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Full Moon, Stronger Tides On Tap

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 16, 2008

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Ray Markham.

Friday's full moon is sure to bring out the mangrove snapper in Tampa Bay.

July and August are two good months for mangrove snapper to school in preparation for spawning. They are particularly ravenous.

Over the past few weeks, I've witnessed large schools of mangrove snapper and gag grouper working together in lower Tampa Bay over hard bottom areas to ball up bait schools.

Small scaled sardines and threadfin herring along with glass minnows are being herded up into tight balls of bait. At the same time, the mangrove snapper and grouper move in for the kill, attacking the bait balls in a feeding frenzy much like schools of jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel or ladyfish.

These fish were feeding competitively, all vying for the same food, which made them less particular. While these fish would hit just about anything thrown into the fray, they hit our CAL Jigs, DOA Shrimp, and MirrOlure

MirrOdine XL lures without hesitation.

Trout fishing in lower Tampa Bay has been consistent. Deeper grass ranging from 5 to 8 feet is producing some nice trout up to 20 inches on DOA Shrimp and DOA Deadly Combos. Due to the depth, longer sink times should be allowed when fishing the shrimp.

Jigs such as the Love's Lures Tandem sink slowly, too, but give the opportunity to catch trout two at a time. With larger fish, it gets to be a handful, but most "schoolie" trout have been in the 15- to 16-inch range, perfect for the table.

Stronger tides this week should produce some excellent catch-and-release fishing for snook and tarpon. Late-afternoon and evening tides will have periods of strong water flow, making good feeding opportunities for both species to pig out.

Ray Markham co-hosts "Florida Sportsman Magazine Radio Live," Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. on WWBA, 1040 AM, and can be reached for charter at (941) 723-2655.

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