Skyway Report, Paul Bristow 12/31/2016

Some cooler weather arrived in the Tampa Bay region as this report is being put together, but it does not appear to be sufficient to alter many of the hot bites happening at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers.  Spanish mackerel made a late week resurgence – especially for anglers employing simple – but effective – live bait tactics.  Gag grouper remained on a strong bite, and anglers have another day to attempt to harvest a fish at the piers before the fish becomes a catch-and-release species until the opener.  Grunts and porgies of various species were also good on the artificial reefs that line the piers, and these fish are almost unmatched for a family fish fry.

Huge schools of 2″ – 3″ scaled sardines swarmed the Skyway Fishing Piers this past week, displaying the incredible strength of baitfish year-classes in the Tampa Bay Estuary.  The structure of the Skyway Piers offers both shelter and warmth (from concrete radiation) for many species of baitfish, and the entire region is fortunate to have what is essentially a ‘baitfish nursery’ right at the mouth of Tampa Bay.  Of course, both Captains & anglers alike just love to see big schools of ‘free’ bait available for fishing pleasure…  After all, what else can you ask for?

Spanish mackerel asked for exactly what was being served-up by the baitfish schools.  In a classic freshwater trout stream ‘match-the-hatch’ scenario’, anglers free-lining or cork fishing small live scaled sardines connected with plenty of mackerel in the 15″ – 20″ range.  Full limits were not reported, but double-digit catches just under this number were reported plenty of times.

When baits are smaller (like this past week) anglers should scale down their terminal tackle choices to best enable their offering to work its ‘magic’.  This really means to do as little as you can…  Use smaller hooks (like Size 1) and lighter fluorocarbon leader (like 12 lb. or 15 lb.) so that the bait is not incapacitated by tackle.  Use smaller floats and consider a mainline change to light monofilament in the 10 lb. to 12 lb. range.  We all love braided lines, but there is no arguing that they place a drag on baits that shortens their life span and effectiveness.  Having one or two mackerel outfits with only a high quality 10 lb. monofilament will dramatically improve your catch over the course of a fishing season.

Gag grouper were on a very solid bite throughout the entire week, with fish being taken on both artificial and natural baits.  Diving plugs took the most fish, but lively pinfish free-lined just before dark took the largest gags.  Some 30″ plus fish were once again landed this past week.  Anglers just seeking fillets have another day before the closure, but anglers seeking an incredible challenge & fight from a shore-based structure have all year.  Just procure a pier net and release your grouper to fight another day in the Gulf of Mexico!

Grunts and porgies are on a solid bite on the artificial reefs that line each fishing pier.  Pursuit of these species is easy because multiple-hook rigs can be deployed with small strips of squid and cast toward the artificial reefs.  The sandy areas just to the side of the reefs might offer sand perch and flounder on this same terminal tackle rig.  All of these species are among the finest options for a family fish fry – not only because of their mild white flaky flesh, but also because of their willingness and eagerness to bite for kids learning to fish the saltwater.

The Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers are open 24 hours per day & 365 day per year – making them an ideal place to spend some quality family time as we near the end of the holiday travel season.  As the last fishing report of the year, your author wishes you not only good fishing each & every day, but also a happy & healthy 2017 for you & your family.