ishing Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum Nov. 5, 2012

Catch of the Week
Kyle Ruffing, from Sarasota, FL, caught and released this 4-pound trout on a Grassett Flats Minnow fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

BRADENTON – There are tons of fishing related events on the forefront! This weekend come out for the Fort Myers Boat Show; admission is $9. Also this weekend is the Taste of the Islands Festival in Sanibel. Then next 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 for false albacore, Spanish mackerel, tripletail and more in the coastal gulf should resume when conditions stabilize. Shallow water fishing for reds, trout and snook should also continue to improve as it gets cooler.

Fishing Updates

2012 MCFF/CCA “Fall Fly Fishing Challenge” Results

The 8th annual MCFF/CCA “Fall Fly Fishing Challenge” was held on Sunday, Oct. 29. The tournament was rescheduled from Saturday due to windy conditions. Despite windy conditions on Sunday many fly anglers still had good action.The tournament, put on jointly by the Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers and the Sarasota chapter of Coastal Conservation Association was held out of the Ken Clark Auditorium at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds. Anglers could fish any water on the west coast of Florida with flies only in a catch, digital photo, release format fishing tournament for reds, trout, snook and more. All fish were photographed and immediately released. Winners were awarded handsome plaques, gift certificates and Orvis fly rods. Donors to the event were Orvis, Redfish Landing Guide Service, CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, Economy Tackle, Discount Tackle Outlet, Flying Fish Outfitters, G. Loomis, Simms, New Pass Grill & Bait Shop and Andy Thornal Company. Tournament participants were treated to a homemade BBQ meal donated and prepared by Capt. John & Leslie Hand.

Open Division-based on total inches (guides, anglers fishing with guides and any other angler wishing to compete)

Slam (largest snook, redfish and trout)

• Brent Wilson, Sarasota, FL                                      59.5”

 Trout

• Steve Gibson, Sarasota, FL                                    67.75”

 Redfish

• Leigh West, Tampa, FL                                          77.25”

 Snook

• Jay Wright, Orlando, FL                                         19.25”

Fly Angler Division-based on a point per inch format for redfish, snook, trout and multiple other species (no guides allowed in this division)

• 1st place-Fred McClendon Lithia, FL                      431 points
• 2nd place-Justin Hamblett, Sarasota, FL                405 points
• 3rd place- Walt Plasson, Sarasota, FL                   342.5 points
  

Upcoming Events

Fort Myers Boat Show Nov 8-11

• The 40th annual Fort Myers Boat Show will be held Nov. 8-11 at the Harborside Event Center & City Yacht Basin (1375 Monroe Street, Fort Myers.) Visitors to the show can stroll along the docks and board everything from offshore fishing boats to luxury yachts to kayaks. Both new and brokerage boats will be shown in the water and indoors and outside are hundreds of trailerable boats of every style imaginable. The show will feature far more than just a display of boats -- there will be displays of electronic equipment, motors, fishing equipment, accessories and other items from manufacturers all over the world. You will also find a wide variety of service companies and education information to help you get the most out of your time on the water. Admission is $9 per person, with kids under 12 free. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more info go to www.FortMyersBoatShow.com.

Fish and Game Art Exhibition Nov 9

• Miami-based artist, angler and television producer and host Capt. Alex Suescun will show 27 words on canvas and fine art paper through Nov. 9 at Rooker Bay  (300 Tower Road, Naples). Suescun, a former Cape Coral resident, is a professional redfish angler and self-taught graphic artist an illustrator.
• He is best known as the executive producer and host of the saltwater television show Tarpon Bay Tales, which airs nationwide. Suescun often incorporates his own still photography and illustrations in the graphics of his show, which led home to form hi art business. In his words, he aims to capture the beauty of game fish and wildlife as well as the pride and joy of the anglers and hunters who pursue them. For more info, call 239-417-6310.

Taste of the Islands Festival Nov 11

• Sanibel and Captiva's best island event is back from 12:30 to 5 p.m., Nov 11 at Sanibel Community Park (2231Periwinkle Way, Sanibel) for the 31st year. Set to the tune of live bands, local restaurants showcase their most decadent dishes to earn top honors for their dish from esteemed judges and the crowd. Tickets are $5 at the gate; children 10 and younger are free. Food and beverage tickets are available throughout the event.
• Event proceeds are donated to the mission of CROW (the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife).

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 o home 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 earth 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 rid 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

Bill Moore, from Libertyvile, IL, caught and released this permit on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing a deep grass flat on the west side of Sarasota Bay with 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, bluefish and a permit in Sarasota Bay on flies and lures during the past week. With bay water cooling down, big trout have moved into shallow water. A couple of trips early in the week were rescheduled due to winds still above 25 mph from passing Hurricane Sandy and the strong front behind it.

Fly anglers Jon Yenari and Kyle Ruffing, both from Sarasota, Fla., fished Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday. They caught and released trout, including one over four pounds, on my Grassett Flats Minnow, glass minnow and several other fly patterns along the east side of the bay. They also had numerous shots at big trout and reds with flies in shallow water later in the day.

Bill Moore, from Libertyville, Ill., fished Sarasota Bay with me on Thursday. He caught and released trout on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos on the west side of Sarasota Bay. We were pleasantly surprised when Bill caught and released a permit on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing a deep grass flat for trout.

I attended a Federation of Fly Fishers continuing education class for fly casting instructors in Ruskin on Friday. The class, taught by several Master Certified Casting Instructors and Casting Board of Governors members, covered a variety of topics and teaching techniques. Sharing ideas and teaching styles is a great way to stay sharp and become a better teacher.

Fly angler Frank Zaffino, from Rochester, N.Y., fished Sarasota Bay with me on Saturday. We checked the coastal gulf and found lots of birds and bait,  but no mackerel or false albacore (little tunny). We moved back into Sarasota bay where Frank caught and released trout and a couple of nice bluefish that each took him into his backing on Clouser flies along the west side of the bay. He also had shots at big trout and reds in shallow water.

Fishing for false albacore, Spanish mackerel, tripletail and more in the coastal gulf should resume when conditions stabilize. Shallow water fishing for reds, trout and snook should also continue to improve as it gets cooler.

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

A weak cold front will move into the Gulf waters tonight and through the waters on Monday. An area of low pressure will develop in the northeast Gulf early Tuesday and drag a cold front across the waters Tuesday afternoon. High pressure will build north of the waters Wednesday through Friday.

Monday

Northwest winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Patchy fog in the morning. Monday night will bring north winds around 10 knots then becoming east around 5 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight.

Tuesday

South winds 10 to 15 knots then becoming west around 20 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters choppy. Showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Tuesday night will bring northwest winds around 20 knots then becoming north around 10 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters choppy.

Wednesday

Northwest winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Wednesday night will bring north winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

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.

Friday

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

Tides

Solunar Forecast