Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum Sept. 10, 2012

Catch of the Week
Gary Mitz, from CO, caught and released this big red on a Clouser fly while fishing Saraosta Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

BRADENTON – Officials are warning that feeding dolphins can be dangerous. Veterans now have an easier route to become a commercial fisherman and our favorite marine artist Guy Harvey is donating to youth conservation centers. Capt. Rick Grassett recommends catching and releasing snook before dawn and then moving to the flats for trout and reds in Sarasota Bay next week.

Fishing Updates

Officials: "Never feed dolphins" 

• Bottlenose dolphins are beautiful marine mammals. Tourists who travel to the Gulf Coast love to see them. But dolphins should never be fed.

Sometimes, unfortunately, they are. That’s the assessment of officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service.

However, it is illegal to feed dolphins under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a federal law that’s been in effect since 1972.

• On July 16, the FWC received a call about a dolphin biting a female swimmer at the Panama City Pass. The unidentified swimmer was reportedly part of a dolphin tour but was not feeding dolphins when she was bitten on the leg. Her injuries were minor and did not require medical treatment, according to a report.
• “Dolphins are large, powerful creatures, and it’s illegal to feed them for several reasons,” said Elsa Haubold, section leader in the FWC’s Species Conservation Planning Section. “They have sharp teeth, and anyone who offers them food is subject to being bitten and injured.

FWC decides to make it easier for Fla. veterans to become commercial fishermen

• Florida veterans wishing to enter the commercial fishing industry may soon be able to do so more easily thanks to changes made today at the Sept. 5-6 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting in Tampa. These changes are anticipated to take effect on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2012.
• The Commission implemented a new program that will modify income requirements for Florida veterans seeking a commercial restricted species endorsement license.
• The restricted species endorsement allows commercial harvesters to fish for and sell species that are designated as restricted.
• Spanish and king mackerel, flounder, shrimp, dolphin and several reef fish are among the list of species that require a restricted species endorsement.
• Currently, commercial harvesters attempting to qualify for a restricted species endorsement license must have a Florida Saltwater Products License, which is Florida’s commercial saltwater fishing license, and be able to attribute $5,000 or 25 percent of their total annual income during one of the past three years to sales of saltwater products.
• With the new changes in place, restricted species endorsement income requirements will be waived for one license year (July 1 - June 30) for Florida veterans who were honorably discharged between Sept. 11, 2001, and June 30, 2014. After June 30, 2014, this income requirement waiver will continue to extend to Florida veterans so long as they apply within four years of an honorable discharge.

Guy Harvey donates to youth conservation centers 

• The Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN), whose goal is to create the next generation that cares about fish and wildlife conservation, is the beneficiary of a lot of good friends.
• One of those friends is renowned marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recognized Harvey and his company this morning in Tampa for their support of FYCCN programs that get kids involved in conservation-based recreation.
• “We are proud and excited to partner with FYCCN in furtherance of our marine educational programs and goals,” said Dr. Harvey. “This partnership will help us to teach and develop the next generation of responsible Florida sportsmen and women.”
• Steve Stock, president of Guy Harvey Inc. and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, both headquartered in Davie, presented on behalf of Harvey a check for $50,000 to the Wildlife Foundation of Florida to help fund FYCCN saltwater fishing camps that infuse in youths conservation ethics and a sense of stewardship related to the sport of fishing.
• “The importance of developing in our children a strong personal connection with nature and a conservation ethic to match cannot be overstated,” said Stock. “The future of the state’s natural resources depends on it.”

Weekly Fishing Report by 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 redfish, trout, Spanish mackerel, and blue runners in Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf on flies on a couple of trips during the past week.

Gary Mintz, from CO, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday. We caught a few trout and ladyfish on Siesta Key lighted docks before dawn, but snook were finicky. We checked the coastal gulf and found lots of Spanish mackerel feeding on the surface off Siesta Key where he caught and released Spanish mackerel and blue runners on Ultra Hair Clouser flies. Gary finished the morning strong with a nice red and numerous trout on a Clouser fly near Bishop Point. An instructional fly fishing trip later in the week was slow.

Catch and release snook before dawn and then moving to the flats for trout and reds in Sarasota Bay should be a good option next week. Snook are also moving onto shallow fats of Sarasota Bay. Juvenile tarpon in upper Charlotte Harbor should be another good option. Check the coastal gulf for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and more when sea conditions are good.

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

A weakening cold front will settle into the area tonight with the boundary gradually stalling across the waters during Monday and Tuesday. Strong high pressure to the north will then build into the coastal waters through Wednesday pushing the boundary south of the area. Moderate east to northeast flow then will remain in place across the waters through the end of the week with near advisory conditions possible.

Monday

Northeast winds around 5 knots then becoming northwest in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters smooth. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Monday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated showers.

2012/09/10Mon01:53 a.m.1.57L

2012/09/10Mon07:59 a.m.2.27H

2012/09/10Mon04:40 p.m.0.49L

2012/09/10Mon11:33 p.m.1.7H

Tuesday

East winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Tuesday night will bring northeast winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.

2012/09/11Tue03:32 a.m.1.5L

2012/09/11Tue09:21 a.m.2.32H

2012/09/11Tue05:29 p.m.0.44L

2012/09/11Tue11:53 p.m.1.76H

Wednesday

Northeast winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Isolated thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring northeast winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.

2012/09/12Wed04:40 a.m.1.36L

2012/09/12Wed10:26 a.m.2.4H

2012/09/12Wed06:09 p.m.0.44L

Thursday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms. Thursday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

2012/09/13Thu12:10 a.m.1.82H

2012/09/13Thu05:33 a.m.1.18L

2012/09/13Thu11:20 a.m.2.46H

2012/09/13Thu06:44 p.m.0.48L

Friday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated thunderstorms.

2012/09/14Fri12:26 a.m.1.91H

2012/09/14Fri06:18 a.m.0.96L

2012/09/14Fri12:08 p.m.2.49H

2012/09/14Fri07:14 p.m.0.57L

Solunar Forecast