Despite some very windy weather in the Tampa Bay region this past week, plenty of fish species were still feeding at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers. Sheepshead have continued on a good bite despite the fact that it is already late March. Spanish mackerel were available for folks who found clean water and fished slower & smaller presentations. Whiting and silver trout also remained on a good bite despite the spring versus winter time frame. Some nice grunts continue to be taken along the artificial reefs, and a few lane & mangrove snapper were in the mix as well. Some ladyfish and bluefish were taken by anglers fishing the shadow lines after dark. Waters were already clearing on Friday as this report was being composed, and a very strong bite for many species seems only a short time away.
When winds and rain cause wavy and cloudy water conditions in the Tampa Bay Estuary, anglers who follow a few simple rules at the piers can dramatically increase their catch rate. When waters appear stained or cloudy, move along the pier span until you find the cleanest conditions available. Tides, wind, and current flow allow for dramatic changes at both fishing piers in only a short distance. This advice is perhaps even more sound on the South Pier because the span is so much longer than the North Pier. When using artificial lures, fish slower and choose colors that stand out more in stained water. White, chartreuse, and gold might stand out more than the ever-popular silver during these times. A slower presentation gives fish more time to see and strike the bait. Finally, consider freshly dead baits over live baits at these times for their stronger scent.
Sheepshead remained on a great bite for the time of year, and freshly dead or frozen shrimp were the top bait this past week. Fiddler crabs are almost always one of the top baits for anglers who target these fish, but perhaps the shrimp performed better by having more scent in the stained waters. Fish were harder to spot this past week, so anglers soaked baits along the pilings of the approach sections and restroom areas. Wind and waves often necessitate the use of larger weights to keep a bait in position, but always try to keep the sinker size at the minimum working point. Size #1 baitholder hooks are a great all-around option for these fish.
Despite the rough weather of the past week, Spanish mackerel still remained active and catchable around the Skyway Piers. Slower presentations with artificial lures that probe the depths far outshined almost everything else in recent days. White nylon jigs fished in tandem and larger sabiki-style or mackerel tree bait rigs were both excellent choices to fish slowly and capitalize with multiple catches whenever fish were located. Some mackerel this past week were even taken by anglers fishing shrimp free-lined or underneath a float. A few kingfish runs were still happening (even in the worst weather) so expect king action to heat up dramatically this upcoming week.
Ladyfish and bluefish were taken after dark along the approach sections of both piers, but the South Pier had more consistent action. These fish love to hunt in the shadow lines of the pier lights and do not mind rough weather. Top water or semi-surface plugs are perhaps the most fun way to fish for them, but a cut strip bait of a scaled sardine or threadfin herring suspended below a float (or free-lined) with just a small split-shot sinker is likely most productive. Ladyfish and bluefish are not only favored bait options for trophy fish hunters, but also can be great on the table when properly prepared. Ladyfish is often flaked (after being lightly frozen) and used in deep fried fish cakes. Bluefish is best bled immediately and used in soups or chowders where the firm and rich flesh stays together better than many other fishes.
- The Skyway, Paul Bristow - August 24, 2018
- The Skyway, Paul Bristow - August 17, 2018
- The Skyway, Paul Bristow - August 10, 2018
