Captain Favorite's Weekend Fishing Forecast July 12, 2012

BRADENTON -- Get ready for the 16th Annual DeSoto Fishing Tournament this weekend. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms will continue overnight each day, with better storm coverage from south Tampa Bay. As the moon wanes to new, fishing should get better over the weekend and be at its best early next week.

16th Annual DeSoto Fishing Tournament 

• DeSoto Fishing Tournament Committee members are switching it up a bit by relocating to Tarpon Point Grille and Tiki Bar and Tarpon Pointe Marina this year. 
• Participants will be fishing from July 13-15, with a weigh-in schedule from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. with the awards party following shortly after.
• The tournament was previously located at the Bradenton Yacht Club.
• Anglers hoping to compete in the event should register by July 6 to receive a discounted early admission fee. Divisions include offshore, inshore, spearfishing and junior.

• A children’s tournament will be held on Saturday, July 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Only the first forty applicants may compete. The children’s awards will be held following the tournament.

Weekend Forecast  

The surface ridge axis over the northern Gulf of Mexico will lift north through the weekend to the mid-Atlantic coast by the weekend. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms will continue overnight each day with better storm coverage from south Tampa Bay.

Thursday

Southeast winds around 5 knots becoming southwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. A chance of thunderstorms. Thursday night will bring south winds around 10 knots becoming east around 5 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

Friday

Southeast winds around 5 knots becoming southwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. Numerous thunderstorms. Friday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

Saturday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Saturday night will bring east winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

Sunday

East winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Scattered thunderstorms.

Tides

Solunar Forecast