We have a fishing secret and we are willing to share it. Why? Because we get a ton of requests on how to catch bait for tarpon, snook, redfish or any in-shore game fish and the truth is, what will bring in the bait? It’s all about the fish chum.

So we called Captain Scott Moore, a man who is famous for fishing—and catching—in the Tampa Bay waters… and even more famous for his ability to successfully bring in the bait that catches those alluring fish. Moore was so open and awesome about sharing some of his trade secrets with us. He has a lot of knowledge and is always willing to share. We love that, and we love him, too.

TL;DR Summary for Best Fish Chum Recipe

• This simple chum blend—jack mackerel, fish food, anise oil, and seawater paste—attracts bait fish like pilchards for game fishing.
• Captain Scott Moore’s method works in Tampa Bay to draw in tarpon, snook and redfish by chumming up-current near diving birds.
• Using a cast net over the slick, bait is easy to collect and should be kept alive in a livewell, not a regular bucket.
• The recipe’s proven effectiveness comes from Moore’s decades of experience fishing the local waters.

Want To Catch More Tarpon, Snook or Redfish?

The magic of fishing is in the bait, and catching the bait is all about the chum. The bait we are talking about are pilchards—also known as saltwater sardines. These fish are small and usually swim in large schools near the surface of the water. When looking for pilchards, check out the passes and look for birds and pelicans diving into the water. This is a huge hint.

Sometimes you get lucky and you can idle to the bait but if not, get up tide and start chumming. You’ll see the fish come closer to the top to feed and when the time is right, cast on the bait!

Pilchards will not survive a traditional bait bucket for long. So be prepared to put your catch in a working livewell so they survive.

Moore’s recipe for chum is super simple and it works. He’s has been fishing these waters for 50 years, so he knows all the secrets. He swears by this recipe!

Here is what you need.

• 2 cans of jack mackerel
• 1 cup of Purina Fish Food Starter (and possibly a tad more)
• 1 drop anise oil (this gets the fishes’ attention)
• A little salt water to moisten the mixture to form a paste like consistency.
• Cast net

Once everything is mixed together, ready your cast net and toss your chum (up tide, of course). Happy fishing!

Many thanks to our friend and Cannons Marina customer Captain Scott Moore.  Check out his fishing charter website at Moore Fishing