Captain Favorite's Weekend Fishing Forecast Oct. 11, 2012

BRADENTON -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission issued an executive order that the bag limit for oysters be lowered to 10, 60-pound bags per person, which is half as much as the previous amount. The fifth annual Ben Gullett Mullet Invitational and fish fry will be held on Oct. 12 and 13, then the Fall Fly Fishing Challenge will be held the next weekend. 

Fishing Updates

Public Input Requested at Oct. 11 Gulf of Mexico Gag Grouper Workshop

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will host a workshop next week to gather public input on Gulf of Mexico gag grouper. The workshop focus will be determining the public’s preferred dates for the 2013 Gulf gag grouper recreational fishing season. Potential changes to the Gulf of Mexico gag grouper bag limit will also be discussed.
• The workshop is from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Perry City Council Meeting Room, 224 S. Jefferson St., in Perry.
• This workshop is a first step in determining the 2013 federal and state Gulf gag grouper recreational season.

Fifth Annual Ben Gullett Mullet Invitational and Fish Fry

• The fifth Annual Gullett Mullet Invitational and Fish Fry is scheduled for October 12 and 13th and is sponsored by Manatee-Sarasota Fish and Game Association, Inc. and the Gullett Family to benefit outdoor activities for youth such as the Annual Jerry Hill Memorial Kids’ Fishing Tournament.
• To register for the mullet fishing tournament, call 792-8314 for a registration form. The contestants will attend a Captain’s Meeting on Friday, October 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Point Civic Association, 637 43rd St. Blvd. W., Palmetto. Weigh-in will begin on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. with the awards ceremony at 6:00 p.m.
• An old fashioned fish fry will be served on Saturday from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Palmetto Point Civic Association for $10 a plate and is open to the public. Diners will have choice of smoked or fried mullet, hush puppies, cheese grits, slaw, cookie and tea. For fish fry tickets call 792-8314.
• The event on Saturday, October 13 will also include a mullet cast netting contest, salt water and fresh water fly tying demonstrations, silent auction and other activities of interest to fishing enthusiasts. 

 Fall Fly Fishing Challenge

• The Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers and Sarasota Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association will hold their 8th annual Fall Fly Fishing Challenge Oct. 27.
• The catch, photo and release event will feature an Open Division for guides and anglers fishing with guides (all anglers are eligible to compete in the Open Division}, and a Fly Angler Division (no guides).
• In the Open Division, eligible species include snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. Those in the Fly Angler Division will fish for a variety of species, including snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, bluefish, ladyfish, flounder, snapper, jack crevalle, pompano and permit based on a points-per-inch system.
• Entry fee is $50 and includes an awards barbecue at Ken Clark Auditorium, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
• Tournament applications are available at area tackle shops or online at http://ccaflorida.org and http://mangrovecoastflyfishers.com.
• Competitors’ meeting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Trader Vic’s, 351 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota.
• For information, call Rick Grassett at (941) 923-7799 or Steve Gibson at (941) 284-3406.

Weekend Forecast  

High pressure will build in over the southeastern states and will be reinforced by an even stronger area of high pressure by the end of the week. Winds and seas are expected to remain below cautionary levels through the rest of today then increase to near cautionary levels during Thursday and continuing into the upcoming weekend as the pressure gradient tightens.

Thursday

Northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Thursday night will bring northeast winds around 15 knots diminishing to 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.

Friday

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

Saturday

Northeast winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Saturday night will brine east winds around 15 knots. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop.

Sunday

East winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Sunday night will bring east winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

Tides

Solunar Forecast