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I went out to the south skyway pier last night, arrived around midnight and stayed until noon today. This morning around 9 am I noticed a guy in an FWC t-shirt asking questions only to people who were packing up their vehicles. He caught me packing up at noon and stopped to ask if I would answer a few questions for a survey for FWC, I said "Sure".
Here are the questions he asked:

How many times in last 12 months have you been here? How many in last 2 months? How many hours did you spend here today (Of course my answer was 12)? What were you mainly looking to catch while you were here (I said "dinner")? What did you catch and about how many of each (today there was absolutely nothing but pigfish, pinfish and greenbacks.. You wouldn’t believe how dead it was out there, but I did end up with a nice sunburn/tan)? How many people fished with you today? AND... When does your fishing license expire ?

He also wanted my name and my phone #. I brought my 15 year old daughter and her 15 year old boyfriend and the FWC guy wanted the boy's name and number too. I said no to that question, the boy had never been saltwater fishing, it was his first time at the skyway pier and he had a blast with the Sabiki rig all day long while the rest of us prayed for some mackerel.

As we were talking he told me that as of August 1st, everyone (of age requirement) MUST have a fishing license. But, those people who receive Medicaid do not have to have a license. However they MUST have their Medicaid card and a Photo ID with them.

I asked if the increased pier fee ($4 per car plus $4 per person) would go back down. He said he didn’t know about that, but agreed with me that it certainly should. Especially since they closed one side of the pier and we only have half a pier to fish on. Half the pier, in my mind, should be half the price - LOL.

Ok... Well didn’t know if you were aware of any of this stuff and thought I’d let you know.

Tami Stone
(Fishin Momma)
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Dear Tami:

What you experienced was very commonplace with the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.) They frequently go to ramps, docks and piers to interview anglers in order to develop relevant data for the management of our fisheries resources.

As for that $7.50 annual saltwater land based license which goes into effect on August 1st, it would not be required on the Skyway Piers because they have a blanket license which covers all who fish there.

As for the parking and admission fees charged to get on the Skyway piers, they are still relatively modest and go toward maintaining this very unique and often productive fishing facility.

Capt. Mel Berman

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Capt.Mel:

I have 2 questions for you. I will be leaving for St. Kitts this weekend. There are some baby tarpon in the ponds and bays on the island. What are some good techniques to catch them?

Second question, I bought a St.Croix 7 ft travel rod and I want to find a good reel for $150 or less. I have looked at the Spheros, the Penn Slammer, the Penn AF, the Shimano Saros, the BG 20 and a Daiwa 3000 Sol (I can get a good deal on it.) What do you recommend?

Thanks,

Steve Dupree
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Dear Steve:

The one important aspect of fishing for tarpon of any size is exercising great stealth. They really do spook quite easily, On the other hand, they and not really that picky when it comes to baits. Certainly, pass crabs, sardines, blue runners and other baits will get their attention. As for lures, they will eagerly strike everything from surface to sub surface plugs, jigs, spoons, DOA Baitbusters, etc. The main tactic would to toss your baits in their line of travel. Avoid tossing anything right into a school of moving tarpon. Then when you get that strike, you really need to set the hook firmly.

All of the reels that you mention are good reliable and well made. However, I have become a big fan of Diawa and Okuma reels. They seem to hold up very well in a saltwater environment and especially the Diawa products have been designed for the widely used fiber lines.

Anyhow, that's my humble opinion --and I hope it's been of some help.

Capt. Mel

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Is there anywhere around the Tampa area inshore, to catch spike mackerel? If so, what lures or bait would you use?

Bob McLemore
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Dear Bob:

There is a lure called the Spike Mackerel -- but such species named "spike mackerel." Perhaps you are referencing the many "Spanish Mackerel" that populate our local waters. If that's what you would be referencing, both the Skyway Piers and Gulf Pier at Ft. Desoto this time of year have good numbers of them -- and can be caught with live white bait, spoons, gotcha plugs and jigs.

If you have access to a boat, lust look for the big schools of bait near shore and troll either spoons or live baits under them -- and you should catch many using these techniques.

Capt. Mel Berman

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I tried twice to stay on the line and speak with you, but errand got in the way- son, graduation party and hell of a honey do list. Anyway I wanted to ask you what type of gear do you need to fish off of the Skyway Pier? I do not want to go out there and look the complete novice, and by the way when you do hook one how do you get it up to the pier?

I am just a guy from Texas who does mostly surf fishing, and at Thanksgiving we head out to Padre Island- like we have done for 45 years , go to Little Shell, you must have 4 wheel drive, make camp and catch some monster Reds- 40" to 49" our record.

Thanks for your show!

Alfons Alizzi
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Dear Alfons:

Sorry we couldn't get you on the air when you called into our show. I hope this won't deter you in the future. I know our listeners would just love to hear from a fellow fishing enthusiast in Texas.

As for fishing the skyway, most take rods and reels that would be a bit heavier that one would use for fishing the flats. This is because the Skyway is essentially similar to fishing offshore -- but from a land-based structure. While many who fish there catch smaller and lighter species, chances are very good that one could hook into big grouper, sharks, tarpon, cobia and other monsters that would test one's tackle. So my suggestion would be to take medium-heavy tackle for best Skyway fishing results.

Capt. Mel Berman

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