Captain’s Corner: Jay Mastry

The Tampa Bay Times

Last Friday’s full moon produced what it traditionally does in May.  It gangs up tarpon at the Skyway Bridge and our areas passes to take advantage of the crab flush.  This activity will likely continue for the next few days, particularly during the late afternoon, stronger than normal outgoing tide.  A study of a tide chart reveals that tide getting later each day.  We may find fishing more productive after dark.  Until now, crabs haven’t been as plentiful at the Skyway as normal but have at some of the other near-by passes.  If fishing the bridge, you may want to gather some bait before you get there.  If fishin’ in a crowd ain’t your thing….  Relief is on the way.  When we get into a normal weather pattern of easterly winds anglers will be able to spread out along our gulf beaches.  Sight casters will be able to “work” schools of tarpon as they migrate up and down our shoreline.  As tarpon fishing has become more and more popular and more and more anglers chasing em’, finding your “own” school has become rare.  Cooperation and consideration is a must when working a school with others.  Rather than hovering on the bunch, get well ahead of them and let them come to you.  Set up and take your shot.   As they go by, leap frog way around the next boat and wait your next turn.  It’ll not only create goodwill, it’ll better your chances of hookin’ up.  Spooking the school with too much pressure will be counter productive.

Captain Jay Mastry