Captain’s Corner: Jay Mastry

The Tampa Bay Times

What a difference the moon makes.  Friday’s new moon sparked some activity we hadn’t seen before it.  Good numbers of mangrove snapper showed up over the weekend in 40-50 ft. where there had previously been few.  This moon phase seemingly “opened the flood gates” allowing schools of tarpon to pour along our gulf beaches.  From Honeymoon Island to Longboat Key and nearly everywhere in between, large bunches of silverkings can be seen rolling on the surface as they migrate along our coastline.  It’s well documented tarpon are finicky eaters.  You may properly present baits in front of a school of a hundred fish and not be able to buy a bite.  We write it off as tarpon acting like tarpon.  Other times it may be they’re just not chewin’ what we’re offering.  I’ve spent hours working schools of slow moving fish, laying greenbacks and pinfish well out in front of the oncoming bunch only to have them swim right through my lines.  Flip out a crab on my next set up and watch them fight over it.  Go figure.  Same deal when soaking bottom baits for tarpon.  On a given day they may turn their noses up at a mullet or ladyfish but offer up a fresh dead shad and…. PA-POW!!  We’re on.  With the popularity of tarpon fishing increasing, we’re witnessing an unfortunate trend.  When beach fishing, seems some anglers rather than looking for their own fish are instead looking for boats that have already found theirs.  Those that have found some deserve the opportunity to work em’ before others barge in and spook the bunch.  C’mon man, a little consideration goes a long way.

Captain Jay Mastry