If you are looking to fish for tarpon and beat the heat, nighttime is going to be the right time.
Tarpon sometimes get squirrelly in daylight around a full moon. Their behavior patterns change. Schools may roll once or twice, then not be seen again. Some will hold bait in their mouths but not aggressively swallow. Still others pass up bait altogether, even when properly presented.
All that changes after hours. You may find the nights surrounding Thursday's full moon more productive than the days.
I like fishing structure at night. Bridges are a good bet. Rock piles, reefs in the bay, oyster bars and rocky channel edges leading into ports will attract silver kings looking to ambush bait.
If fishing the beaches after dark, choose an area where you have seen fish rolling during the day. Often it may be in 10-15 feet and many times only a cast or two outside the swim buoys. Because you may not care to fish all night, choosing the most productive hours is key.
I generally plan trips around tide changes and solunar periods, then pay particular attention to whether the moon is rising or falling when most bites occur. Take a spotlight and a backup. Get a GPS reading on where you are anchored so you can return to your anchor ball if you have to throw it while chasing one down.
- Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.
