Rising and falling temperatures characterized this week at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers, and visitors experienced bites that were as varied as the weather patterns. Spanish mackerel made a return to the piers just ahead of the coldest weather, and some very nice fish were caught in the shallows along the approach sections. Sheepshead continued on a good bite and were especially fond of fiddler crabs this past week. Whiting remained strong on the North Pier and some silver & spotted seatrout were also in the mix. Some very nice spottail pinfish and grunts were taken from the artificial reefs during the coldest spells of recent days. Catfish are always present in cloudy waters, and plenty of sea & gaff-topsail cats were around to keep anglers entertained. Anglers fishing bottom baits this past week also took both bonnethead and sharpnose sharks.

Spanish mackerel generally school in great numbers, but during frontal systems, some nice nomadic fish can be found. Such was the case this past week when plenty of mackerel in the 20″+ size range were taken by artificial lure anglers on the pier approach sections leading up to the dumpster areas. Although Spanish mackerel are a pelagic (migratory) species, some fish can be taken year-round in the Tampa Bay Estuary as long as water temperatures and baitfish locations remain favorable. When fish are either single, or in groups of just a few members, artificial lures shine because of the ability to seek the most aggressive fish and cover lots of water. Lures that can be fished more slowly, such as Gotcha lures and jigs, are often superior to weighted spoons at this time of year. The incredible versatility of the Gotcha lure shows through in the spring because the lure can be slowly jigged just as easily as it can be burned through the water column. Never forget larger sabiki-style bait rigs or mackerel trees at this time of year because both can be extremely productive.

Many first-time visitors to the Skyway Piers (and even those entirely new to saltwater fishing) simply want to encounter some action from a wide variety of fish species. There is generally one best overall answer… Squid, squid, squid, and more squid. Freshly cut strips of squid deployed on traditional sliding sinker bait rigs or used to tip a sabiki-style rig will produce during almost all times and conditions at the Skyway Piers. Squid is very effective for many reasons. First and foremost, almost any species lurking at the piers has eaten squid from time to time. Next, squid can be cut into a wide variety of presentation options for whatever rigging method being employed. Finally, squid is both heavily scented & durable on the hook, two characteristics that lead to more fish catching at the piers. You can take everything from grunts & porgies to rays & sharks with freshly cut squid fished on the bottom. If you are simply looking to have a fun fishing outing at the piers, there is likely no better bait option.

Reef fishing for spottail pinfish during the winter season is both enjoyable and rewarding for the dinner table. These plain silver porgies with a black spot just before their tail are aggressive in cooler water temperatures and can be taken in great numbers along the artificial reefs. Small hooks and strips of squid or bits of shrimp will cash in on these fantastic-eating fish that get larger than their common pinfish cousins. If sabiki-style baitfish rigs are used, you can often catch several spottails on a single cast. If you are making your own bait rigs, look for small baitholder-style hooks in black nickel or gold finishes in the #4 – #8 size range. Fishing the reefs on an outgoing tide is best, but plenty of fish will take refuge behind the structure on an incoming tide as well. Do not be surprised if some nice grunts gather into the mix when fishing the reefs in winter. Think of these porgies & grunts as similar to filling a nice cooler with bluegills & crappies for a family fish fry. The flesh is mild and can be used with great results in a wide variety of fish recipes.

Some visitors have inquired about the construction taking place at the rest areas that precede each fishing pier. The North & South Pier rest areas are being completely rebuilt into what will amount to some of the finest facilities in the Sunshine State. More critical to the visiting angler, however, is that both fishing piers will remain open throughout the construction process. Visitors will simply bypass the rest area portion on their way to each fishing pier with no interruption in fishing access. When complete, the mouth of the Tampa Bay Estuary will have some of the finest rest area facilities and angling access available anywhere in the United States.

Paul Bristow
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