Go to the end of the south side pier looking at the end of pier on your left side. 50 yards from end 30 yards out there is a reef. Throw live pin fish if possible.
Man you’re so right. One day, I’ll limit out Spanish or mangroves in 30 minutes, the next day it will be nothing but pin fish and a sore back from standing on concrete for 6 hours 😂
Trick I learned with dolphin, is when they get ahold of your bait, is to pinch your line and "pluck it" creating a vibration. Some old fisherman I met on a 36-hour offshore trip showed me this trick. Works probably 80% of the time. The dolphin just do not like that vibration coming down the line.
Yeah man, I know the skyway struggle. I used to live in the area so at one point I went there almost every weekend for a year or 2. Ya got the fricken dolphins, all that old fishing line and crap on the bottom, millions of pinfish cleaning you out, actually hooking a nice fish that instantly breaks you off, etc. But man, those few TH-cam videos of people catching tarpon, king mackeral, gag group, and those old fishing stories are what make us keep coming back. I guess thats just the lure of fishing, lol. I will say that it is a very unique fishing spot though, and I think every Florida fishermen should experience it at least once. 🎣🎣🎣🎣🤙👍
Gotta keep trying man. I've been fishing it for years. For grouper you need a strong/fast outgoing and flip the pinfish out there on a free line. That usually beats the dolphins out. A "greenback chip" or shrimp 1-2 feet under a cork at the edge of a bait school usually lands a Spanish mackerel. Best to go on weekdays early morning into afternoons. Evenings, , weekends and holidays are always packed. Like I said, been fishing for years and some days are on, some are off.
Have friend that wants me to drive over to the Skyway pier to fish. We live in Fort Pierce. He's been a couple times and I told him the same things you are saying about it. The biggest is the crowd. I prefer not to be crowded. And about someone getting hit, I also follow the Fish On TH-cam channel, and I swear Bush is gonna get hit one day. As soon as he hooks a grouper he runs across the street without looking. Left that comment on his channel. Keep the videos coming JC. Love em.
I moved from ST. Petersburg about 10 years ago, the south pier was my favorite. You are right, trying to drift a pinner out far enough to have a gag get it was almost impossible, I had a trick that worked very well, a floating medium diving ( 6 to 8 feet) crankbait 9 to 12 inches long. Let it drift out with the tide 150 to 200 yards then start cranking fairly fast and bouncing off the top of the rock piles, I caught many grouper every time the tides were right. Took home many legal gags and yes had to release many more that were just say an inch or so short. Never had flipper or pelicans grab my lure while drifting it out. Now the down side, really had to watch out for those friggin boats rippin across the water coming in to get bait. Nothing will tick you off like cutting across your line stripping off 200 yards 65 pound spider wire and a $20.00 lure. Many fond memories of my time out there even with the down sides.
A baby lost his life running in front of a truck recently on the pier. Very sad. Your points are all spot on. I go there mostly for the beauty and relaxation. Maybe to watch the sunset and hang out with friends. The fishing is very difficult as you say. If I catch anything that is just a bonus.
Hey there my friend. It's good to see you still watching a video here! I'm sure I'll be back there again sometime. I'd really like to say I caught a Gag Grouper on the Skyway.
@@floridalawdog Ha ha...I'm trying to get some keepers. I fished the Bridge Street Pier 3 times this week, Sheepshead all over that pier. I learned from a regular there today how to catch them. Barnacles seems to be the fast track in that spot.
Yeah I also stopped fishing where the popular bridges, piers and jetties are. It's such a pain being around morons that can't cast, have no ettiqacy, and overall uncomfortable to enjoy fishing. I've found new spots researching where no one knows or where very few people go... and I have been very successful. It's been also a blessing enjoying fishing ever since I bought a Kayak a year and a half ago. You can find hidden beaches or just drift under bridges. I would only fish the popular spots maybe during the weekdays when barely anyone is around.
JC, I was living @ 5 miles from the bridge on that day when the bridge went down...there will always be that sound, the sirens, the horns, the deadly quiet and everyone outside wondering if this was war...no joke, lots of folks thought we were at war...never went to see the pier afterward or fished there...I enjoy beach fishing too much...always fish where I enjoy the day and experience...Cheers from Maine
I love the pier. It's like charter or party boat fishing, sometimes you catch alot, and some times you dont. I've caught alot of nice keeper grouper and other fish off the pier. That is why it is call "fishing," not catching.
Lol this guy doing the video wears “huk” shirts and polarized sunglasses while he does regular errands- I’ve never seen someone who actually fishes complain as much as this guy is doing
Knocker rig knocker rig Large-size live baits (French grunts/ mullet/slob pinfish/small bonnetheads) on a knocker rig as close as you can get to the Rock piles without being in them. And then you're going to get some Big Bites and the grouper going to go right back in the holes and piss you off. 60 lb fluoro leader, a good heavy Pole and drag set heavy. Rig you up a rod holder that attaches to the bridge ( I use a piece of PVC and 2 ratchet tie downs) live bait on a circle hook so the fish hooks himself. Challenging place to fish.
Everyone loves seeing the dolphins, till they take your bait over and over again. The pelicans are a pain to. I try to hit the skyway during the week when there's less traffic. Love the vid JC, you hit the nail right on the head.
Thank you for sharing the, con side of this. I'm in TX now and I love FL. fishing. I seen bushes videos and I was checking for a trip. Your video just snapped me back into reality. Great lecture.
Have to cut the head & tail off the pinfish & hook it through the belly and launch it out as far as you can. That's what all the Cubans do, work every time. The dolphins on the other hand are a pain no matter what. I hooked up on a tarpon once at the skyway fought it for about 35mins was not expecting it only had 40lb leader it was a monster!
All great points. I love the Skyway bridge but wow, the pinfish on the bottom are absolute savages. You spend so much time just re-baiting your lines. I still love it and go every chance I get. lol. TIGHT LINES!!!
Honestly fishing the Skyway and the rest of the Tampa Bay actually, just is nowhere near as good as it once was when I was growing in the early 2000s. The combination of red tides and overfishing have really put a damper on this fishery unfortunately. It felt like I could catch snook blindfolded back in the day but I can't say the same now 🙁
Can't argue with this. Its that way most times however when ya get it right its insane. Oh and there are no keeper sized grouper. I am a god of catching 23.75 inchers.
All FACTS!! I also fish with Bush and he's a kool down to earth Guy! Sorry you guys had a rough day BUT hey that's why they call it fishing!! Lol. Good video JC!
I remember the morning that barge hit the bridge. It was pouring cats and dogs and I want to say it was about 11/12 people died from driving off the bridge. My dad took us to Ft. Desoto pier and could see the recovery vessels with binoculars.
I fish this area of Tampa Bay and the piers get alot of fishing pressure... Still alot of pier regulars out there that can make something happen! Nice review! 🤙🦀🌴
I had a few tarpon on,you could see them coming up for the schools of greenbacks. Also had a couple grouper in between the bridges. Caught a lot of mangrove to,only fished there about 7 times. Free line,tiny split shot.
Went there about 5 years ago with a friend. Lots of bait. We jigged up some greenbacks and tossed them out. I was slow. We each caught a couple mackerel in 3-4 hours. My friend had started packing up when another fisherman showed up. He did the same thing we did. Jigged up some greenbacks and started catching Mack's every cast. I had to go over and ask him how he was doing it. He was kind enough to share the greenback potato chip method with me. I made one. As soon as I threw it out I had a mack on. I hollered to my friend Ed to get his pole back out. For the next couple hours we had a blast catching dozens of Mack's. Went home with a cooler full. The potato chip works. You have to try it. I met JC at south Lido park one evening. You caught a nice jack at sunset. I took a pic for you with your camera. Didnt know about the website and didntrealise you were filming. A fishing buddy was watching the video soon afterwards and saw me in the video. We watch you all the time.
@@jasonlyles8689 Hi Jason. All you have to do is scale the belly section on a greenback. The skin underneath is incredibly shiny. Cut out the belly section in the shape of a potato chip. I just threw it on a hook and tossed it in. I might have been using a small split shot. It was so shiny I could see it flashing underwater. A mackerel nailed it within seconds. The potato chips stood out like a sore thumb among the schools of baitfish. They flash like a mirror. Good luck. I hope you nail them like we did.
One time I caught a giant 20lb Bonita off the north pier! Also a 200lb nurse shark off the south. A few keeper grouper, the mackerel are good but other than that it SUCKS. Definitely got skunked 9/10x
Good Video. Everything you said is correct. I go there primarily to get Macs. I haven't seen any videos from your jetty lately. Sometimes I cross paths with Thonny and Bush. Haven't met up with you yet. I will have to spend more time at the jetty. Tight lines.
Wow Bush and Joshua! Ive learn alot from their vids fishing the skyway. Im ok now with snappers, spanish, pompano and snooks. This is my 1st season fishing for gags havent gotten a keeper yet. But your definitely right with the dolphins. Got a tip from Joshua Taylor with regards to line. Make sure its almost the same color as the water. Dark green did it for me. Less dolphins tracking my line. =)
Thanks for sharing. Bush had dark green line and it didn't seem to be making a difference with the dolphins, good in theory, but not the case when we were fishing.
@@RadReelingFishing lol i used to have a hi vis yellow line with pinfish 100 yrds out and the darn flipper checks my line out and track it all they way to the bait to be snatched it. 9/10 same scenarios. Green and white seems to have work well for me they have a hard time tracking the line unless they see the splash in the water when you cast it. 40/60 when i switched lines.
@@RadReelingFishing i used to loved dolphins before. But when i started to learn how to fish, their like jack assess of the ocean. My friend even reel the pinfish up the pier the the darn flipper jumped to snatched it. Lol my friend almost dropped my set up on the water. Lol.
I was down at the skyway pier for a whole week. Started at 6 am , fished till noon. For the whole week, 3 fish. Will not be back. Saw a total of maybe 10 spanish caught during the week. The guys with the videos of catching a lot of fish don't tell you how many times they went to get the videos, or the time of year they went. I was there the second week of April 23. Even after the cold front moved out, the warm front did not change things at all. We are from the Birmingham area, 9 plus hours one way. Should have left my gear at home. Jackson, from Alabama
One of the few places I've not fished yet. Looking to take my son out there in the cooler months. We were just out at Fort DeSoto, and unfortunately one pier is closed. Once we got to the Gulf Pier... 3 dolphins showed up LOL. I was like c'mon!
First time we went to the skyway pier we caught 1 spanish mackerel and not much of anything else. Next time we went, we started to figure out where the fish were and on the last day there, we started wearing them out. We were pulling up fish after fish, whereas no one else was catching anything around us. Just using shrimp. Wore out those mangrove snappers and sheepshead.
I don't fish the actual pier. I hit right under the two bridges before the pier on the south end. Snook are always at the same exact spot literally every time I go. I've been liking the Gandy bridge lately myself. Been busting the snooks ass on yo zuri and mirrolure lures out there too
I grew up fishing redington long pier now that that’s closed I only fish skyway pretty much get a tarpon every night I go out there lol just gotta know how to fish it😉
Interesting video! I no longer live in Florida but I wanted to tell you about a lost gem of a book that gives a complete comprehensive analysis of the entire "Sunshine Skyway system" (circa early-1960's) that you might find interesting in regards to snook fishing of yesteryear. It is the original, 1964 printing, of "How To Fish For Snook" by Earl Downey. I fished with my dad on the Skyway bridge on the Manatee side back in the early to mid-1960's at night and it was truly roughing it. There were no bridge lights and the only light we had was our lantern. While fishing, you had to brace yourself against the concrete railing along the sidewalk when large trucks would pass by because of the "suction" that would be created. I believe at that time the Sunshine Skyway was U.S. 19. I caught my very first Snook on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Mr. Downey's book talks about all of the bridges that comprise the Sunshine Skyway system, including the Bunces Pass Bridge and also the little bridge down at Terra Ceia. I have personally fished that "little bridge". The 1964 book is a wealth of information when it comes to the historical aspects of fishing down there upwards of 60 years ago. Sorry so Lengthy! --- John
@@RadReelingFishing Thank you for your reply! The book is shown on the Internet. It was published in January 1964 so be sure to obtain that original edition. I no longer have access to my copy of the book, but it was my Snook fishing bible back in the 1960's. Much of the information in the book would now be historical and the Pinellas County/Manatee info would be virtually unknown to all but us oldtimers. I would assume that fishing on any of the Sunshine Skyway system bridges is now prohibited. Back in the 1960's, we could fish up on any of those bridges along the sidewalks. I recall knowing that there was a swift current that ran underneath the (Skyway) Bunces Pass Bridge and the Snook and Cobia would be lined up there at night at the incoming tide to capture baitfish, That was over 55 years ago. Earl Downey, in his book, tells several VERY INTERESTING fish stories of his experiences while fishing on/at the main span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (on the Manatee side). This was back when there was only one bridge span with two-way traffic on it--- before the second span was built in the mid-1960's allowing for one-way traffic on each span. One of the fish stories that Mr. Downey told was a "sentimental" true story about a snook, "Old Sam", and I have not forgotten that story to this very day! Again, Sorry so Lengthy. -- John
@@johnwoa Thanks for taking the time to add a comment of value. It sounds like the good old days. Forty years ago when I started Snook fishing I recall seeing them lined up in the shadows of some bridges inches from one another, like fifty or more in a row...
Grew up in the area and on that pier. Used to be an amazing place to fish back in the day. Limit on grouper and snapper during the right time of year was a given. I used to throw keeper grouper back in the water left and right because I couldn't eat them at the pace I caught them. That's not a lie. These days it gets hammered with too much pressure, weekends I wouldn't evening bother going, your biggest achievement will be finding a parking spot sometimes. Over the years I started catching less and less and less and eventually stoop bothering. It can be still be done but it became too often a game of persistence with too little reward. I fished at night to escape the heat. During the day dolphin can make it impossible. Day time fishing was for mackerel only for me. Its also bullcrap they didn't keep up with maintenance and let the other span become unusable. At least knock it down where it is so it can be a fishable reef right next to the pier and make the rock piles on the other side accessible again. The previous pier owners I believe used to hire divers to clear the rock piles of broken lines too it's probably a forest of broken off fishing line now making it even easier to snag and lose more equipment.
@@RadReelingFishing it would be awesome and take pressure off the gulf side rock piles. It would also be nice if they weeded out non fisherman. On weekend half the people just hang out getting stoned and blasting music. I always suggest pro go weekdays and at night you'll have much more space and be able to enjoy some solitude. The grouper and snapper are active at night, especially snapper. Snapper I'll use live or dead bait, from grouper I always used fist sized chunks of Lady fish or mackerel and dipped them in menhaden oil. Cast just short of the rock piles on an outgoing tide. If you don't catch one in 30-45min move to another pile.
1980 was the year the old bridge collapsed. I believe it was actually the second bridge too. I could be wrong about that. I fish there regularly. Love it there.
It was the southbound span of the old Sunshine Skyway which opened in 1971 after its opening was delayed by two years due to cracks found in a major channel pier (the pier that remained standing after the collision with the Summit Venture, known as Pier 1-S - it’s the main channel pier that’s different than the three major channel piers) which costed Florida taxpayers $3 million to fix.
I am pretty new to fishing n I already learned skyway is my last option went 3 times never nothing good to talk about n each time I lost equipment there a rod a rod holder separate times. I also spend more time re rigging cause I break off. It’s not my cup of tea. Want to find new spots my main 1 is pinic island just cause I live no lie 3 min away but I’m tired of there it’s hit n miss there.
I grew up in Bradenton and fished the skyway alot. If you know where the rocks are from the old bridge you can get on em. You really need a baitcaster to get out their because the rocks are way out👍👍
Man, I think this video is full of over exaggerations…The skyway fishing pier is one of the greatest places I’ve ever fished and has always been good to me.
can we sleep overnight in the small RV?I've heard Tampa bay w/ red tide for last 2 years an the fertilizer factory dumping toxic waste has ruined the bay for fishing. it's killed saw grass/ mamals/birds turtles fish all marine life.
I fished that pier for decades I'm about to go again in July for the first time in 5 or 6 years the dolphins are a pain in the ass you also can't fish for anything large on an incoming tide since they tore down the one side you have to learn how to fish it and for large fish it's the best option there is for bank dfishermen Goliath grouper and massive sharks are relatively common it's a place you have to learn and beef up your tackle but it's an awesome place to fish with chances at massive fish that most people just wouldn't have an opportunity to catch otherwise
It's amazing charters go to skyway to catch bait but are supposed to stay 150 to 200 ft from a pay to fish pier we lost some fish to idiots in boats cutting your line or idiots all lined up beside and under the bridge so you can't cast or fish in any way
I fish the Skyway at night. Many nights of nice limits of snapper and some nice trout. Some nights of very little action. They call it fishing. I'm not one to share tricks on social media. I learned how to be successful by having common sense and by paying attention. The only trick I'll share is that the night time is the right time.
I fished the Skyway back in the 1990's. There was no fee to fish the bridge. Barriers at the entrance of the bridge, blocked cars from driving in. Fishermen had to park their cars and walk to the location they wanted to fish. The fishing was GREAT because most people did not like walking. Grouper, Sheepshead, Grunts, Drum, ect...were everywhere......NO DOLPHINS
Everytime I've been to the pier, there were always a ton of bait fish hiding in the shade under the bridge (green backs I guess). This in turn, brings in the fish we want to catch which is what the dolphins want to eat.
Yeah, the pelicans are definitely an issue over there. I think you just had a streak of bad luck having only bad days there. You need to keep trying. The Skyway can be a whole lot of fun and you can take home a lot of fish.
100% TRUE..... thats why i dont fish the way everybody else fishes. I go all the way there as many as 4 times a year from chicago. i match all the baits used with artificial bait. i only use 100lb test power pro and tie directly to the lure, i have 4 inch rattle traps that i painted pearl white and they get hit just fine as fake pinfish. if i use soft plastics, they have soaked in scent for over a week. i have come to find the only way to fish down there is to think way outside the box. dolphin are incredibly hook smart and they dont bother with fake lures that have hooks banging around. as for the birds. life sucks, if people in florida knew the lengths we have to go to to get to a quality spot , they would know that even with the dolphin and birds, they are in fishing heaven.. BTW... you need to fish between the piers, flatlining out into open water is a nightmare. tight lines..
The pier is over 50 years old so I don't expect the state is going to put millions of dollars a year into a hundred thousand dollar a year enterprise to keep it safe for auto traffic. Enjoy it while it lasts. Like you said it was caused by an accident when the Summit Venture ship struck the main support and they aren't building any new ones.
The dolphins are ridiculous there JC! Between them, the pelicans and the boards of people I hardly fish there anymore. The 45 min drive and $14 for my girlfriend don’t help either.
I think maybe you might want to just give up fishing. i gave up with all the complaints after the first ad. Your complaints are all just part of fishing, up by me, its the damned bluegill, they just destroy your days supply of bait. and of course, ya gotta find the fish, and yes there are predatory animals that are in the way while they themselves hunt. oWhen im on the pier, since its only twice a year because im from chicago, i fish for anything that bits and i catch fish all damned day. large, small,. its the fisherman that insist on that one type and size of fish that think it stinks. fish for fun, fish for whats biting, have fun.
Well put together JC nobody ever post the ugly side of skyway fishing pier. Appreciate the shout out my friend we will catch them next time.
You forgot to mention you can stay 24 hours
Go to the end of the south side pier looking at the end of pier on your left side. 50 yards from end 30 yards out there is a reef. Throw live pin fish if possible.
I be out there this evening.
Man you’re so right. One day, I’ll limit out Spanish or mangroves in 30 minutes, the next day it will be nothing but pin fish and a sore back from standing on concrete for 6 hours 😂
Trick I learned with dolphin, is when they get ahold of your bait, is to pinch your line and "pluck it" creating a vibration. Some old fisherman I met on a 36-hour offshore trip showed me this trick. Works probably 80% of the time. The dolphin just do not like that vibration coming down the line.
Yeah man, I know the skyway struggle. I used to live in the area so at one point I went there almost every weekend for a year or 2. Ya got the fricken dolphins, all that old fishing line and crap on the bottom, millions of pinfish cleaning you out, actually hooking a nice fish that instantly breaks you off, etc. But man, those few TH-cam videos of people catching tarpon, king mackeral, gag group, and those old fishing stories are what make us keep coming back. I guess thats just the lure of fishing, lol. I will say that it is a very unique fishing spot though, and I think every Florida fishermen should experience it at least once. 🎣🎣🎣🎣🤙👍
Gotta keep trying man. I've been fishing it for years. For grouper you need a strong/fast outgoing and flip the pinfish out there on a free line. That usually beats the dolphins out.
A "greenback chip" or shrimp 1-2 feet under a cork at the edge of a bait school usually lands a Spanish mackerel.
Best to go on weekdays early morning into afternoons. Evenings, , weekends and holidays are always packed.
Like I said, been fishing for years and some days are on, some are off.
The shit should not get overlooked, this guy just dropped the most solid tip on here.
Have friend that wants me to drive over to the Skyway pier to fish. We live in Fort Pierce. He's been a couple times and I told him the same things you are saying about it. The biggest is the crowd. I prefer not to be crowded. And about someone getting hit, I also follow the Fish On TH-cam channel, and I swear Bush is gonna get hit one day. As soon as he hooks a grouper he runs across the street without looking. Left that comment on his channel. Keep the videos coming JC. Love em.
I moved from ST. Petersburg about 10 years ago, the south pier was my favorite. You are right, trying to drift a pinner out far enough to have a gag get it was almost impossible, I had a trick that worked very well, a floating medium diving ( 6 to 8 feet) crankbait 9 to 12 inches long. Let it drift out with the tide 150 to 200 yards then start cranking fairly fast and bouncing off the top of the rock piles, I caught many grouper every time the tides were right. Took home many legal gags and yes had to release many more that were just say an inch or so short. Never had flipper or pelicans grab my lure while drifting it out. Now the down side, really had to watch out for those friggin boats rippin across the water coming in to get bait. Nothing will tick you off like cutting across your line stripping off 200 yards 65 pound spider wire and a $20.00 lure. Many fond memories of my time out there even with the down sides.
A baby lost his life running in front of a truck recently on the pier. Very sad. Your points are all spot on. I go there mostly for the beauty and relaxation. Maybe to watch the sunset and hang out with friends. The fishing is very difficult as you say. If I catch anything that is just a bonus.
Hey there my friend. It's good to see you still watching a video here! I'm sure I'll be back there again sometime. I'd really like to say I caught a Gag Grouper on the Skyway.
@@RadReelingFishing Heck yeah. I never miss a video. Almost time for the keeper sheeper videos.
@@floridalawdog Ha ha...I'm trying to get some keepers. I fished the Bridge Street Pier 3 times this week, Sheepshead all over that pier. I learned from a regular there today how to catch them. Barnacles seems to be the fast track in that spot.
Very cool content and information! Great to give the history and detail about the Skyway Pier. This content was fantastic!!
Thanks JC on the heads-up of the bad side of the skyway I was actually going to go fishing this week there great video is always tightline my friend
JC, you forgot to include my channel so they can watch all of my great Skyway videos lol 😂😂😂
Lol yeah bro at least you got the skyway piers figured out. Takes time, trial and error!
I did give you a mention in there bro! You're gonna have to take me up there and show me how it's done.
@@hookedonthebay3890 years and years of time put in on that pier.
@@RadReelingFishing we can get out there for sure.
@@Saltyscales till Flipper shows up...lol!
Yeah I also stopped fishing where the popular bridges, piers and jetties are. It's such a pain being around morons that can't cast, have no ettiqacy, and overall uncomfortable to enjoy fishing. I've found new spots researching where no one knows or where very few people go... and I have been very successful. It's been also a blessing enjoying fishing ever since I bought a Kayak a year and a half ago. You can find hidden beaches or just drift under bridges. I would only fish the popular spots maybe during the weekdays when barely anyone is around.
I’m visiting the area this april. Any suggestions to get away from the crowd. Wouldn’t mind going north
I live just south of the pier, if you want to go I can put you on some fish no problem JC 🙌😉
JC, I was living @ 5 miles from the bridge on that day when the bridge went down...there will always be that sound, the sirens, the horns, the deadly
quiet and everyone outside wondering if this was war...no joke, lots of folks thought we were at war...never went to see the pier afterward or fished there...I enjoy beach fishing too much...always fish where I enjoy the day and experience...Cheers from Maine
I love the pier. It's like charter or party boat fishing, sometimes you catch alot, and some times you dont. I've caught alot of nice keeper grouper and other fish off the pier. That is why it is call "fishing," not catching.
Lol this guy doing the video wears “huk” shirts and polarized sunglasses while he does regular errands- I’ve never seen someone who actually fishes complain as much as this guy is doing
Knocker rig knocker rig
Large-size live baits (French grunts/ mullet/slob pinfish/small bonnetheads) on a knocker rig as close as you can get to the Rock piles without being in them. And then you're going to get some Big Bites and the grouper going to go right back in the holes and piss you off. 60 lb fluoro leader, a good heavy Pole and drag set heavy. Rig you up a rod holder that attaches to the bridge ( I use a piece of PVC and 2 ratchet tie downs) live bait on a circle hook so the fish hooks himself. Challenging place to fish.
Thanks for the honest opinion . Good to see you guys trying to do a collaboration, I've always thought about that
This is my favorite fishing channel. JC is cool and humble dude. He always has a good attitude catching fish or not
Everyone loves seeing the dolphins, till they take your bait over and over again. The pelicans are a pain to. I try to hit the skyway during the week when there's less traffic.
Love the vid JC, you hit the nail right on the head.
Thank you for sharing the, con side of this. I'm in TX now and I love FL. fishing. I seen bushes videos and I was checking for a trip. Your video just snapped me back into reality. Great lecture.
JC, realy enjoyed this video! I totally feel you on these points! You'll get 'em next time!
Have to cut the head & tail off the pinfish & hook it through the belly and launch it out as far as you can. That's what all the Cubans do, work every time. The dolphins on the other hand are a pain no matter what. I hooked up on a tarpon once at the skyway fought it for about 35mins was not expecting it only had 40lb leader it was a monster!
All great points. I love the Skyway bridge but wow, the pinfish on the bottom are absolute savages. You spend so much time just re-baiting your lines. I still love it and go every chance I get. lol. TIGHT LINES!!!
Nice job, and you are so on point, but I love fishing in my hometown plus the beautiful views 😊
Completely agree with you. Good honest comments. Thanks
Honestly fishing the Skyway and the rest of the Tampa Bay actually, just is nowhere near as good as it once was when I was growing in the early 2000s. The combination of red tides and overfishing have really put a damper on this fishery unfortunately. It felt like I could catch snook blindfolded back in the day but I can't say the same now 🙁
If you think none of Tampa bay is good then you just suck at fishing. Plenty of people still catch loads of snook tarpon and reds in Tampa bay.
Interesting video JC - stay safe & well. 👍👍
I’ve been to the skyway 3 times it’s about an hour drive from me never going back for the reasons you mentioned
Can't argue with this. Its that way most times however when ya get it right its insane. Oh and there are no keeper sized grouper. I am a god of catching 23.75 inchers.
All FACTS!! I also fish with Bush and he's a kool down to earth Guy! Sorry you guys had a rough day BUT hey that's why they call it fishing!! Lol. Good video JC!
I remember the morning that barge hit the bridge. It was pouring cats and dogs and I want to say it was about 11/12 people died from driving off the bridge. My dad took us to Ft. Desoto pier and could see the recovery vessels with binoculars.
I think like 25 or so died. Most was from a bus load of people. Or so that is what I remember reading about it in the past.
I fish this area of Tampa Bay and the piers get alot of fishing pressure... Still alot of pier regulars out there that can make something happen! Nice review! 🤙🦀🌴
I had a few tarpon on,you could see them coming up for the schools of greenbacks. Also had a couple grouper in between the bridges. Caught a lot of mangrove to,only fished there about 7 times. Free line,tiny split shot.
Went there about 5 years ago with a friend. Lots of bait. We jigged up some greenbacks and tossed them out. I was slow. We each caught a couple mackerel in 3-4 hours. My friend had started packing up when another fisherman showed up. He did the same thing we did. Jigged up some greenbacks and started catching Mack's every cast. I had to go over and ask him how he was doing it. He was kind enough to share the greenback potato chip method with me. I made one. As soon as I threw it out I had a mack on. I hollered to my friend Ed to get his pole back out. For the next couple hours we had a blast catching dozens of Mack's. Went home with a cooler full. The potato chip works. You have to try it. I met JC at south Lido park one evening. You caught a nice jack at sunset. I took a pic for you with your camera. Didnt know about the website and didntrealise you were filming. A fishing buddy was watching the video soon afterwards and saw me in the video. We watch you all the time.
Thanks for commenting. I remember that day at Lido. That's the only big jack I've ever caught there. Thanks for being a longtime subscriber.
What is the potato chip method? I've tried googling it, and haven't come up with anything.
@@jasonlyles8689 Hi Jason. All you have to do is scale the belly section on a greenback. The skin underneath is incredibly shiny. Cut out the belly section in the shape of a potato chip. I just threw it on a hook and tossed it in. I might have been using a small split shot. It was so shiny I could see it flashing underwater. A mackerel nailed it within seconds. The potato chips stood out like a sore thumb among the schools of baitfish. They flash like a mirror. Good luck. I hope you nail them like we did.
@@fredphillips8336 What do you mean when you say cut the belly out? Do u basically mean to cut the head and tail off?
Cons are RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT. I've fished Skyway for years and you are right!!!
Best fishing videos
haha, I still laugh at this vid JC. Your frustration cracks me up
good info. I hate pier fishing for so many reasons.
Im coming down end of this month. See how I do bro. Im from North Carolina and I do a lot of fishing. thanks for the update
Nice video man I've had great days and bad days at the skyway. 😂
One time I caught a giant 20lb Bonita off the north pier! Also a 200lb nurse shark off the south. A few keeper grouper, the mackerel are good but other than that it SUCKS. Definitely got skunked 9/10x
Why won’t you just target another fish and use a swimbaif
Everytime I went there, I never catch anything either. What time of day or night do you think is a good time to go?
Good Video. Everything you said is correct. I go there primarily to get Macs. I haven't seen any videos from your jetty lately. Sometimes I cross paths with Thonny and Bush. Haven't met up with you yet. I will have to spend more time at the jetty. Tight lines.
Yeah, at Jetties area got hit hard with red tide for a long time. i've been fishing more north.
Wow Bush and Joshua! Ive learn alot from their vids fishing the skyway. Im ok now with snappers, spanish, pompano and snooks. This is my 1st season fishing for gags havent gotten a keeper yet. But your definitely right with the dolphins. Got a tip from Joshua Taylor with regards to line. Make sure its almost the same color as the water. Dark green did it for me. Less dolphins tracking my line. =)
Thanks for sharing. Bush had dark green line and it didn't seem to be making a difference with the dolphins, good in theory, but not the case when we were fishing.
@@RadReelingFishing lol i used to have a hi vis yellow line with pinfish 100 yrds out and the darn flipper checks my line out and track it all they way to the bait to be snatched it. 9/10 same scenarios. Green and white seems to have work well for me they have a hard time tracking the line unless they see the splash in the water when you cast it. 40/60 when i switched lines.
@@RadReelingFishing i used to loved dolphins before. But when i started to learn how to fish, their like jack assess of the ocean. My friend even reel the pinfish up the pier the the darn flipper jumped to snatched it. Lol my friend almost dropped my set up on the water. Lol.
I was down at the skyway pier for a whole week. Started at 6 am , fished till noon. For the whole week, 3 fish. Will not be back. Saw a total of maybe 10 spanish caught during the week. The guys with the videos of catching a lot of fish don't tell you how many times they went to get the videos, or the time of year they went. I was there the second week of April 23. Even after the cold front moved out, the warm front did not change things at all. We are from the Birmingham area, 9 plus hours one way. Should have left my gear at home. Jackson, from Alabama
One of the few places I've not fished yet. Looking to take my son out there in the cooler months. We were just out at Fort DeSoto, and unfortunately one pier is closed. Once we got to the Gulf Pier... 3 dolphins showed up LOL. I was like c'mon!
Glad to know not to go on weekends.i can deal with the rest of it.thanks.
First time we went to the skyway pier we caught 1 spanish mackerel and not much of anything else. Next time we went, we started to figure out where the fish were and on the last day there, we started wearing them out. We were pulling up fish after fish, whereas no one else was catching anything around us. Just using shrimp. Wore out those mangrove snappers and sheepshead.
I don't fish the actual pier. I hit right under the two bridges before the pier on the south end. Snook are always at the same exact spot literally every time I go. I've been liking the Gandy bridge lately myself. Been busting the snooks ass on yo zuri and mirrolure lures out there too
I grew up fishing redington long pier now that that’s closed I only fish skyway pretty much get a tarpon every night I go out there lol just gotta know how to fish it😉
hello good information about the sky way fishing pier
Do they have a annual fee
I don't know, maybe Google does?
Interesting video! I no longer live in Florida but I wanted to tell you about a lost gem of a book that gives a complete comprehensive analysis of the entire "Sunshine Skyway system" (circa early-1960's) that you might find interesting in regards to snook fishing of yesteryear. It is the original, 1964 printing, of "How To Fish For Snook" by Earl Downey. I fished with my dad on the Skyway bridge on the Manatee side back in the early to mid-1960's at night and it was truly roughing it. There were no bridge lights and the only light we had was our lantern. While fishing, you had to brace yourself against the concrete railing along the sidewalk when large trucks would pass by because of the "suction" that would be created. I believe at that time the Sunshine Skyway was U.S. 19. I caught my very first Snook on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Mr. Downey's book talks about all of the bridges that comprise the Sunshine Skyway system, including the Bunces Pass Bridge and also the little bridge down at Terra Ceia. I have personally fished that "little bridge". The 1964 book is a wealth of information when it comes to the historical aspects of fishing down there upwards of 60 years ago. Sorry so Lengthy! --- John
Thanks for watching, and for taking the time to share your experience. I'll see if the sell the book on Amazon.
@@RadReelingFishing Thank you for your reply! The book is shown on the Internet. It was published in January 1964 so be sure to obtain that original edition. I no longer have access to my copy of the book, but it was my Snook fishing bible back in the 1960's. Much of the information in the book would now be historical and the Pinellas County/Manatee info would be virtually unknown to all but us oldtimers. I would assume that fishing on any of the Sunshine Skyway system bridges is now prohibited. Back in the 1960's, we could fish up on any of those bridges along the sidewalks. I recall knowing that there was a swift current that ran underneath the (Skyway) Bunces Pass Bridge and the Snook and Cobia would be lined up there at night at the incoming tide to capture baitfish, That was over 55 years ago. Earl Downey, in his book, tells several VERY INTERESTING fish stories of his experiences while fishing on/at the main span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (on the Manatee side). This was back when there was only one bridge span with two-way traffic on it--- before the second span was built in the mid-1960's allowing for one-way traffic on each span. One of the fish stories that Mr. Downey told was a "sentimental" true story about a snook, "Old Sam", and I have not forgotten that story to this very day! Again, Sorry so Lengthy. -- John
@@johnwoa Thanks for taking the time to add a comment of value. It sounds like the good old days. Forty years ago when I started Snook fishing I recall seeing them lined up in the shadows of some bridges inches from one another, like fifty or more in a row...
Hi jc is that a custom rod you are using for the video thanks
If it's a yellow rod, yes it is.
I've done pretty good there. Just takes a while to figure out where to fish.
Grew up in the area and on that pier. Used to be an amazing place to fish back in the day. Limit on grouper and snapper during the right time of year was a given. I used to throw keeper grouper back in the water left and right because I couldn't eat them at the pace I caught them. That's not a lie. These days it gets hammered with too much pressure, weekends I wouldn't evening bother going, your biggest achievement will be finding a parking spot sometimes. Over the years I started catching less and less and less and eventually stoop bothering. It can be still be done but it became too often a game of persistence with too little reward. I fished at night to escape the heat. During the day dolphin can make it impossible. Day time fishing was for mackerel only for me. Its also bullcrap they didn't keep up with maintenance and let the other span become unusable. At least knock it down where it is so it can be a fishable reef right next to the pier and make the rock piles on the other side accessible again. The previous pier owners I believe used to hire divers to clear the rock piles of broken lines too it's probably a forest of broken off fishing line now making it even easier to snag and lose more equipment.
Wouldn't that be an incredible pile of rocks to fish if they wrecked that other span right next to the pier.
@@RadReelingFishing it would be awesome and take pressure off the gulf side rock piles. It would also be nice if they weeded out non fisherman. On weekend half the people just hang out getting stoned and blasting music. I always suggest pro go weekdays and at night you'll have much more space and be able to enjoy some solitude. The grouper and snapper are active at night, especially snapper. Snapper I'll use live or dead bait, from grouper I always used fist sized chunks of Lady fish or mackerel and dipped them in menhaden oil. Cast just short of the rock piles on an outgoing tide. If you don't catch one in 30-45min move to another pile.
Takes years of practice and experience to effectively target certain species there when you want depending on time of year.
1980 was the year the old bridge collapsed. I believe it was actually the second bridge too. I could be wrong about that. I fish there regularly. Love it there.
It was the southbound span of the old Sunshine Skyway which opened in 1971 after its opening was delayed by two years due to cracks found in a major channel pier (the pier that remained standing after the collision with the Summit Venture, known as Pier 1-S - it’s the main channel pier that’s different than the three major channel piers) which costed Florida taxpayers $3 million to fix.
The skyway is awesome of course!
I like fishing piers when I'm the only one there lol
I am pretty new to fishing n I already learned skyway is my last option went 3 times never nothing good to talk about n each time I lost equipment there a rod a rod holder separate times. I also spend more time re rigging cause I break off. It’s not my cup of tea. Want to find new spots my main 1 is pinic island just cause I live no lie 3 min away but I’m tired of there it’s hit n miss there.
dolphin are out by the skyway piling as well...
I grew up in Bradenton and fished the skyway alot. If you know where the rocks are from the old bridge you can get on em. You really need a baitcaster to get out their because the rocks are way out👍👍
Thanks for watching and sharing your tip.
@@RadReelingFishing Right on man love your videos keep em coming🤟❤️🐟
Are there any opportunities to catch sharks here?
Always a chance in Fl., plenty of them around.
I was grouper fishing under the pier and thought I had a big one but nope I hauled a pelican out from underneath the pier.
I was out there Saturday and saw jc and bush fishing. Thought to myself fishing was going to be good if they are both here. Haha I got skunked
Man, I think this video is full of over exaggerations…The skyway fishing pier is one of the greatest places I’ve ever fished and has always been good to me.
Thanks for watching.
What about taking a boat out and fish straight down
Great idea for sure.
it looks like you’re describen the history of my life fishing in miami area 😂
can we sleep overnight in the small RV?I've heard Tampa bay w/ red tide for last 2 years an the fertilizer factory dumping toxic waste has ruined the bay for fishing. it's killed saw grass/ mamals/birds turtles fish all marine life.
It's had a terrible impact on SW Florida.
I lived on Terra ceia 40years and breaks my heart to see the bay
I fished that pier for decades I'm about to go again in July for the first time in 5 or 6 years the dolphins are a pain in the ass you also can't fish for anything large on an incoming tide since they tore down the one side you have to learn how to fish it and for large fish it's the best option there is for bank dfishermen Goliath grouper and massive sharks are relatively common it's a place you have to learn and beef up your tackle but it's an awesome place to fish with chances at massive fish that most people just wouldn't have an opportunity to catch otherwise
It’s either the fishing is good, or it’s completely crap.
When there’s fish running they are all running.
I have good luck when I go there you need to go the south side
It's amazing Tampa Bay has anything left
It's amazing charters go to skyway to catch bait but are supposed to stay 150 to 200 ft from a pay to fish pier we lost some fish to idiots in boats cutting your line or idiots all lined up beside and under the bridge so you can't cast or fish in any way
I fish the Skyway at night. Many nights of nice limits of snapper and some nice trout. Some nights of very little action. They call it fishing. I'm not one to share tricks on social media. I learned how to be successful by having common sense and by paying attention. The only trick I'll share is that the night time is the right time.
I made this night fishing video there, ha ha th-cam.com/video/c5n9dtNz9z8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=l6i07YtmpjaG0t9Q
I fished the Skyway back in the 1990's. There was no fee to fish the bridge. Barriers at the entrance of the bridge, blocked cars from driving in. Fishermen had to park their cars and walk to the location they wanted to fish.
The fishing was GREAT because most people did not like walking. Grouper, Sheepshead, Grunts, Drum, ect...were everywhere......NO DOLPHINS
Everytime I've been to the pier, there were always a ton of bait fish hiding in the shade under the bridge (green backs I guess). This in turn, brings in the fish we want to catch which is what the dolphins want to eat.
No video of fishing the pier 🤔
Yeah, the pelicans are definitely an issue over there. I think you just had a streak of bad luck having only bad days there. You need to keep trying. The Skyway can be a whole lot of fun and you can take home a lot of fish.
What is the name of those snakehead looking fish with the teeth we catch them every time that’s all we have ever caught and pin fish.
Lizardfish
Sounds like it’s frustrating out there. Seems like there are better spots.
If you go up there and it's been enough money eventually you will catch a keeper grouper maybe one or two a year it's been go there every weekend
100% TRUE..... thats why i dont fish the way everybody else fishes. I go all the way there as many as 4 times a year from chicago. i match all the baits used with artificial bait. i only use 100lb test power pro and tie directly to the lure, i have 4 inch rattle traps that i painted pearl white and they get hit just fine as fake pinfish. if i use soft plastics, they have soaked in scent for over a week. i have come to find the only way to fish down there is to think way outside the box. dolphin are incredibly hook smart and they dont bother with fake lures that have hooks banging around. as for the birds. life sucks, if people in florida knew the lengths we have to go to to get to a quality spot , they would know that even with the dolphin and birds, they are in fishing heaven.. BTW... you need to fish between the piers, flatlining out into open water is a nightmare. tight lines..
The pier is over 50 years old so I don't expect the state is going to put millions of dollars a year into a hundred thousand dollar a year enterprise to keep it safe for auto traffic. Enjoy it while it lasts. Like you said it was caused by an accident when the Summit Venture ship struck the main support and they aren't building any new ones.
I have a dolphin pinger I can sell you. 😂😂😂😂
Ha ha...you should have offered before your video!
Dolphins have made fishing Port Canaveral horrible. Juno pier best east coast spot. And free parking!
Sabiki rig then drift the pins out and repeat. Ya a dolphin screws it ip often but better than nada with no boat
The dolphins are ridiculous there JC! Between them, the pelicans and the boards of people I hardly fish there anymore. The 45 min drive and $14 for my girlfriend don’t help either.
Your admission is good on both the South and North pier. For 24 hours.
I haven't caught anything there in years.
Don't forget that 10 bucks also gives you a day pass fishing license
right, and endless bait if you have a net or sabiki
Good place to go take a nap
Been there several times. And have had great bait. And have gotten 0 results.
It's not bad if you know the right spots, pulled grouper, king fish and Spanish macks in a single day.
It's not the spot it used to be when I was growing up. It has to be one of the hardest ways to fish. It's not an easy pier experience.
It was in 1980. I believe February
JC.... I call it walking the plank.
That's so funny, I literally laughed out loud!
I think maybe you might want to just give up fishing. i gave up with all the complaints after the first ad. Your complaints are all just part of fishing, up by me, its the damned bluegill, they just destroy your days supply of bait. and of course, ya gotta find the fish, and yes there are predatory animals that are in the way while they themselves hunt. oWhen im on the pier, since its only twice a year because im from chicago, i fish for anything that bits and i catch fish all damned day. large, small,. its the fisherman that insist on that one type and size of fish that think it stinks. fish for fun, fish for whats biting, have fun.
JC you don't live in the area you just have a bad day.