The Skyway dolphin exhibit is now open

[BigDawg71]

Well that's certainly what it felt like Sunday. Took the kids fishing on the SSP Sunday for a little Father's Day fun. What I didn't realize is that I would be honoring Flipper on this fine day. Got there around 8:15 or so and started filling the bait bucket with really large threadfins and a handful of pinfish. I should've known it was going to be a slow day when I didn't lose one rig, nay one hook, to a mackerel! Floated out a pinfish under a bright yellow balloon and a few minutes later Flipper and friends showed up. Needless to say the score was now Flipper 1, Jamie 0. Did this a few more times and in short order it was 4-0. On the last float I saw him coming in advance and started reeling in fast. Well apparently this was a game for him because right after I started reeling and the balloon popped, he (or she) followed it in all the way and was rolling over on its back and seemed to be playing with it. It was kinda cool to see this huge dolphin up close and personal and after letting it hang in the water for a few minutes I pulled it up and ended the show. Next float out I decide to try it without the balloon thinking maybe they got used to seeing it and I could sneak one out without them noticing. yeah I know wishful thinking but I had to try. For a short time I thought lady luck was on my side until she crept up and farted in my face. I spot flipper and notice my bait is about 50-60 yds farther out than he is and he starts to cruise on by like he doesn't care. I'm doing a silent cheer until right as it comes up on my line it turns on a dime and follows the bright yellow trail out to my bait.

I wish this report had a happy ending but other than the bait and a small sea bass nothing else came over the rail. Water was not moving much and nothing was biting. Saw a few shorts come over the rail on the next rock pile but that was about it.

hope everyone else had better luck

[havetofish]

We have all visited that exhibit.
At least you went fishing with your kids...that ain't all bad.
I presume your bright yellow trail is Hi-vis braid. Believe me it wouldn't have mattered if it was flouro, they know where your line is and even where the hook is. I have found that the only thing you can do is stop feeding them and hope they move on, or make a move yourself. As long as you keep tossing those pins they will hang around.
Sad part is if you happen to hook into a Gag, your chance of getting him to the pier is slim also.
What's even more fun is doing some precision freelining under the east span, only to have the same thing happen.

[filletnrelease]

They gain 5lb's every time I go.

[tylerdurden]

I caught a keeper seabass a few weekends ago, but the poor fish was being chased by flipper. Thankfully it was on my big spinner with 65lb test so I was skimming the guy across the top of the water the entire way in like you see those mackerel trolling fish shows where they just keep driving the same speed and just reel the fish in without a fight.

Flipper was making repeated passes at it but I got it in, but the seabass was missing most of its tail where the dolphin had gotten it at one point.

Also what is with those fishing shows that I just talked about. I would think it would take the fun out of fishing if your not even fighting the fish, just the water from the boat speeding along