ishing Captain Favorite's Weekend Fishing Forecast May 3, 2012

BRADENTON -- In our new weekend segment we will now be featuring a fishing/boating related product -- this week check out the DOA lures, which are on sale at all Florida Dick's Sporting Goods stores. Grouper season started on May 1, 2012. This weekend check out the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina Beach or the Panacea Blue Crab Festival.

Product of the Week

Manufacturers of soft plastic baits that resemble real shrimp, and crabs. Shad tails are four-inch Jerk baits, Paddle tail Grubs and Curly tails and are also effective when rigged with D.O.A. 3 inch and 4 inch shrimp. DOA lures, which are on sale at all Florida Dick's Sporting Goods stores.

Upcoming Events 

Grouper Fishing Reopens May 1 in Atlantic, Monroe Co. Waters 

• Anglers targeting grouper in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County, will be able to take some of their catch home starting May 1, when the season reopens to harvest. Species included in the recreational and commercial opening are gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby. State waters in the Atlantic are from shore to three miles out.
• The harvest of these species of grouper will remain open through Jan. 1, 2013. The harvest closure was put in place to ensure the long-term sustainability of Atlantic grouper species.
• Recreational anglers targeting these species may not take more than three grouper per person per day. Within this three-fish limit, anglers may possess only one gag or black grouper (not both). The captain and crew of for-hire vessels are not allowed to keep any grouper.
• Dehooking tools are required to be aboard commercial and recreational vessels for use as needed to remove hooks from Atlantic reef fish. 
• The town of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida is the birthplace of the modern, motorized shrimping industry. The origin of our Shrimp Festival was an annual spring shrimp boat race, during which the shrimpers' wives served shrimp dishes. Today our festival still includes shrimp boats and great food, as well as a parade, a pirate invasion, music, entertainment, and fine art, crafts and antiques.

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

• The festival will kick off May 4-6, 2012 at 102 Centre Street in Fernandina Beach, Florida
• The event will include parade, exhibits, arts and crafts, antiques, games, contests, shrimp and other seafood for the whole family. Live music at the waterfront and Blessing of the Fleet.
• For more information email 4info@shrimpfestival.com or visit www.shrimpfestival.com

Panacea Blue Crab Festival 

• The festival will kick off May 5, 2012 at Woolley Park on Dickerson Bay in Panacea, Florida
• As a part of local history, the festival originated in 1975 to promote the crab industry in Wakulla County. The festival is kicked off by a parade down U.S. Highway 98. After the parade, the gates open to Woolley Park for a day of waterfront fun. There will be live music, dance performances and historic presentations. Other activities include a crab picking contest, mullet toss, arts and crafts and delicious seafood.

Fishing Forecast 

High pressure will gradually build out of the southwest Atlantic across the Florida Peninsula and into the Gulf of Mexico over the next several days. This will provide lighter winds and lower seas across the region after today. A weakening cold front will approach the area by Monday with the next chance of increased winds and seas along with rain chances.

 

Thursday

South winds around 10 knots becoming west in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Thursday night will bring northeast winds around 5 knots becoming east in the late evening and overnight. Bay and inland waters smooth.

 

Friday

Southeast winds around 5 knots becoming west 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Friday night will bring northwest winds around 5 knots becoming northeast around 5 knots in the late evening and overnight. Bay and inland waters smooth.

 

Saturday

Northwest winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Saturday night will bring northwest winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

 

Sunday

West winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

 

To create your own tide chart, follow the link to  www.noaa.com

Solunar Forecast