News Section: Fishing
Captain Favorite's Weekend Fishing Forecast Oct. 18, 2012
BRADENTON -- Stone crab season is finally here! It is my favorite season because not only are the crabs delicious, but they are a renewable fishery. The Fall Fly Fishing Challenge will be held next weekend. Fishing for false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel, tripletail and more in the coastal gulf should continue to get better as the water cools and baitfish schools become more concentrated. Shallow water fishing for reds, trout and snook should also continue to improve as it gets cooler. Tonight's new moon should bring some of the best fishing of the month!
Fishing Updates
- 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.
- On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) will open its doors to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for MarineQuest 2012. Visitors can explore the world of science at FWRI headquarters, 100 8thAve. S.E., in downtown St. Petersburg.
- Held in conjunction with the St. Petersburg Science Festival, the 18th annual MarineQuest is a free event that allows visitors of all ages to experience science firsthand with more than 50 exhibits. People can check out live animals in touch tanks, interact with some of Florida’s top scientists and learn about current fish and wildlife research in Florida. Special activities for children include wildlife origami, face painting and the Japanese art of “gyotaku” – fish printing.
- FWRI is the research division of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). FWRI’s work is used by all levels of government, universities, private organizations and the public.
Weekend Forecast
High pressure will build north of the area through Thursday. Another cold front will move into the northeast Gulf waters late Thursday night and then through the remainder of the waters during Friday and Saturday. High pressure will then build in north of the waters during Sunday and into early next week.
Thursday
Southeast winds around 5 knots then becoming west 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Thursday night will bring northwest winds around 5 knots in the evening then becoming southeast around 5 knots after midnight. Bay and inland waters smooth.
Friday
South winds around 5 knots then becoming west around 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay and inland waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers.
Friday night will bring northwest winds around 5 knots. Bay and inland waters smooth. A slight chance of showers in the evening.
Saturday
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
Saturday night will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
Sunday
North winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
Sundaynight will bring northeast winds around 10 knots. Bay and inland waters a light chop.
Tides
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Solunar Forecast
Merab is a writer at the Bradenton Times. She can be reached at merab.favorite@thebradentontimes.com
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