Got skunked today at the SSP

[justfishin]

Went to the South pier today from 9 am-2:30 pm.  Fishing for macs & anything else besides pin  fish that would bite. Was using several different size Clark spoons for macs and cut bait (from a previous outing) for anything that might be down there. I did not get a single bite or catch anything the whole time. Quite a few people there fishing and did not see anybody catch anything. Did not see FWC or bird people. Did talk to the gentleman emptying the trash cans and he said he has not seen anyone catching any fish today . I tried 4 different spots nothing. Not complaining, as it was a beautiful day to be outside. Hoping to go out again next week, but I think the local schools , at least in Hillsborough county will be on spring break, so it might be crowded out there. Tightlines  

[fishfinderbill]

Haven't fished SSP since last June and the report you gave could have been written then. I feel sorry for the snow birds who have come down here to fish. First being told they can't fish without the "Bird Certificate" and then no fish to be caught on top of that!!

[fishsci]

Thanks for posting even if you caught nothing. There have been no reports or postings for 4 weeks, and I am sure that others are also wondering if any fish are being caught. I did see a report on Skyway Misfits showing a nice catch of sheepshead a day or so ago.

Keep on keeping on!

[Captain John]

Water temperature 61 degrees.

I think Still too cold 🥶

Thanks for taking the time to try and for posting.

Hopefully soon 🙏

[fishtailz]

I almost caught a fish last week. Pathetic.

[inoeatfish]

I’m counting down the days as soon as the water temp gets warmer. The weather looks beautiful this next two weeks. You’ll definitely get a report from me. I was planning a trip this Thursday but I think I’m going to pass for the March 10th week.

[cabowabo]

Well take it for what its worth because weather changes LOL

Looking at the the 10day- we got warm weather for the foreseeable future.

We stay in the high 70s until the weekend-early next week and have south winds during the night keeping the temps up.... there will be some small macs around.

Ive been trout fishing for awhile now and the rain minnows/glass minnows w.e. you want to refer to them as are commonly found on each flat i visit.

For macs i would start with using either a #12 or #14 sabiki or a homemade dropper loop rig with 40lb mono and 2-3 white crappie jigs. If a mac is around and feeding those two small presentations will entice fish early on. Probably a bunch of small fish w no meat on them

[carlf]

Reports from the FB page indicates macs were caught yesterday. And at Desoto.
Contacts back on the northern Gulf report limits of macs being caught 3 miles offshore.
Seems like things are ready to bust loose.
Might head to Desoto Sunday.

[conureman]

Seems it's gonna rain this weekend and the skyway will be closed on Sunday for an event. I may head out next Saturday but only if weather permits.

[justfishin]

Feb 27, 2024 14:47:05 GMT -5 Captain John said:

Water temperature 61 degrees.

I think Still too cold 🥶

Thanks for taking the time to try and for posting.

Hopefully soon 🙏

I read on  here last week that 68 degrees is the magic temp. When that hits, the macs start rolling in. With this warm weather this week, maybe next week water temp will be in high 60's.

[carlf]

This mornings water temps:
Buoy offshore of the mouth of the bay ( Station 42098 ): 65.8
St. Pete Pier: 68.9
Old Port Tampa: 74.3
www.ndbc.noaa.gov/obs.shtml

[seabird]

I would think the macs should be there very soon. Gulf water temperature 67F.

[fishsci]

Yes, the conditons are right for Spanish mackerel to arrive very soon. The Tampa Bay temperatures are getting favorable. More importantly, the Gulf sea surface temperatures are reaching the point at which they are warm enough to allow mackerel to start their annual northward migration from around the Tortugas to the upper Gulf. It is not my a simply matter of Tampa Bay warming enough over a few days of warm weather. The coastal water temperatures have to warm enough to allow mackerels (Spanish and king) move northward. Looking at the SST sites,it looks like we are just there. Given the weather forecast for warm weather over the next 10 days, it is a good bet that the macks will be here in force any day now.

[inoeatfish]

From Skyway Misfits Skyway Facebook page, per Mashal Almetole, “ Today, Saturday morning all the way to afternoon. Good time.🔥🔥🔥🔥🎣🔥🎣🎣❤️❤️

[inoeatfish]

Wanna update this but the Mac’s were eating as early as Feb 27th. Around noon on the SsP. Limited out using pompano jig. I guess they didn’t mind the colder waters.