For many anglers concentrating on tarpon around the full moon on Friday, the morning bite was slow.

Early in the evening before the tide bottomed out, the action peaked as the current flowing out of Tampa Bay flushed out blue and calico crabs that drifted on the surface. Surface baits like the new DOA BFL (Big Fish Lure) drew hits, along with the MirrOlure Catch 2000, which suspends just below the surface.

These feeding monsters can wreck lures, but the new soft plastic bait from DOA is designed to break away from the hook arrangement and slide up the line to minimize damage to the lure.

The realistic-looking mullet imitation has been irresistible to big silver kings and shallow-water grouper. Hard plastic baits are tough and impervious to boney mouthed fish like tarpon, but hooks should be changed out for stout 4X strong hooks for durability.

We still lose a lot of lures because of line failure. Even the 80- to 100-pound fluorocarbon tippets we tie on can wear through in time, so it’s best to try to land the fish as quickly as possible. I fished the Ed Alber Tarpon Rodeo on Saturday near Egmont Key with captain Leiza Fitzgerald, Dick Brubaker and Marty Malloy from the Gilchrist Club — bronze sponsors of the event — aboard Fitzgerald’s 22-foot Ranger.

They managed to jump two tarpon while fishing dead shad on the bottom. Both fish came unbuttoned before the fish were brought in and the required photos could be taken. Proceeds from the tournament are earmarked for habitat restoration by Tampa Bay Watch.

We also released five blacktip sharks, another species in the tournament. The successful fundraising event included 26 boats and several top area anglers and guides.
Til then...catch ya later!

Capt. Ray Markham
(941) 723-2655
E-mail: flatback@tampabay.rr.com