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Post by seabird on Nov 17, 2015 22:14:47 GMT -5
Shadowxmas and I went out and tried despite the very windy conditions. However, we decided
to check out Ft. DeSoto as we have not been there this year. We found that the fishing hours
are now until 11 pm at both piers. For many months, the park had closed at sunset.
We paid a total of $6.25 to fish....two small tolls on the way to the main gate where $5
is charged per car. No additional angler charge as there is on the Skyway piers. The bait/snack
shop is only open 9-330pm at the Bay pier. The shop at the longer Gulf pier was closed.
We walked both piers and then decided to try the short Bay pier. We did note there were some
mackerel taken at both piers, mainly with small live greenbacks. Some small flounder were
showing up as well as speckled trout. The winter fish are moving in.
We fished the pier for a bit over 2 hours. We did not catch much between us; a large pinfish,
an undersized speckled trout, a large sandperch and a cowfish. A family fishing next to us got
undersized flounder, speckled trout and a very small gag grouper. Other folks fishing nearby
got several macks using live greenies. I tried one of the greenies and had a large mack on
but it got off the hook. We fished in the late afternoon and a bit beyond sunset.
We saw the trip as a scouting mission as we heard about high winds at the Skyway.
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Post by shadowxmas on Nov 18, 2015 0:10:15 GMT -5
I got bites but did not land any fish. Seabird caught all the fish this trip. I got skunked which is rare for me.
The lighting on the Bay Pier is really good after dark but we can not say the same for the parking lot. It was really dark when we got to the car. If you go at night take a flashlight or headlamp!
We did see a flounder, some macks and small Jack Crevalle caught at the Gulf pier.
I tried the sabiki rig, single hook with 2 different size hooks and also tried using a #0 squidspoon and had no luck. The wind made it hard to feel the bite on the line and even putting your finger on the line was not easy but it did help make a difference. The water quality was not bad.
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Post by tears143 on Nov 18, 2015 7:01:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the report guys!
The gulf pier usually do better with macks.
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Post by seabird on Nov 18, 2015 11:45:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the report guys! The gulf pier usually do better with macks. Tears143, In the past I have noticed that the Gulf pier is better for macks. MM has caught a great many out there, I have seen him haul them in. In the winter, the grunts, trout and whiting are better found in the Gulf pier as well. The waters off the short Bay pier are deeper and the fish variety is larger. Night fishing can be very good there. We did not expect to catch much given the winds and the not so good solunar prediction but we wanted to get out as I will be up north for almost 2 weeks over Thanksgiving. Will watch your posts from the freezing north.  (That umbrella is for the snow too) |
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Post by seabird on Nov 18, 2015 11:52:24 GMT -5
To add to shadowxmas's report. I want to mention what I used for lures/bait. I used the greenies briefly but I did not have the right kind of very light weight sinkers. When I lost the big mack, I lost the only light weight sinkers I had. Next time that will not happen. Otherwise, I used the sabiki either tipped with squid and (don't tell mackerelman  ) shrimp flavored fish bites. I tried the #0 spoon for awhile as well with no action. |
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Post by tears143 on Nov 18, 2015 16:45:40 GMT -5
To add to shadowxmas's report. I want to mention what I used for lures/bait. I used the greenies briefly but I did not have the right kind of very light weight sinkers. When I lost the big mack, I lost the only light weight sinkers I had. Next time that will not happen. Otherwise, I used the sabiki either tipped with squid and (don't tell mackerelman ) shrimp flavored fish bites. I tried the #0 spoon for awhile as well with no action. Just freeline.. no weight.. try that for macks. |
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Post by seabird on Nov 18, 2015 17:00:15 GMT -5
I was using small split shot sinkers to get the bait to sink a bit. We were also not sure where the best place to hook the small live baits as we lost many due to bites either from trout or macks.
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Post by tears143 on Nov 18, 2015 17:37:10 GMT -5
Did you have a long shank hook like one of these?  I got this pack from walmart... pretty cheap... hook through the nose or next to head, if water moving away from you. hook the back area (either top of bottom) next to the tail if water moving toward you. |
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Post by tylerdurden on Nov 18, 2015 18:54:04 GMT -5
Definitely like the gulf pier better. But it gets slow round this time. Trout all have worms off the piers it seems.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2015 20:00:19 GMT -5
Tylerdurden: Which Trout ? Spotted Trout or Sea Trout or Whiting ?
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Post by seabird on Nov 18, 2015 20:31:13 GMT -5
Tears143,
I do not have the long shanked hooks but will get them for the next trip. Thanks. Ok, I was
hooking them either close to the head or tail but we were using short hooks.
tylerduren, I was not aware the trout had worms off the piers. I have same question as MM....
the silver trout or the speckled/spotted trout?
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Post by tears143 on Nov 18, 2015 20:39:06 GMT -5
Any trout can have worms. They belong to the drum family. Drum family fish.. the bigger they are, the more likely they'll have worm. Just cook them and you'll be fine.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2015 21:03:33 GMT -5
Seabird: When You are trying to catch a Mackerel, You have to use a Long Shank Hook when using Live Bait or Cut Bait or You will most likely get cut off every time. Also, if You catch a Mackerel(even a small one), cut it up into approximately 1"x1" pieces or small strips & put it on a Long Shank Hook. It drives the Mackerel Crazy. Don't even bother Using the "Fish Bites" because it is a Waste of Your Money. Always Use: MM's Mack Bites. I have already proven that they work.   |
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Post by shadowxmas on Nov 18, 2015 21:43:11 GMT -5
I have a couple of long shank hooks. Will try hooking them up next time.
I did not try freelining without a sinker.
FYI Ricks Bait and Tackle on the Tom Stewart Causeway in Madeira Beach has a package of 12 3 ounce sinkers with swivels for $17.95. There is a loop on each end of the sinker and a swivel attached to each loop so it can swivel around. I should have taken a picture this afternoon but I had frozen food in the car and needed to get home. I stopped on my way home from the grocery store as I pass the store on my way home.
We saw speckled seatrout.
I got good news today from Ricks Bait and Tackle and many of you might already know this that there is now no closed seasons on spotted speckled seatrout or redfish. They are both open year round but still have size and bag limits.
I know drum fish can have worms. I have cleaned some for people when I was working at the baitshop at Hubbard's Marina many years ago and did see some worms on the bigger fish. I just cut the worms out and kept going. the fish I was cleaning was a pretty good size maybe 5+ pounds.
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Post by tears143 on Nov 18, 2015 22:04:17 GMT -5
Never knew spotted speckled seatrout or redfish have a season. I always thought they are always open and just have a size limit on them.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2015 22:40:08 GMT -5
Speckled Trout had a Regulated Season after the Red Tide of 2005 Killed Many of the Trout in Our Area. If I remember, the Regulated season was discontinued in 2011 with the Limits in Our Area to a Minimum Size Limit of More than 15 inches and less than 20 inches total length and may possess One over 20 inches included in bag limit. Daily Bag Limit 4 per harvester per day. Season Open year-round according to the FWC.
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Post by tylerdurden on Nov 19, 2015 7:39:14 GMT -5
The speckled trout have worms. Far more frequently than 50/50 out there. I'd say closer to 80 to 90 percent. Although the reverse is the case for the trout off the pass a grille jetty.I don't like eeating the worms but when I haven't had fresh fish lately ill put up with them. Can't taste them and based on my research i second hearing that there have been no human infection.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2015 16:44:46 GMT -5
Never knew spotted speckled seatrout or redfish have a season. I always thought they are always open and just have a size limit on them. I didn't knew that either, until I paid a hefty fine 3 years ago! |
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Post by shadowxmas on Nov 19, 2015 22:41:32 GMT -5
Never knew spotted speckled seatrout or redfish have a season. I always thought they are always open and just have a size limit on them. The redfish season went into effect I think because blackened redfish was so popular and the numbers of fish were being depleted. |
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Post by gatorgrad on Nov 21, 2015 21:10:00 GMT -5
Never knew spotted speckled seatrout or redfish have a season. I always thought they are always open and just have a size limit on them. I didn't knew that either, until I paid a hefty fine 3 years ago! If you catch a 18.25" redfish that shrinks 1 inch on the ice, what happens? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2015 21:19:08 GMT -5
You either Take the Chance & Run with the Fish or You get Fined. This is why I keep My Fish in Fresh Water so they don't Shrink. Just don't let the Fish Dry out either. It also has the Same effect.
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Post by tears143 on Nov 21, 2015 21:23:26 GMT -5
I would step on it hard so it'll increase an inch... just kidding...
If I plan to stay long, then I would throw the fish back, but short time I'll keep it.
If it shrinks, you'll get fine...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2015 13:04:06 GMT -5
It's Just like Mackerel. They will also Shrink when Put on Ice. That is why I do not Keep Mackerel less than 14" even though the Limit is 12". This way I know I am Safe and Staying within FWC Guidelines, Rules & Regulations. People, it is Just Not Worth It. Enjoy Your Fishing Experience. Tight Lines & Fill Your Buckets & Coolers. |
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Post by blacktip on Nov 22, 2015 16:44:04 GMT -5
Gatorgrad, if its that close you may want to release it, but if 100% sure its legal, snap a pic of the fish against a current fish ruler. Make sure your camera has a time/date stamp or use your pier pass...... in the picture.
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