As we close out 2017 in the Tampa Bay Region, the resounding message at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers is that Mack is Back!  Spanish mackerel returned to a bite that produced some full limits for seasoned anglers and plenty of fish even for visitors with no saltwater fishing experience.  As has been discussed in this report for a few weeks now, the baitfish schools never left the piers during passing cold fronts, so mackerel simply adjusted with the bait.  Gag grouper are only open a few more days in our region, but the bite has continued to remain strong, and anglers who fish up until the closure have a great shot to bag a keeper.  Some mangrove snapper have continued to call the Skyway Piers home this winter, and anglers willing to sort through some shorts are still able to put a few tasty mangos in the cooler.  Pompano and permit continued as a fishable option along the approach sections.

 
Despite some cooler weather, anglers have still been able to take good numbers of Spanish mackerel early and late in the day.  The morning bite on an outgoing tide has been best, but many tidal cycles have produced fish this past week.    Full limits have been taken by anglers fishing slower presentations that put baits closer to the bottom.  Passing frontal systems pushed scaled sardines & threadfin herring to hold in deeper water, and the mackerel simply followed the bait.  Gotcha lures and white nylon jigs (single or in tandem) were the top choices this past week.  Both of these presentations are easier to work slower & deeper in a jigging motion than the old Skyway standby silver spoon fished behind a trolling sinker.  Warmer weather could easily increase mackerel aggression and that would make faster presentations in the mid and upper water columns – like the spoons – more effective in coming days.
 
The week also highlighted two other presentations excellent for winter mackerel at the piers that are somewhat underutilized.  Larger sabiki-style baitfish rigs (size #4 – 1/0) with flashy dropper loops are deadly for deep-holding mackerel because they can simply be dropped and lifted along the bottom with the tide essentially doing all of the work.  Some folks refer to these as mackerel trees or even as fish skins.  The larger hooks act as bite-off protection while each dropper tempts fish in the current flow.  Another good winter option is cut bait like strips of scaled sardines, threadfin herring or even squid.  The concept is nearly the same as the larger bait rigs – let the strip simply flutter in the current flow – but their is an added scent attraction when using natural baits.  A long shank hook and monofilament leader are all that is needed for the natural baits, plus a few split-shot sinkers to get the bait deeper in the water column.  Whatever the bait choice, cut it as a long strip and only hook it at one end so the tide makes it wiggle back and forth.  It might look silly to anglers, but it is deadly effective in the winter months.
 
Only a few days are left to harvest gag grouper in the Tampa Bay region, but grouper diggers at the piers will fish until the last minute.  Indeed, gag grouper fishing at the piers is so challenging & addictive that many anglers simply enjoy the catch-and-release fishery during the closed season.  Plugs & pins still remain the ticket – that is diving plugs and pinfish.  The plugs are sent out with the tide past the reefs and pulled back towards the pier in an attempt to take the most aggressive gags, while the free-lined live pinfish are hard for fish that are less-aggressive to turn down.  A pier drop net is best for gags because fish must meet minimum size limits before they can be harvested.  The drop nets allow for the harmless landing and/or release of grouper, and the pier bait shops carry several nice models.
 
A few nice pompano & permit continue to be caught along the approach sections of both piers.  There are not big numbers of these tasty and hard-fighting members of the Jack Family of Fishes, but a few quality fish continue to be landed from day to day.  Incoming or outgoing tides were both good, but the strongest portions of either tide have not been as productive.  The slowest portion of the tides produced a few fish for anglers scaling down to lighter jigs.  Banana-style swim jigs ranging from 1/4 oz. to 3/4 oz. were the best jigging lures this past week.  Teaser flies were used quite often – some in a loop knot at the jig and others on dropper lines.  Pink, chartreuse, yellow and white were the most common colors of jigs and teasers.  Very light jigs (as low as 1/8 oz.) took some fish at the tide changes when the heavier jigs were less productive.
 
The Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers and their associated bait shops are open 24 hours a day and 365 days per year.  Holidays like New Years Day are a great time for families to visit the piers, let the kids try saltwater fishing, and spend some quality time in the great outdoors.  Families can park right where they plan to fish and spend an enjoyable outing looking at the Gulf of Mexico.  The Sunshine Skyway Fishing piers are located along I-275 on both sides of the mouth of Tampa Bay.  There are bait shops, restroom facilities, picnic sites, and special access areas for folks with disabilities.  A fishing license is not required for anglers visiting the Skyway Piers.
Paul Bristow
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