Captain’s Corner: Jay Mastry

The Tampa Bay Times

A new moon, the favorable tides associated with it, and what had been ideal weather conditions earlier this week sparked a mangrove snapper bite inside Tampa Bay that’s been hard to beat.  The quick striking “mangos” chewed aggressively during the last of the outgoing and beginning of the incoming tides.  Three inch scaled sardines or what we call “whitebait” has been the preferred bait of choice.  If anchoring on your favorite bait flat and chumming them to you is required, it’ll be time well spent.  A ¼ or 3/8 inch mesh cast net is perfect for the “skinny” water and won’t gill any of them.  Tarpon are showing up everywhere they usually do this time of year.  There’s been some at the Skyway Bridge and the north end of Egmont Key.  There’s been others coming and going at a couple of the artificial reefs inside Tampa Bay .  We’ve observed some rolling on the surface while “mango” fishing some hard bottom patches well up inside the Bay.  If weather permits, the Skyway and the passes on either side of Egmont Key will be worth a look this weekend.  Coming off the new moon, the late afternoon outgoing tide is going to be dumping and there’s going to be some crabs flowing with it.  Tarpon will instinctively be there for the easy pickins’ and just may grab yours as you drift through.

Captain Jay Mastry