With the success of tarpon fishing the recently passed new moon, there’s much to look forward to.  The days surrounding the upcoming full moon on the 17th promise to be among the most productive times of the season to get in on the action.  The stronger than normal tidal movement will trigger the bite.  Tarpon will bunch up at Bean Point on the north end of Anna Maria and be caught chunking pieces of cut bait on the incoming tide.  Crabs will flow during the peak outgoing tide in the late afternoon during this phase and tarpon instinctively gather at the Skyway Bridge and Egmont Key to take advantage. Anchoring along the gulf beaches and letting them come to you will be another option.  It’s a way to avoid the crowds and some of the best of it can be done after dark.  Tarpon like to chew at night during the full moon.  We’ve done well on both but I like a rising moon when it’s full.  Depending on the night it’ll be rising between 8:00 pm and midnight during this phase.  There’s few things better than seeing an angry – six foot mass of gill rattlin’, twisted chrome explode out of the water then crash back down on a moonlit night.  Always keep your gear in order, particularly when anchor fishing.  Thursday, we had one of those epic hour long battles with one of the biggest tarpon caught on my boat.  On her initial run – she peeled off all but about 10 of the 300 yards of line I have packed on my 4 ought reels we use when we bottom fish.  Even with a “throw ball” on the anchor, it takes a bit to get in the six other lines.  My anglers burnt thumb may likely be the only reason we didn’t get stripped.  If you’ve got short line on any of your reels – replace it.  You don’t want that to be the one “Godzilla” hits when she comes along.

ntaylor
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