Hi Frank,
Just started to read your articles. I’m a resident of St. Pete. I enjoy going out fishing, and I’ve tried everywhere from Gandy Bridge to the Skyway. I don’t have very good luck anywhere I fish. I’ve asked a lot of folks in local bait and tackle shops for advice on good fishing spots, and the proper rigs and bait to use. I’m OK with artificials. I enjoy fishing and the peace and quiet while I’m out. I don’t have a boat. Any suggestion you have on tackle, places, or bait would greatly be appreciated. Thanks for your time and help. Tom in St. Pete

Tom,
If you don’t mind wade fishing, get a bucket of shrimp and wade the water on the west side of the Tierra Verde Causeway, just on the inland side of the bridge. Fish the shrimp on a size 1 short shank hook, and use two feet of 20 pound test clear mono as leader. Use no weight. If you need weight to cast, add a popping cork about 3 feet above the hook. Throw this ahead of you as you move along that edge in water up to thigh deep. Keep moving and casting ahead of you, and you will eventually hit the trout. Same tactic can work on the west side of the Skyway causeway.

From the bridges, go early in the morning on these warm, calm mornings and throw a 2 inch to 3 inch chrome spoon. Work it fast, especially when you see terns diving. If you go the right day, you’ll hit the Spanish mackerel.

And last, you might try getting a Sabiki rig at a tackle store - a bunch of small flies on a single line. Weight this with a 2 ounce weight at the end, and drop it down right beside the pilings at the Skyway, as close to the cement as possible. Jig it a few times and you’ll catch threadfins and blue runners which can be used as bait. Put ‘em on a 2/0 hook and fish on bottom, or float them out about 3 feet under a float. You’re likely to catch grouper or snapper on bottom, Spanish on top. Good luck, Frank Sargeant