Skyway Report, Paul Bristow 1/6/2017

Happy New Year to all those in the pier fishing community!  As Tampa Bay welcomes the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, fans from Alabama, Clemson and many places in between can find some fun saltwater bites happening at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers.  Spanish mackerel remain on an up-and-down bite that has characterized the past few months, but certain tactical changes produced more mackerel for savvy anglers.  Sheepshead numbers continue to improve in both size and number of fish taken.  Bluefish continue to roam the piers and were joined by schools of small jack crevalle at certain times.  Several species of smaller sharks appeared to follow these schools of nomadic predators – especially after sundown.

Spanish mackerel were feeding on schools of smaller (2″ – 3″) scaled sardines that composed the primary baitfish class at the piers this past week.  Anglers that either used these exact baits (or best mimicked them with artificial lure choices) found the best mackerel bites.  Smaller sardines can be free-lined, fished with a float or fished subsurface with a split-shot sinker.  Presentation for Spanish mackerel becomes most critical when this species is keyed in to smaller baitfish in clear winter waters.

When baits are small, use both the smallest & least amount of terminal tackle in your fishing approach.  This often means 12 lb. or 15 lb. fluorocarbon leader, smaller hooks and the most diminutive float or weight you can attach to accurately present a live or cut belly bait.  For artificial lure anglers, this often means casting tiny 1/8 oz. white crappie jigs on light monofilament – and even includes planning to loose some fish in the process.  The same approach for artificial lures can also be accomplished by using the lightest & smallest Gotcha Lure you can find.  These light tackle approaches netted double-digit mackerel this past week while other common pier mackerel standbys took very few fish.

Sheepshead porgy are one of the main attractions at the piers each winter season – not only because they are both fun & challenging to catch – but also because they are fantastic when prepared by almost any method of fish cookery.  Visitors that do not fish often ask what the black & white striped fish are that are cleaning the pier pilings.  It is fun to watch these fish do their work, but a watchful eye also assists the seasoned angler in catching more sheepies!  These fish feast on small crustaceans of many varieties and expel their shells in one simple puff.  Small shrimp or fiddler crabs on light tackle with small hooks give anglers the best shot.  Some say to ‘anticipate’ the bite while others wait for a slow & steady pull.  I think it often comes down to comfort level & confidence because I know of very successful anglers who use each approach.

Bluefish not only continue to entertain anglers in the hours after sundown, but they also present a multi-species fishing opportunity for visiting anglers.  Bluefish are very aggressive and can often be seen busting the surface during the daytime – or heard busting the surface at nighttime.  Throwing top water or subsurface plugs is a sure & fun way to connect, but do not let your entertainment stop at that point.  Bluefish can make excellent eating when bled upon catching and placed on ice.  They are especially great in rich chowders or soups that accent their flavor.  However, a fresh bluefish of legal size also makes incredible winter shark bait at the piers.  Sharks are opportunistic predators because they know that bluefish schools will present them feeding opportunities.  Cash in on this behavior & have fun.

The Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers are open 24 hours per day and 365 days per year.  Visitors in the Tampa Bay area for the College Football National Championship Game should consider this destination as an easy, affordable and family-friendly place to visit during their stay in the Tampa Bay region.