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Post by getitdone on May 2, 2008 7:20:08 GMT -5
Someone was telling me that you can find the rockpiles by the lightpolls on the piers. it that true? and if it is how is it done? thanks Moderator Note: I have posted the aerials I have below. Scroll Down or just click this link: skywaypiers.proboards.com/post/35539 |
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Post by havetofish on May 7, 2008 15:24:26 GMT -5
or use Microsoft Terra Server
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Post by BigDawg71 on Jul 4, 2008 14:16:35 GMT -5
Someone was telling me that you can find the rockpiles by the lightpolls on the piers. it that true? and if it is how is it done? thanks I was told by one guy that if you look under the bridge and look for the pilings that have 5 or 6 "fingers" the rock piles are straight out from there. i have tried it a few times and it seems to hold true, at least on the SSP. |
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Post by goindeep on Jul 4, 2008 14:38:22 GMT -5
Look for the pilings that have diagonal supports. Look at them from in between the roads on the pier.
I saw someone post it on the other board something like this:
/ || \ <--- piling w/diagonal supports
Thats where the rockpiles are lined up (or so Ive read)
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Post by BigDawg71 on Jul 5, 2008 8:00:40 GMT -5
Look for the pilings that have diagonal supports. Look at them from in between the roads on the pier. I saw someone post it on the other board something like this: / || \ <--- piling w/diagonal supports Thats where the rockpiles are lined up (or so Ive read) Yup, those are the fingers I was referring to. there are about 5 or 6 of them. real easy to spot. |
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Post by eaglesfanguy on Jul 7, 2008 19:00:33 GMT -5
Terrafly is pretty cool..
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dadfish
Whitebait
Giggidy-Giggidy
Posts: 15
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Post by dadfish on Jul 9, 2008 13:17:33 GMT -5
It looks like the rock piles are quite a ways from the pier..
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Post by goindeep on Jul 17, 2008 2:20:07 GMT -5
Most start about 3 roadway widths away, which isnt that far...the end of the piles?? Thats a different story!!!
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Post by estreetbrat on Jul 17, 2008 13:16:53 GMT -5
Look for the pilings that have diagonal supports. Look at them from in between the roads on the pier. I saw someone post it on the other board something like this: / || \ <--- piling w/diagonal supports Thats where the rockpiles are lined up (or so Ive read) Yup, those are the fingers I was referring to. there are about 5 or 6 of them. real easy to spot. I was checking that out last weekend, and they seem pretty uniform. Two stright sets of pilings, one slanted. Two stright sets of pilings, one slanted. Two stright sets of pilings, one slanted. etc........ So I'm guessing any corralation between pilings and rock piles would be by chance alone. |
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Post by eaglesfanguy on Jul 21, 2008 0:05:59 GMT -5
I heard the slants are rock pile indicators....... I think it was Skyjay that mentioned that a while back.
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Post by SkyJay on Jul 21, 2008 10:11:14 GMT -5
wer't I, but it doseem to work pretty good, to line up with the crooked pilings, to find structure.
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Post by jettyfisher on Aug 15, 2008 23:49:37 GMT -5
Awesome thread and great photos. I've some of them before, a few I haven't. Good info on the piling supports.
Thanks everyone.
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Post by BigDawg71 on Jul 14, 2010 12:16:10 GMT -5
found another site that has aerial shots of the piers. I was looking at the ariel photos for fort desoto and decided to scroll over and take a look at the skyway..sure enough you can see the rock piles (not as well) but you can zoom in and get a better look at where they are in regards to some landmarks such as the bathrooms and baithouse. If you see a particular pile you want to target, count the light poles from the closest landmark and you're in business. of course that depends on whether or not all the poles are still there ;-) these photos are from before they closed the east span so anything goes www.fortdesoto.com/googlemap2.php |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2015 18:58:30 GMT -5
For those of You that are having a hard time finding the Rock Piles on the Piers, I have an easy way of Locating the Rock Piles without having to bend over the sides of the Piers and Possibly Falling into the Water or into the Mouth of a Hungry Shark. On the South Side Pier after the 2nd Bathroom, Look for the Numbered Columns along the Gulf Side Rails. When You see a Numbered Column just Look behind You and What do You See ? You see that this is where the Road Slabs of Concrete Meet. These Types of Columns were installed to Prevent Shifting of the 2 Joining Slabs of Concrete due to the High Wind and Water Current. The Same way of Locating the Rock Piles on the North Side Pier are in the same manner but after the bathroom.
Look for the Numbered Columns along the Gulf Side Rails and Divide x 4. If the Last 2 Numbers are divisible by 4 then there is a Rock Pile Outward into the Bay. Such as: 120, 124, 128, 132, etc.
When Fishing on the Southside Pier, Fish on the Left Side of the Last 2 Numbers divisible by 4 because the Outgoing Tide moves on an Angle and to the Right into the Channel.
When Fishing on the Northside Pier, Fish on the Right Side of the Last 2 Numbers divisible by 4 because the Outgoing Tide moves on an Angle and to the Left into the Channel. |
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Post by havetofish on Apr 30, 2016 11:56:23 GMT -5
Distance of SSP Rockpiles  |
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oz
Whitebait
Posts: 9 
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Post by oz on May 7, 2017 17:21:40 GMT -5
Like others here, I am retired military; a spook by trade. Looking at various 2D and 3D imagery, the cross-angled support columns do indeed seem to indicate rock pile locations. Some other pier structures can been referenced, being very close to, or right between two rock pile structure lines.
Best to all//OZ
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oz
Whitebait
Posts: 9
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Post by oz on May 22, 2017 14:50:23 GMT -5
If, and I understand it is a big if, anyone cares, I did some mensuration on the aerial photos using their scale; and, came up with the following:
- the larger, intact, rock piles (fingers) range approximately 27 - 30 yds. from the pier railing straight out.
- the rock ringer piles are approximately 27/30 yds. from edge to closest edge.
- they appear to be almost precisely 50 yds. apart center to center.
If it helps us, good; if not; it was fun doing...
Best to all//oz
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Post by havetofish on Jul 26, 2017 16:19:00 GMT -5
Here are aerial maps I created many years ago, and I think the best quality I have seen. Obviously, things have changed since parts of the East span that have been removed. I can also provide members with link to my Dropbox for the full file which can be zoomed in even farther. If needed send me a PM. Dont know why photos show up missing sometimes.. Postimage.org has changed something. North Side Pier Not very good. Does not show much, but all the structure is off the west side. East side is mostly sandy bottom.  South Side Pier North of Bait House  South of Bait House  |
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Post by aussieguy on Apr 16, 2018 6:25:56 GMT -5
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Post by ez2cdave on Sept 26, 2018 16:00:03 GMT -5
GOOGLE aerial images - 2018
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Post by corpuszero on May 7, 2019 15:33:14 GMT -5
So...are rockpiles good or bad? I'm guessing you stay away from them so you don't get snagged?
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Post by tears143 on May 8, 2019 8:45:20 GMT -5
So...are rockpiles good or bad? I'm guessing you stay away from them so you don't get snagged? good, you cast close to them to get fish sleeping in them. |
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carey
Rod Polisher
Posts: 159
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Post by carey on May 14, 2019 15:14:00 GMT -5
So...are rockpiles good or bad? I'm guessing you stay away from them so you don't get snagged? Fish like structure so they are good. Imagine you are in a sandy dessert and come across a bunch of trees or a building, where you gonna hang out? Fish like snapper, grouper, grunts and sheephead like the structure. It offers protection and food since other fish and crustaceans are attracted to it too. I used to throw just a sinker and drag it on the bottom until I found the snags. Now I just look for the pilones underneath the opposite span, usually if there are crooked pilons and a row of six instead of four there are probably rocks. At least in my experience this has worked for me. Try casting just short of the rocks. If you are fishing at night its almost right where the lights fade out on the water. If you are getting snagged too much cast a little bit shorter. If you are new to the pier try using a 2/o circle hook with 30lb test, 1 or 2 oz sinker(just enough to stay on the bottom depending how strong the tide is) and use a mono or fluoro leader 30lb, about two ft should do it. Cut some greenbacks or sardines into chunks and toss them out to the rocks. You will probably get some snapper. If you don't get any decent bites move to another pile. On the incoming tide fish the bridge itself next to some pilons. I use the same technique for grouper when they are in season, just heavier line and bigger hooks and baits. Stop and chat with people, see what they are doing. If it's working for them or they seem experienced pick up on their techniques and try it. Just because it doesn't work the first time doesn't mean it doesn't work too. |
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Post by corpuszero on May 14, 2019 15:23:30 GMT -5
So...are rockpiles good or bad? I'm guessing you stay away from them so you don't get snagged? Fish like structure so they are good. Imagine you are in a sandy dessert and come across a bunch of trees or a building, where you gonna hang out? Fish like snapper, grouper, grunts and sheephead like the structure. It offers protection and food since other fish and crustaceans are attracted to it too. I used to throw just a sinker and drag it on the bottom until I found the snags. Now I just look for the pilones underneath the opposite span, usually if there are crooked pilons and a row of six instead of four there are probably rocks. At least in my experience this has worked for me. Try casting just short of the rocks. If you are fishing at night its almost right where the lights fade out on the water. If you are getting snagged too much cast a little bit shorter. If you are new to the pier try using a 2/o circle hook with 30lb test, 1 or 2 oz sinker(just enough to stay on the bottom depending how strong the tide is) and use a mono or fluoro leader 30lb, about two ft should do it. Cut some greenbacks or sardines into chunks and toss them out to the rocks. You will probably get some snapper. If you don't get any decent bites move to another pile. On the incoming tide fish the bridge itself next to some pilons. I use the same technique for grouper when they are in season, just heavier line and bigger hooks and baits. Stop and chat with people, see what they are doing. If it's working for them or they seem experienced pick up on their techniques and try it. Just because it doesn't work the first time doesn't mean it doesn't work too. Awesome info! You rock!  |
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Post by justfishin2 on Sept 13, 2019 8:42:52 GMT -5
New google maps have very clear image of rock piles around the SSP. first image is of the 3rd restroom and the second image is in front of the baithouse.   |
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Post by bigdogg69 on May 3, 2021 20:33:27 GMT -5
Here are aerial maps I created many years ago, and I think the best quality I have seen. Obviously, things have changed since parts of the East span that have been removed. I can also provide members with link to my Dropbox for the full file which can be zoomed in even farther. If needed send me a PM. Dont know why photos show up missing sometimes.. Postimage.org has changed something. North Side Pier Not very good. Does not show much, but all the structure is off the west side. East side is mostly sandy bottom. South Side Pier North of Bait House South of Bait House |
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Post by Mackerelman on May 29, 2021 0:14:58 GMT -5
Rock Pile DistancesMany People has asked how far are the Rock Piles are from the South Side Pier. Now You can find Your Answer. Bring Up: www.google.com/maps/Go to the Skyway South Side Pier Area 1. You can now see the Bathroom Locations & the Bait Shop on Both Piers Click on the "Satellite View"You can even see where the Light Poles are when You Enlarge the Map on each Pier To Check out the Distance of the Rockpiles from the South Side Pier:1. Click On the Edge of the Roadway & a Small Icon will pop up. 2. Right Click on the Small Icon & an Information Box will Pop up 3. Click On "Measure distance" 4. Click on the Edge of the Selected Rock Pile & a Distance will be shown You Cannot see the Rock Piles very well at the North Skyway Pier
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