Captain Favorite's Weekend Fishing Forecast Aug 23, 2012

BRADENTON -- All eyes are on Tropical Storm Isaac this week as it continues to form in the Caribbean. The storm is scheduled to pass over the southern end of the state on Monday. Residents should put their fishing boats in an open space away from their house and tie it down on the trailer. Any gear outside should be safely secured. Instead of fishing, break out the board games. Get hooked and Let's Go Fishing are great games that can be played with the family even after the lights go out. 

FWC increases lionfish harvest opportunities, asks public to help

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced changes to the lionfish harvest at a media event today in Coral Gables. Harvesting invasive lionfish no longer will require a fishing license when using certain gear, and there is no recreational or commercial bag limit.
• The FWC is taking these actions to encourage more Floridians and visitors to harvest lionfish.

Blue crab trap closure for recreational, commercial harvesters starts Monday on east coast

Recreational and commercial blue crab traps must be removed from all waters from Nassau through Volusia counties before Monday, Aug. 20, in preparation for a 10-day trap closure. These trap closures will give groups authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from the water.

• The closure is from Aug. 20 through 29. The St. Johns River system west of the river’s confluence with the Intracoastal Canal (Intracoastal Waterway) is not included because it closed earlier this year.
• Traps can be placed back in the water after the last day of the trap closure (starting Aug. 30). Until then, blue crabs may be harvested with other gear, such as dip nets and fold-up traps. Blue crab harvesters may also use standard blue crab traps during the closure as long as the traps are secured to a dock or other private property.

Weekend Forecast  

A weakening trough over North Florida will continue to cause showers and thunderstorms over the waters tonight and Thursday. High pressure will build over the waters Friday through the weekend.

Thursday

East winds around 5 knots then becoming north in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Thursday night

will bring northeast winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

Friday

Northeast winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Scattered thunderstorms. Friday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms.

Saturday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Saturday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms.

Sunday

Northeast winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Sunday night will bring northeast winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms..

Tides

Solunar Forecast