletown, Del., caught and released this tailing red on a Grassett Flats Minnow fly while fishing Pine Island Sound with Capt. Rick DePaiva.

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 reds and trout in Sarasota Bay and Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny) and tripletail in the coastal gulf on flies and lures during the past week. I also fished Pine Island Sound with a friend one day where we caught and released tailing reds.

Sarasota winter residents, Tom Lamb and Roy Glah, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. We started in New Pass where we found Spanish mackerel feeding on the surface. They caught numerous Spanish mackerel to 3-pounds on CAL jigs with shad tails before moving into Sarasota Bay. We fished deep grass flats along the west side of the bay where they caught and released trout to 18 inches on CAL jigs with shad tails.

Denise Bruner, from Tampa, Fla., was the winner of a trip that I donated to the Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Club. She fished the coastal gulf off Sarasota with me on Tuesday and had great sight fishing action with tripletail, catching and releasing four tripletail to more than 6-pounds on EP flies. She also caught and released a false albacore and had fast action with numerous Spanish mackerel on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. A great day!

Longboat Key and Sarasota winter residents, Nick Reding and Mike Perez, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday. We waded several flats and bars on both sides of the bay where they caught and released a red and several trout to more than 3-pounds on my Grassett Flats Minnow and Clouser flies.

My brother, Kirk Grassett from Middletown, Del., visited for a few days and fished with me Wednesday through Saturday. It was cool, overcast and windy but we still managed to have good action. Mike Perez joined us to fish the coastal gulf off Sarasota on Thursday. We found the false albacore very tough to get on that day, but fortunately tripletail were plentiful and aggressive. We caught and released numerous Spanish mackerel and 3 tripletail that day on my Grassett Flats Minnow fly, including an 8.5-pounder.

Kirk and I were the guests of our friend, Capt. Rick DePaiva from Ft. Myers, Fla., in Pine Island Sound on Friday. Coming off a new moon on Tuesday, tides were perfect for reds to tail on shallow grass flats that day. We caught and released 3 tailing reds to 26 inches and 1 red that was following a ray on my Grassett Flats Minnow fly. Great sight fishing!

Kirk and I fished the coastal gulf off Sarasota on Saturday. Conditions still weren’t great to start but the sun popped out and the wind dropped for a couple of hours late in the morning, which was enough of a window for us to get on the false albacore. We caught and released 4 albies to more than 10-pounds on my Grassett Snook Minnow and Clouser flies. With a strong sea breeze coming up about noon, we headed into Sarasota Bay where we caught and released a few trout and a Spanish mackerel on Clouser flies along the west side of the bay.

Shallow water fishing for reds and trout should be good this week. Look for them in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low. Fishing for false albacore, Spanish mackerel and tripletail in the coastal gulf should also be good when conditions allow it.

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 www.wunderground.com

Surface high pressure north of the Gulf waters will remain in place through early this week as an area of low pressure off the southeast Atlantic coast this afternoon moves east over the open Atlantic waters. A tight pressure gradient between these two systems will support a breezy northeast wind flow with elevated seas over the Gulf waters through the period. A cold front will sweep south through the waters on Wednesday with elevated winds and seas expected in its wake through Thursday. Lighter winds and lower seas will return to the waters on Friday.

Monday 

North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2012/11/19Mon03:19 AM2.13H

2012/11/19Mon11:55 AM0.07L

2012/11/19Mon06:52 PM1.52H

2012/11/19Mon11:34 PM1.23L

Tuesday 

North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Tuesday will bring north winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers.

2012/11/20Tue04:47 AM1.83H

2012/11/20Tue12:49 PM0.28L

2012/11/20Tue07:27 PM1.65H

Wednesday

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

2012/11/21Wed01:28 AM1.01L

2012/11/21Wed06:38 AM1.6H

2012/11/21Wed01:39 PM0.48L

2012/11/21Wed08:00 PM1.8H

Thursday 

North winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.

2012/11/22Thu02:53 AM0.7L

2012/11/22Thu08:23 AM1.48H

2012/11/22Thu02:25 PM0.67L

2012/11/22Thu08:30 PM1.94H

Friday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2012/11/23Fri03:55 AM0.39L

2012/11/23Fri09:47 AM1.45H

2012/11/23Fri03:06 PM0.84L

2012/11/23Fri08:59 PM2.07H

 Solunar Forecast