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Post by seabird on Oct 15, 2019 6:13:59 GMT -5
Tried some late afternoon/early evening (5-730pm) fishing. Tide was falling along with debris which normally is not good there. Fished the small (Bay Pier). Saw nothing caught for over an hour. A couple of guys were using small pinfish/greenies and they had no luck at all. Around sundown one of the guys hooked big fish which broke the line...he never saw it. I caught a couple of large lizard fish which I tossed( sorry, Phishead) and lost a big ladyfish after it jumped twice. I used only a silver spoon and a pompano jig...the jig got all of the action. Used no bait. Noticed that there is a large elevated bridge being built that will replace the first one leading into the park area. Hope they keep the old span as a fishing pier. Anyone know anything about this? Also noted to my dismay that the lights on both piers were changed to those of yellow/orange color. Several months ago, there were white lights. When I walked the Gulf pier to check on fishing there (again, hardly any action), I had trouble seeing people there unless they had lights with them. Pier very dark...not sure if fish will be attracted at night with the weak lighting. I may write to parks department and cite safety (probably won't do any good). When I parked at the Gulf pier lot at 8pm, I saw a park ranger issuing tickets. She asked me if I had a pass...told her I have annual pass. She said she did not like giving out tickets. So be forewarned...you can get ticketed at night! On the positive side, the bathrooms are better lit and both tables on the Bay pier now have water for cleaning. I enjoyed the nice weather, saw a manatee cruise within 10 feet of me and heard two huge splashes in deeper water. Tarpon.... as one young lady saw the silvery fish.
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Post by shadowxmas on Oct 15, 2019 7:56:30 GMT -5
Tried some late afternoon/early evening (5-730pm) fishing. Tide was falling along with debris which normally is not good there. Fished the small (Bay Pier). Saw nothing caught for over an hour. A couple of guys were using small pinfish/greenies and they had no luck at all. Around sundown one of the guys hooked big fish which broke the line...he never saw it. I caught a couple of large lizard fish which I tossed( sorry, Phishead) and lost a big ladyfish after it jumped twice. I used only a silver spoon and a pompano jig...the jig got all of the action. Used no bait. Noticed that there is a large elevated bridge being built that will replace the first one leading into the park area. Hope they keep the old span as a fishing pier. Anyone know anything about this? Also noted to my dismay that the lights on both piers were changed to those of yellow/orange color. Several months ago, there were white lights. When I walked the Gulf pier to check on fishing there (again, hardly any action), I had trouble seeing people there unless they had lights with them. Pier very dark...not sure if fish will be attracted at night with the weak lighting. I may write to parks department and cite safety (probably won't do any good). When I parked at the Gulf pier lot at 8pm, I saw a park ranger issuing tickets. She asked me if I had a pass...told her I have annual pass. She said she did not like giving out tickets. So be forewarned...you can get ticketed at night! On the positive side, the bathrooms are better lit and both tables on the Bay pier now have water for cleaning. I enjoyed the nice weather, saw a manatee cruise within 10 feet of me and heard two huge splashes in deeper. Tarpon.... as one young lady saw the silvery fish. Several changes for sure. Light changes may be due to turtle nesting season but not sure. Re passes they may be doing that to stop people from camping out on/under the Piers and on the beaches. Glad you had a little action although no keepers. Re elevated bridge is that the one near The Bait Bucket? A higher bridge will cut back on bridge openings which will help reduce traffic backups.
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Post by Mackerelman on Oct 15, 2019 8:39:42 GMT -5
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Post by seabird on Oct 15, 2019 9:25:24 GMT -5
MM, Thanks for the articles on the bridge project.
The park pass is normally $5 and despite the fact that the pay station is closed in the evening, they require you to get a pass from the machine unless you display an annual pass. Many people assume parking is free if the toll gate is not staffed. The park as a whole is closed by 11 pm and everyone has to leave.
The light change appears to be permanent, although perhaps it favorably affects the turtle nesting season.
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Post by carlf on Oct 15, 2019 9:52:44 GMT -5
Yes, the lights are changed to yellow to reduce sea turtle hatchling impacts. Sea turtles dont see light very well in that yellow range of the spectrum so the hatchling wont orient towards lights of that color.
We bought an annual pass, it covers both Fort Desoto and Sand Key Parks. Its worth the money, IMO.
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Post by shadowxmas on Oct 15, 2019 15:06:33 GMT -5
Yes, the lights are changed to yellow to reduce sea turtle hatchling impacts. Sea turtles dont see light very well in that yellow range of the spectrum so the hatchling wont orient towards lights of that color. We bought an annual pass, it covers both Fort Desoto and Sand Key Parks. Its worth the money, IMO. The pass works for the Bellaire Causeway and boat ramp too.
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Post by tears143 on Oct 16, 2019 7:34:56 GMT -5
Yes, the lights are changed to yellow to reduce sea turtle hatchling impacts. Sea turtles dont see light very well in that yellow range of the spectrum so the hatchling wont orient towards lights of that color. We bought an annual pass, it covers both Fort Desoto and Sand Key Parks. Its worth the money, IMO. The pass works for the Bellaire Causeway and boat ramp too. if u get the boat ramp pass. it's an upgraded pass not the normal park pass.
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