Its been real, time to move on

[goindeep]

Its was fun while it lasted, but the pier is just a waste of money for me anymore, I wont be going back.

It was cool meeting a bunch of you guys and fishin with ya, but its time for me to move on.

If anyone wants to take over as admin of this forum, shoot me a PM.

Maybe Ill catch yall on another forum somewhere. Take care.

Steve

[arrantzale]

Wow... Im sorry to hear that Steve. What brought you to this decision if you dont mind me asking. Good luck in your future endeavors

[goindeep]

Its just not the place it used to be. My last 9 or 10 trips there have been a waste of money, and Im done giving the state my entry fee to do whatever they want with. They sure as hell arent spending it on the piers. Oh, wait. They ARE going to partially demolish the East spans this summer, and that costs money, so I guess they ARE spending some of that money on the piers.

The west spans only have a few years left anyway, and this forum, along with the piers, is dying a slow death. Im not going to take the forum offline, as theres way too much great information here, but its just going to get less and less relative as time runs out on the piers.

I was at the SSP today/tonight, and none of the street lights from the bait shop to the end of the pier were working once it got dark. WTF! I planned on staying and fishing till about midnight, but once dark I couldnt see a foot in front of me, so there was no point in staying. So almost $10 for 3 hours of fishing (plus $20+ in gas, $20 for ice/snacks/bait/etc)...On top of that, the West spans are completely over fished, theres so much tackle in the reefs I cant go out there and fish without losing $20 in lead and hooks because of all the snags... And dont get me started on how they dont take care of the trash or bathrooms....Complete bull####.

Im glad I got to know some of the members here, and if any of you guys wanna keep in touch, my email addy is [e-mail], feel free to drop me a line or send a friend request on Facebook.

So, who wants the keys to the kingdom? Ill give someone Mod power, but not absolute power, because like I said before, I wanna make sure it stays online, if for no other reason to be a resource for some great fishing information.

[inshorebasher]

Damn steve sorry to hear about that but i'm in the same boat as you. i stopped fishing the skyway once i moved out of tampa back to orlando and fishing there isn't as good anymore. this site is a great place to find useful information and meet great people. I hope to see it continue to grow and a moderator will take over and keep it running.

[David from NC]

There are pros and cons regarding the pier and each of us have to individually evaluate its personal value. Certainly, it is such a shame to see the pier crumble. I have always tended to look at things from a position of potential and if whoever handles the purse strings could do the same with a family or sportsman's mentality, they could easily see that indeed the pier still holds great potential. However, there is a point of no return and perhaps it has been passed mentally if not quite yet structurally. There are numerous possibilities to make it a long term, useful facility but if there is no mindset to do so, things will just continue to go down hill.

Having only been in the area for slightly over a year I have made about 30 trips to the Skyway since I'm only 25 minutes away. For me it has been an obvious choice since on those days when my back or hip are banging it appeals to drive out, park, and immediately fish. Not having to walk a distance with gear is a major plus for me. Three Advil and I'm good for 2-3 hours. I have fished alone, with my wife, and at times with our two girls and a friend tagging along. I've always enjoyed being there which is the primary point for me these days. In years past I was driven in my fishing and was successful. These days I don't have anything to prove so actually enjoy fishing more. If I catch something its a bonus but regardless I enjoy the air, the sun, the water, and interactions with others. Mike and his crew are a lot of fun and seem to thrive on being helpful.

Where I lived in North Carolina I was 3 hours from Hatteras and pier prices up there are now $10 a pop so based on proximity and price, the Skyway is still a bargain to me. In a year I'd never get to the Outer Banks as often as I can get to the Skyway. The value of the pier is determined by our individual needs and preferences.

The place where we can all certainly agree though is that it is a shame just to let the structure go. I hate seeing anything fall apart, including me! I wish someone who has the authority to do so could see the potential I mentioned earlier and act.

[tylerdurden]

I hear you man. Its a shame but I want to commend you on a great forum man. But I also gotta give props to SkyJay and a few others, but his posts really stuck out. Thank you for your time and effort

I really miss the old days when you guys had both sides opened and there was some true fanatics on here and this site had soem true potential. While I never did the skyway myself, I am a pier rat, just a pier rat that doesnt like to pay to fish somewhere. Fishing from a dock or pier is just alot more fun for me than any other fishing.

This is still my favorite pic of the pier for some reason


Oh yeah are there any other forums local besides Capt Mels?

[Big-W-Man62]

Steve.......I have still checked in to the forum from time to time even though I have not been out to the piers for almost 2 years.
I want to thank you for your dedication, hard work, and commitment to making this a great forum for so long. It was great meeting you the couple of times we fished out there together. I agree with what the Skyway Piers have become. I have kayak fished only for the past couple of years. It is a great way to fish and cheaper than a boat. I got 2 big kings and a 120lb tarpon out of the kayak last Oct. Best of everything to you Steve. Thanks again!! - David W
I am on both the Capt Mel's and Hardcore Kayak Anglers Club forums. Handle is Oldtimer.

[riverviewsteve]

Steve you've done an awful good job on this site and were sure gonna miss
you. I am in agreement with what everyone is saying though. We have or had
depending how you view it the greates fishing piers in the world and I just can't
fathom why they let something that great just go to a sorry end. I guess it would
take a lot of money but then again we all been spending a lot of money. It sure
doesn't seem fair, but that's life I guess. I for one intend to keep visiting the site
as long as it's here or I'm here whichever. Lots of great imformation and great
new friends. I sure do have to agree with you about the condition of the piers.
If they can keep the lights on and bathrooms clean on the North Pier why not
the South Pier. Aren't they managed by the same people? OK I'll get off my
soap box. Best of luck to all of you whatever you decide.
riverviewsteve

[dadflyer]

Steve ,

You've developed a site that anyone would be proud of .

It is a treasure-trove of information , but I especially appreciate the archieve of data and information that I can access by going back in the history. It is rich in when and how certain species show up , and how to catch'em.

I am disappointed with the idea that you feel that its time to move on. Yeah , fishing from the piers is in decline , low maintenance issues and the like, but this site is and has been a barometer of fishing conditions on the west Florida coast.

I can't believe that municiple , county , or state government dont see the value of having the bridge in good repair ; the pier is a tourist magnet for the area , and enjoys a reputation all along the eastern Atlantic seabord, and this website has been the piers' voice. Yeah , I am frustrated too ,.. but I will continue to hang in there. Its been a long winter ... but macks are showing and soon , so will the kingfish .

Before I signed in , I happened to look at the site statistics . A lot of lookie-looks , and visitors come to this board, above and beyond the members. I thank you for your efforts , as well as the members who contribute to the forum. Thanks again .

Dadflyer

Dadflyer

[grouperscooper]

I used to want to move.........because of the skyway piers.

Hope all finds ya well out there Steve.

[gerard1031]

Man, sorry to hear, hope you find some great alternatives to the pier. You've definitely put together a solid resource with this board, and if it vanishes it will be a shame, but I guess that is the nature of the internet right?

I mean the friggen skyway can't even be bothered to keep up with a message board so just another example of their interest in only collecting admissions.

Anyway....many thanks and fish on!

[bridgetender]

Feb 27, 2011 1:10:54 GMT -5 goindeep said:

Its just not the place it used to be.

Thats all that needed to be said right there.

IMHO the sooner they demolish whats left the better off "The Bay" will be !!

[permit53]

I just moved down here last year and fished skyway a few times with alot of nice hookup, but I am on your side all they way... way to expensive to fish and collect tax money just to raise the prices for half the goods! Tear it down so i dont have to look at it anymore! lol

[Look'n4Tuna]

Steve I am sorry to hear that you're moving on. You have been a great part of this forum, and always added great input. It was great meeting you out on the pier and hopefully we'll see you around somewhere in the area wetting you line.

[ripnlips]

sorry to hear that you feel that way steve. personally, i hate hearing that you are willing to just drop everything and give up, but that's your choice. i can see how you would be frustraited about the whole situation but if it was me, i wouldnt give up. hope to see you soon, wherever it may be.

[goindeep]

Hey Marrio, Im not giving up fishing, Im just not gonna be fishing at the piers. Im giving Capt Steve a call soon to see if I can set up a short 9 mile trip on the weekend of April 8th (im off all weekend) if nothing else maybe Ill get to catch some inshore gags, mangos, and/or AJs...And Id still love to come up and fish with you guys one of these weekends. Youve got my number, gimmie a call or text anytime.

I guess Ill still pop in here once in a while and sticky the tide thread every month if no one else wants to do it.

[havetofish]

Hey Steve,

Certainly understandable with the frustration level of the piers. Let me know if I can help out. I am not on as much as I used to be, because I haven't fished the piers since before Thanksgiving.

As gar as the tides go...the Skyway Tide Predictions has always been under the "Useful Links" Sticky. I'll make a separate post so you can move it to a new Sticky.

[goindeep]

Thanks John. And Done