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Daily fishing report

Nighttime has been the right time to hunt tarpon this week. The night bite may even get better next week.

Tarpon feeding habits likely will be affected by Monday's full moon. They are notoriously moody during daylight in this phase, often because they eat all night.

Areas of structure and tide rips are particularly attractive after hours when searching for silver kings. Whether at the Gandy or Skyway bridge or the rock-laden edges of the channel near Port Manatee or Port Tampa, tarpon will congregate to ambush bait. Crabs pulled off the grass flats by the stronger-than-normal outgoing tides don't stand a chance when drifting through the Skyway. And a shrimp or greenback won't die of old age if flylined along the light line at the Gandy. There is no better bait than a fresh shad on the bottom when the tide slows.

The 90-foot hole at Egmont will be popular early next week; so will the "edge" along Pass-A-Grille, Anna Maria and Longboat Key. When fishing these areas at night, don't get too far from shore. Seeking the shelter of the shoreline, tarpon often cruise just outside the swim buoys.

Pay attention to tide changes and solunar periods. Make sure your running lights work, your spotlight is fully charged and you have plenty of rigs premade. Tarpon aren't the only nocturnal feeders; sharks and other predators like to come out and play by the light of the moon.

-- Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.

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