Captain Favorite's Fishing Forum Sept. 10, 2012

Catch of the Week
Jordan caught and releaased this 36-inch snook while fishing with Capt. Chad Gamble.

BRADENTON – Veterans now have an easier route to become a commercial fisherman. Tampa’s largest and longest-running boat show will take place from September 21 through 29. Capt. Rick Grassett Fishing recommends fishing for false albacore (little tunny). Spanish mackerel should be good in the coastal gulf when sea conditions are good. Look for diving terns and breaking fish to find them. Catch and release snook before dawn and then moving to the flats for trout and reds in Sarasota Bay should also be good next week. Tarpon of all sizes may be another good option in upper Charlotte Harbor depending on conditions.

Fishing Updates

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.

Tampa Boat Show

• Tampa’s largest and longest-running boat show is the best place to see and buy boats, gear and accessories! From fishing to cruising to family fun there are boats for every lifestyle, activity and budget—see everything from luxury yachts to personal watercraft displayed on land and in the water at the Tampa Convention Center. Shop booths showcasing the latest in engines, marine electronics, accessories and fishing gear, too.
• Tampa Convention Center
• September 21, 2012 - September 23, 2012

Weekly Fishing Report by Capt. Rick Grassett

Ernie Varvoutis, from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., caught and released this false albacore (little tunny) on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with 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 snook, redfish and trout in Sarasota Bay during the past week. We also caught and released false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal gulf and jumped several tarpon in upper Charlotte Harbor and Sarasota Bay on couple of trips.

I scouted tarpon in upper Charlotte Harbor on Wednesday and found them in a couple of areas. We had numerous shots at rolling juvenile tarpon and jumped two on gold/black DOA TerrorEyz. These “mini silver kings”, usually between 10 and 30-pounds with some larger ones mixed in, jump higher and more often than their larger counterparts. Great fun on medium spinning tackle or an eight or nine-weight fly rod!

Jon Grimes, from Longboat Key, Fla. and Ernie Varvoutis, from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., fished lighted docks on the east side of Sarasota Bay before dawn with me on Friday morning. They had a strong start, jumping an estimated 10-pound tarpon and catching and releasing a slam on the boat consisting of several snook to 24-inch, trout and a red on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. We fished the coastal gulf off Sarasota after daylight and had good action with albies, hooking seven or eight including a couple of doubles and landed several up to about 8-pounds, also on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly.

Fishing for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and more should be good in the coastal gulf when sea conditions are good. Look for diving terns and breaking fish to find them. Catch and release snook before dawn and then moving to the flats for trout and reds in Sarasota Bay should also be good next week. Tarpon of all sizes may be another good option in upper Charlotte Harbor depending on conditions.

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 move into the region Tuesday and stall across the forecast area during midweek. Winds will shift to the southwest and increase by Tuesday then weaken some as the boundary lingers over the waters.

Monday

Southeast winds around 10 knots becoming south in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the morning then numerous showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday night will bring south winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms in the evening.

2012/09/17Mon01:25 a.m.2.34H

2012/09/17Mon08:31 a.m.0.34L

2012/09/17Mon02:32 p.m.2.26H

2012/09/17Mon08:37 p.m.1.03L

Tuesday

Southwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Bay and inland waters choppy. Scattered thunderstorms. Tuesday night will bring west winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms.

2012/09/18Tue01:52 a.m.2.5H

2012/09/18Tue09:20 a.m.0.21L

2012/09/18Tue03:25 p.m.2.08H

2012/09/18Tue09:03 p.m.1.2L

Wednesday

Northwest winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered thunderstorms. Wednesday night will bring north winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the evening.

2012/09/19Wed02:25 a.m.2.63H

2012/09/19Wed10:15 a.m.0.17L

2012/09/19Wed04:27 p.m.1.87H

2012/09/19Wed09:28 p.m.1.33L

Thursday

North winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon.

2012/09/20Thu03:03 a.m.2.7H

2012/09/20Thu11:19 a.m.0.19L

2012/09/20Thu05:48 p.m.1.68H

2012/09/20Thu09:51 p.m.1.44L

Solunar Forecast