Catch of the Week | |
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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. |
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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)
Trout
Redfish
Snook
Fly Angler Division-based on a point per inch format for redfish, snook, trout and multiple other species (no guides allowed in this division)
Upcoming Events
Fort Myers Boat Show Nov 8-11
Fish and Game Art Exhibition Nov 9
Taste of the Islands Festival Nov 11
Mom and Tot Adventure Programs Nov 16 and Dec 14
Sandsculpting Championship Nov 16
Swamp Heritage Festival Dec 1
Weekly Fishing Report by Capt. Rick Grassett
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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
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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
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Solunar Forecast