St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay Area 08-07-12

Full moon tides will produce a good bite for a variety of species from redfish on the incoming tide around the mangroves and oyster mounds, to Tarpon and snook on the outgoing around the passes and bridges.

You will also find a great snook bite on the outgoing in between the mangrove cuts where bait will get funneled.

When we have this kind of water movement you can target a slam of redfish, trout and snook and add a Tarpon on the late outgoing tide for a Grand Slam.

The key for most game fish is moving water, that's not to say you can't catch fish on a slack tide but the bite is much better when the tide is moving especially when it first starts to pick up speed during the incoming or outgoing depending on the area you are fishing.

You can catch any of the species during any tide phase but if I was targeting a slam I would start with the trout and redfish on the incoming tide with live and cut scaled sardines or threadfins. Set up up tide of the area so that your cut baits scent will bring the fish to you.

Rich with a hefty trout.

Mathew and his sons first redfish.

If you have not already caught a snook yet and the incoming tide is coming to a stop now is the time to go to a snook area like a pass or mangrove cut and get ready for the start of the outgoing to catch some snook. Live scaled sardines, threadfins and pinfish are all good choices.

If you feel adventurous and want to try for the grand slam while the tide is still going out head for one of the bridges like the Howard Franklin, Gandy or the Skyway and or some of the passes like Egmont depending on what area you are fishing to get your tarpon for the Grand Slam. Remember to be courteous to your fellow fisherman because they might be chasing the same reward you are looking for.

Capt. George Hastick fishes the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area. If you would like more information or would like to book a charter please contact him at: