Bradenton Times News Articles

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.

Several species of grouper will close to recreational and commercial harvest starting 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.

Recreational harvest of snook in all Atlantic waters closed December 14, and will remain closed until the end of August. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created a long-term survival plan for 60 species. Sarasota based Capt. Rick Grassett recommends looking for redfish in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low or higher on shallow grass flats at the top of the tide. Anglers can also find trout, bluefish and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Tripletail should remain a good option in the coastal Gulf.

Grey or Mangrove snapper are one of the most sought after recreational fish in southwest Florida — they will take a variety of baits, are good eating, and are relatively easy to catch. Also, they can be found in virtually all coastal and offshore habitats from mangroves (as their name implies) out to natural ledges and artificial reefs in deeper waters. Hence, they are caught in both state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Marine Scene readers might look at these numbers and lament that some of the numbers are down. But take heart! Bay scallops are essentially an annual crop (read more below) and naturally subject to wide fluctuations in abundance on an annual basis. This is why it is important to collect information over a number of years throughout southwest Florida.

Recreational harvest of snook in all Atlantic waters closed December 14, and will remain closed until the end of Auguest. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created a long-term survival plan for 60 species. Sarasota based Capt. Rick Grassett recommends looking for redfish in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low or higher on shallow grass flats at the top of the tide. Anglers can also find trout, bluefish and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Tripletail should remain a good option in the coastal Gulf.

Recreational harvest of snook in all Atlantic waters will close December 14, and will remain closed until the end of August. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created a long-term survival plan for 60 species. Sarasota based Capt. Rick Grassett recommends scouting out trout, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, flounder and on deep grass flatsy. Shallow water fishing for reds and big trout should also be good into next week. He said to look for them in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low, or higher on shallow grass flats at the top of the tide. Tripletail should remain a good option in the coastal gulf when conditions are good.

Recreational harvest of snook in all Atlantic waters will close December 14, and will remain closed until the end of Auguest. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created a long-term survival plan for 60 species. Sarasota based Capt. Rick Grassett recommends scouting out trout, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, flounder and on deep grass flatsy. Shallow water fishing for reds and big trout should also be good into next week. He said to look for them in potholes and on the edges of bars when the tide is low, or higher on shallow grass flats at the top of the tide. Tripletail should remain a good option in the coastal gulf when conditions are good.

 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has come up with a draft of the Gulf gag grouper recreational season. If approved, it will make most Gulf state waters consistent with the current federal season. The FWCC is also considering designating some species game fish or sport fish. The size limit for Atlantic bass has now increased from 10 inches to 11 inches. Captain Rachel Cato recommends fishing moving water with sardines or shrimp for the best fishing results.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has come up with a draft of the Gulf gag grouper recreational season. If approved it will make most Gulf state waters consistent with the current federal season. The FWCC is also considering designating some species game fish or sport fish. The size limit for Atlantic bass has now increased from 10 inches to 11 inches. Captain Rachel Cato recommends fishing moving water with sardines or shrimp for the best fishing results.