Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By JAY MASTRY
Published July 21, 2005

For the next two or three days, tarpon fishing will likely be more productive after hours.

Nocturnal feeders by nature, the silver kings will have their appetites stimulated into a frenzy by the effects of the full moon. July's full moon has been among the best bets for battling the often elusive fish. Last year, double-digit hookups were common on nights surrounding the moon. On some full moon nights, we've had 20 during a single tide.

This year's tarpon season has been an exception. The Red Tide outbreak reduced productivity to a fraction of what we normally catch and release. Though it seems to be clearing, tarpon have been slow to return to their familiar haunts.

Generally during the full moon, pass crabs are swept from the bay during the outgoing tide. Tarpon stack up at the Sunshine Skyway bridge and the passes on either side of Egmont to take advantage of the easy pickings. This year, we are going to have to wait and see. In the past I've spent these nights edge-fishing along gulf beaches. Within a mile of shore in 12-16 feet, tarpon cruise the sandbars and go out of their way to pick up a fresh shad on the bottom.

Fishing some structure in the unaffected bay areas may be an option. Rock piles, oyster bars and rock-laden edges of ship channels will attract tarpon looking to ambush baits by moonlight. I've had some big nights on a falling moon; I've done better on a rising one. Plan your trip to include a tide change if possible; a solunar period would be a bonus.

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

[Last modified July 21, 2005, 00:57:10]