Family Fun Fishing – A Beginner’s Guide to Land Based Fishing
September is known for being the transition month from summer to fall in Tampa Bay.
As the boiling heat cools down to a light simmer, September makes for a great month to take the family out fishing. In this article, I’m not going to talk about fishing from a boat, or targeting any species in particular. I’m going to explain how to enjoy land based fishing for those who are curious, or those with families looking to enjoy the outdoors fishing.
A favorite area of mine to fish from land is the Skyway Bridge. The rest areas located on both the Manatee County and Pinellas County sides are great places to go wading in waist deep water for trout, mackerel, snapper, redfish and even snook on occasion.
Before purchasing a boat I had spent a lot of time at these rest areas fishing during the day and at night. The key to fishing the rest areas is finding seagrass that’s thick. The Skyway Fishing piers on both sides of the bridge offer a great fishing experience day or night in a safe environment.
From the wide variety of fish that can be caught, to the scenery, this is definitely at the top of my list of family fun fishing destinations. Common fish caught at the Skyway Fishing Piers are snapper, grunts, sheepshead, mackerel, grouper, sharks and tarpon on occasion.
A bait shop is located at the pier and they usually keep live shrimp on hand. You may however want to make a stop at a local bait store for a wider variety of baits and tackle. Live shrimp and pinfish are popular baits used by many Skyway Pier fishermen.
Fort De Soto Park is another favorite of mine when it comes to simplicity and ease of access. The eastern end of the park has an unfinished beach half a mile long that presents a beautiful view of the Skyway Bridge. This area is a dynamite spot for catching trout and big redfish while wading, live or artificial shrimp will do the trick.
The two piers offer great opportunity for those looking to stay dry and still enjoy the experience of fishing. Common fish caught on the piers at Ft. De Soto are mackerel, trout, sheepshead, black drum and bonnethead sharks.
I recommend stopping by the Bait Bucket in Tierra Verde for advice on what’s biting and what to use for bait and proper tackle. They always have plenty of bait and a good report on the Skyway Piers and Ft. De Soto fishing.
For anglers on a budget who are looking for an affordable rod and reel to get started with I recommend the Tsunami six foot Shockwave Pro two piece combo. It comes with monofilament line already on for only 30 dollars. There are many rods and reels to choose from, and generally you get what you pay for. However, this rod and reel is great for starters and won’t break the bank.
Remember to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids, as that the sun can take the fun out of any fishing trip if ignored. To learn more about the Skyway Fishing Piers visit:www.floridastateparks.org/park/skyway. To learn more about Fort De Soto Park visit: www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm.