Stars align as Buck Moon rises early Sunday to meet an incoming tide | Fishing Roundup

Moon Mullins … Blue Moon Odom … Wally Moon … Moon Zappa … Keith Moon … Sun Myung Moon … Warren Moon … “To the moon, Alice” …

No shortage of moons out there, also no shortage of full moons. We get a new one every month.

And you don’t need to be a regular reader of the Farmer’s Almanac to know those moons have names of their own. Or maybe you do.

July’s full moon is just around the corner, assuming round things revolving around other round things can find a corner.

Its name: Buck Moon. Yep, sounds like a great name for a Nashville frontman — Buck Moon and the Craters, tonight on the main stage.

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The naming of full moons is credited to North America’s original natives, and depending on the tribe, per the Almanac, Buck Moon might also be known as Cherry Moon, Halfway Summer Moon or, from a wordy bunch, no doubt, the Moon When the Choke Cherries are Ripe.

The Buck Moon got its name due to July being the time of summer when the buck’s antlers are in full growth mode, similar to your front lawn.

We have other moons named after animals and crawlers (Wolf, Beaver and Worm) as well as edibles (Strawberry and Corn). For the fisherman, there’s the Sturgeon Moon in August, but that generally only benefits anglers in the Great Lakes.

All of that to say this: If you have a rod and reel, and don’t mind an early wakeup call, take advantage of Buck Moon.

The official appointment time for Buck Moon is Sunday morning at 6:27. How convenient, since this time of summer your best bet (by far) is to get out there at Oh-Dark-30 if you want to catch fish. The pull of the moon at full strength may get the blood flowing for you and your friends, but it really gets the water flowing, with tidal pulls exaggerated and bait fish therefore in higher gear.

In and around Ponce Inlet, you’ll have an incoming tide from roughly 3 to 9 a.m., so all things are pointing to the possibility of a mini-bonanza, if you’re (literally) up for it.

If you land a sturgeon, check his passport, then let him know he’s a month early.

Halifax/Indian River

If you go fishing Sunday morning, you might want to rig yourself a topwater lure, according to one of our longtime charter-boat operators, Capt. Billy Pettigrew (RedfishTails.com).

“The topwater bite is on fire the first few hours of the day,” he says. “You can also use paddle tails and/or live mullet. Fish around the mullet schools for snook and jacks.

"The water is extra low right now, so a lot of the fish have moved out of the backwaters and smaller creeks. Fish around the mouths of creeks where you see bait.”

Often in the summer, at no particular time, we’ll get the odd upwelling of cooler water, and after weeks of warm-bath temps, it can be a bit shocking. It happened this past week, as Capt. Jeff Patterson (Pole Dancer charter) noticed during a venture out of the inlet to the nearshore waters.

“The surface water went from 85 to 78 quickly,” he says. “We had a trip out there Tuesday and it was extremely slow.”

So it was right back to the inlet, where the best summertime fishing is found. Big snook have been going nuts for large shrimp hooked under a split-shot, Capt. Jeff says.

Deeper into the intracoastal, June’s Flavor of the Month — the mangrove snapper — is defending its title in July, and will likely do the same in August and September. It just can’t get hot enough for those tasty critters.

“They’ve just about been chewing a hole in the bottom of the boat,” Capt. Jeff says.

Mud minnows have been the best bait around docks, piers and mangrove banks, he also offers.

Surf

Jacks and sharks are likely to chase anything you throw out there, and you might lose your gear during the fight.

A few summertime pompano can be found, but you’ll have to pack some patience and likely weed through the less desirable fare.

Offshore

The one-day “season” for recreational red snapper came and went since we last gathered here, and with wonderful conditions, it was by most accounts a wonderful experience.

“It was nothing short of epic,” says Richard Pfeifer, who went out with Capt. Tim Garrett’s Waterproof Charters. “Bonded with some incredible friends on an unforgettable time at sea. Can’t imagine a better day, honestly.”

You get so many horror stories from the allotted red snapper fury each summer, it’s nice to hear from someone who actually enjoyed it.

St. Johns

Striped bass are still available for those who want a break from panfish.

As for those panfish, shellcracker are having their day in the spotlight, and that should get an extra boost by this weekend’s full moon.

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Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we're occasionally stumped).

Do I need a fishing license?

You can find all the license info, including exemptions, on Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com. But the basics are: No: If you're 65 or older, 15 or younger, you don't need a license. “Probably” Not: If you're fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat, both of which often purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers. Yes: Most everyone else, including visitors from other states. Yes: Even if you're a shore-based angler (shoreline, dock, pier, bridge, etc.), and even if fishing with a shore-based guide.  However: The shore-based license is free . . . But: You still need to register for that free license.

Where do I get a license and what does it cost?

Many bait shops sell licenses, as do the bigger retailers (Bass, Dick's, Walmart, etc.).  Florida's FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses:  GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The cost: $17 for an annual license. Don't forget: Whether you're fishing fresh or saltwater, you need the specific license. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually.

I’m here on vacation, do I need a license?

Yes you do, and they're also available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or certain bait shops and big retailers. Cost: $17 for three days, $30 for seven days, $47 for a year. Also: Non-residents need to purchase that license even if they're just fishing from shoreline or shore-based structures. (Florida residents need that license, too, but they're free.)

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Buck Moon should be a keeper; early Sunday rise meets incoming tide