Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum May 27, 2012

Catch of the Week

Andy Ameres caught this 37-inch snook on a shiner in Sarasota Bay.

BRADENTON – Red snapper season begins June 1 in the Gulf, but that also marks the close of Atlantic snook and Gulf amberjack season. The harvest of oysters is now allowed on the weekends in Apalachicola. It’s the last chance for anglers can register at a discounted rate for the Fire Charity Fishing Tournament June 8-10. It’s also the first time they are holding a kids fishing tournament --  $10 entry fee includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday!

Fishing Updates

Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Season Begins June 1 

• The 2012 Gulf of Mexico red snapper recreational harvest season begins June 1 in state and federal waters. The last day of the 40-day season is July 10.
• This year’s state season, which is the same as the 2012 federal recreational red snapper season in the Gulf of Mexico, was set in May at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting.

Florida state waters in the Gulf extend from shore to nine nautical miles; federal waters extend beyond that line to 200 nautical miles.

• The Gulf red snapper stock is improving, but the population still needs an increase in the number of older fish for it to be sustainable. Red snapper are estimated to live more than 50 years, but the current stock consists primarily of fish that are only a few years old. Older fish are the key to rebuilding the population, because older female red snapper produce more eggs than younger females. This season will help continue to rebuild the red snapper population so that more red snapper fishing opportunities will be possible in the future.

Atlantic Snook, Gulf Amberjack to Close in State Waters 

• The recreational harvest of snook in Atlantic state and federal waters and of greater amberjack in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters closes June 1.
• Snook will reopen for harvest in Atlantic federal, state and inland waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, Sept. 1. Snook remains closed for harvest in Gulf of Mexico state waters including Everglades National Park and Monroe County through Aug. 31. A stock assessment on snook will be presented to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at its June 27-28 meeting in West Palm Beach.
• Greater amberjack will reopen for harvest in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters Aug. 1.

Apalachicola Oyster Harvest now Includes Weekends 

• Starting June 1, Apalachicola oysters can be commercially harvested seven days a week throughout the year. Previously, commercial harvest was not allowed on Fridays and Saturdays from June 1 through Aug. 31 and on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 1 through Nov. 15.

5th Annual Fishing Tournament to Benefit Children’s Burn Camp 

• Remember when your dad took you fishing?  How about Grand Dad? NO? Create a memory with your kids and bring them fishing at this special weekend event. Create your own Corporate Team. How about an all Women’s Team!
• There’s even a special Trophy for the winning Firefighter’s Team.
• This fishing tournament will run from June 8-10th along the Manatee River. Besides fishing, there will be live music and family entertainment at Bradenton Yacht Club, located in Palmetto, Florida. 
• Kids can get their faces painted, participate in arts and crafts, pick up beads, and much more. An art auction and raffles will be done to add even more money to the charity. 
• This year’s event was created to bring families together on the water enjoying one of Florida’s favorite sports. AND this Fun FAMILY event is FREE to attend, beginning at 1 pm on Sunday for the Weigh In Party.
• This year the first kids tournament will be held on Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10 a $10 entry fee includes lunch. 

2012 Cape Coral Summer Boat Show & Nautical Flea Market

• The Lee County Nautical Flea Market and BBQ Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the centrally located German America Club, 2101 Southwest Pine Island Road, Cape Coral, FL 33991.
• The Lee County Nautical Flea Market and BBQ Festival is the best place to find bargains, quality and a wide variety of fishing equipment and supplies, restock up here.
• No other event can match the depth of this fishing and boating trade event. People come to flea markets ready to buy or sell, so this is the perfect opportunity to get fishing and boating bargains. 
• PUBLIC BOAT AUCTION...Over 100 boat repossessions, short sales, dealer trades, and private liquidations will be up for sale. 
• The auction boat preview is all day Saturday June 16, 2012 and the sale starts at 11:00 am Sunday June 17, 2011. As many as 10,000 boat enthusiasts have attended past editions of this two day event.
• To pre register to sell or buy a boat, go to www.FLNauticalFleaMarket.com.
• BOAT CORRAL... The boat corral area is completely separate from the nautical flea market area. It is designed for private and dealer new and used boat sales. Customers can shop, compare and make deals directly with the seller. All boats in the corral are for sale. The boat corral is where individuals offer boats and watercraft only (no parts, etc) for sale. 
• All boat corral spots ARE $25.00 and can be reserved http://www.FLNauticalfleamarket.com. Visit the 2012 Lee County Nautical Flea Market and BBQ Festival website for more information, special hotel rates and specific driving directions: http://www.flnauticalfleamarket.com. Vendor applications are still being accepted. For information and discount tickets, visit the website or contact Under the Sun Promotions, Inc. at 954-205-7813, FAX: 561-395-5389

Weekly Fishing Report by Capt. Rick Grassett

Anglers fishing the coastal Gulf off Sarasota with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had lots of shots at tarpon with a fly and with live baits on several trips during the past week. Tarpon were plentiful but often indifferent to our flies, lures and live baits. Fly anglers had a few leans and follows and an angler using spinning tackle on another trip also had lots of shots at tarpon and a bite on a live crab.

We had a new moon last week, which is when tarpon form into large schools as they prepare to spawn. This also happens on full moon phases in the May-July time frame when tides are strong. Often their main focus in those time frames is migrating to spawn, although some may eat a well placed fly, lure or live bait. There are a few things that may up your odds when tarpon are finicky. When casting lures or flies to tarpon schools, let the lead fish pass your lure or fly and move it in front of the followers further back in the school. Fish further back in the school usually feel more secure and willing to eat. Also, if you spook the lead fish she will take all the other fish with her.

Live bait anglers should leave their baits in the water on the same line where fish are spotted rolling. When large tarpon schools are traveling they are often strung out in a long line and are moving fast. There may be a lot more tarpon still coming on the same line where you see a fish roll, so be patient and wait for a bite.

As we head further away from last Monday’s new moon, tarpon should be in a better mood and more willing to eat. Look for schools of tarpon at first light in the morning in deeper areas along beaches. Spin anglers may hook up with live crabs, pinfish, DOA 4” shrimp, Baitbusters and Swimming Mullet. Fly anglers should do best with baitfish fly patterns such as Lefty’s Deceiver and EP flies in dark colors fished on intermediate sink tip fly lines.

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

Subtropical storm Beryl will slowly approach the northeast coast of Florida late today/tonight. This system will bring rain and the risk for elevated winds and seas through the beginning part of the week mainly over the northern waters.

Monday

Southwest winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Monday night will bring southwest winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There is a chance of thunderstorms.

2012/05/28 Mon    01:17 AM       0.14    L

2012/05/28 Mon    07:40 AM       1.66    H

2012/05/28 Mon    01:29 PM       1.05    L

2012/05/28 Mon    06:32 PM       1.77    H

Tuesday

Southwest winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. There is a chance of thunderstorms. Tuesday night will bring southwest winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. There is a chance of thunderstorms.

2012/05/29 Tue     02:05 AM       0.32    L

2012/05/29 Tue     08:17 AM       1.81    H

2012/05/29 Tue     02:59 PM       0.8       L

2012/05/29 Tue     08:08 PM       1.59    H

Wednesday

West winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. There is a chance of thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring southwest winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a slight chance of showers after midnight.

2012/05/30 Wed    02:52 AM       0.53    L

2012/05/30 Wed    08:54 AM       2.0       H

2012/05/30 Wed    04:14 PM       0.49    L

2012/05/30 Wed    09:48 PM       1.49    H

Thursday

West winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There is a chance of thunderstorms. Thursday night will bring south winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There is a slight chance of showers.

2012/05/31 Thu     03:36 AM       0.74    L

2012/05/31 Thu     09:31 AM       2.2       H

2012/05/31 Thu     05:19 PM       0.16    L

2012/05/31 Thu     11:18 PM       1.45    H

Friday

West winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms.

2012/06/01 Fri       04:18 AM       0.93    L

2012/06/01 Fri       10:09 AM       2.4       H

2012/06/01 Fri       06:16 PM       -0.14   L

2012/05/25Fri11:43 PM-0.1L

Solunar Forecast