Much like the full moon a couple weeks ago, this past weekends new moon phase shared many of the same features:  strong afternoon outgoing tides, a good flow of crabs, and tarpon in the mood to chew.  Even in the better weather, a noticeable difference however was the reduced numbers of fish we saw.  It’s a popular belief that this time of year many go offshore to spawn.  Do not despair – they’re not gone very long.  They do this every year and when they get back, they often eat with a vengeance.  We anchor fished off St. Pete Beach Saturday morning and in spite of a pretty poor flow of fish we coaxed a few into chewing.  One chose a fresh, dead shad we were soaking in eleven feet of water.  The others preferred pass crabs we offered suspended beneath corks.  On Dad’s day we took advantage of the late afternoon crab flush.  We hooked and fought three tarpon, each for a significant amount of time while drifting crabs through the passes on either side of Egmont Key only to have each of them fall prey to ravenous bull sharks.  I know it’s natures way and they have to eat too… but I’m never going to get used to the gut wrenching feeling you get when you witness that prized game fish that you and she battled with all you had, get savagely attacked and abruptly robbed of the satisfaction of watching her swim away after the release.  It can happen anywhere tarpon roam, but around here right now, if you’re fishing Egmont Key or the Skyway Bridge , it’d be best not to get to attached to the tarpon you’re fishing.  It’s likely not going to end well.

Captain Jay Mastry 

CapMel Staff
Latest posts by CapMel Staff (see all)

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR