Bradenton Times News Articles

This past weekend marked the close of gulf grouper season and the opening of snook season on the Atlantic Coast, which runs through May 1. Snook season will remained closed in the Gulf. The FWCC is considering a proposal that would designate certain fish as game fish or sport fish at their meeting on Feb. 13. Our contributing Capt. Rick Grassett said the best action next week should be with trout, Spanish mackerel, blues, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. He recommends looking for reds around docks, in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low, or on shallow flats on sunny afternoons when the tide is high.

Our contributing Capt. Rick Grassett will help people learn to fly fish on the weekend of Feburary 9. Also coming up is the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta in St. Pete from Feburary 15-17. Anglers are encouraged to look for trout, Spanish mackerel, blues, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Also look for reds around docks, in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low or on shallow flats on sunny afternoons when the tide is high. Catch and release snook fishing in the ICW at night should also be a good option.

Our contributing Capt. Rick Grassett will help people learn to fly fish on the weekend of Feburary 9. Also coming up is the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regatta in St. Pete from Feburary 15-17. Anglers are encouraged to look for trout, Spanish mackerel, blues, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Also look for reds around docks, in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low or on shallow flats on sunny afternoons when the tide is high. Catch and release snook fishing in the ICW at night should also be a good option.

Some of the best fishing will take place over the weekend as a full moon approaches. Capt. Rick Grassett recommends searching for reds on shallow flats on sunny afternoons and trout, Spanish mackerel, blues, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. He says to also look for reds around docks, in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low. Catch and release snook fishing in the ICW at night should also be a good option.

Take a moonlit bike ride in Myakka State Park or spend the weekend at the Goodland Fla. mullet festival. Capt. Rick Grassett recommends searching for reds on shallow flats on sunny afternoons and trout, Spanish mackerel, blues, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. He says to also look for reds around docks, in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low. Catch and release snook fishing in the ICW at night should also be a good option.

For the first time, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hosting a python challenge that will run through February 10. Over 800 participants have signed up, and could win up to $1,500 in prizes. The Charlotte County Boat Show is this weekend: there will be tons of new and used boats to see!

In this week's edition, Capt. Matt Ercoli gives a detailed year-end fishing report for 2012, and explains what anglers can expect in the new year. For the first time, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hosting a python challenge that will run through February 10. Over 800 participants have signed up, and could win up to $1,500 in prizes. The Charlotte County Boat Show is coming soon, Jan. 15-20, there will be tons of new and used boats to see. As far as weather is concerned, a cold front is expected to arrive on Wednesday, so bundle up when you get out on the water!

 There are a couple of exciting state park events coming up over the next couple of weeks. At the beginning of the month, several species of grouper closed to recreational and commercial harvest starting January 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. Captain Rick Grassett reported that large ladyfish, mixed with trout and blues, are plentiful on deep grass flats close to passes. Although ladyfish are not usually targeted, they are a nice diversion for anglers focused on action while searching for other species often found in the same environment. 

There are a couple of exciting state park events coming up over the next couple of weeks. At the beginning of the month, several species of grouper closed to recreational and commercial harvest starting January 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. Captain Rick Grassett reported that large ladyfish, mixed with trout and blues, are plentiful on deep grass flats close to passes. Although ladyfish are not usually targeted, they are a nice diversion for anglers focused on action while searching for other species often found in the same environment. 

Several species of grouper will closed to recreational and commercial harvest on January 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. A weak cold front moves into the northeast Gulf Tuesday night and become stationary through Thursday. Capt. Rick Grassett says shallow water fishing for reds and big trout should also be good next week as the full moon wanes.