Grab Your Gear: Full Moon Snooking Time

Capt. Lynn Amburn of FishTank Charters said anglers can take advantage of some full moon snook action next week.

The nocturnal-feeding snook feed heavily at night, and they are especially aggressive during a full moon.

A full moon's gravitational pull speed up tides, which in turn gets more bait moving. Snook are ambush feeders, preferring to line up into a tide and wait for bait to be carried to them. This is why it's important for anglers to cast a a bait or artificial up tide - far enough so that snook are not spooked by the bait's landing - and let the tide naturally carry the bait to the snook.

Live shrimp should be hooked behind its barb. The hook size should match the size of the shrimp so the bait can appear natural, and not overwhelmed by an oversized hook. Also to ensure the bait – shrimp or sardine – is in a natural, position, leave some slack in the line before the snook pops the bait.

Capt. Amburn suggests fishing the bridges when the tide is at its peak speed, particularly in the Wheedon Island area. Anglers also might find redfish against the mangrove at high tide and snook and trout on the flats.

Amburn also suggests fishing the Fourth Street Bridge area.  “It's got some deep water so you can get in there when the tides are lower,” he said. “Fish aren't having to move a whole lot.”

Capt. Amburn, an inshore fishing guide, can be reached at 813-695-7078.