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Post by Look'n4Tuna on Dec 28, 2008 21:53:13 GMT -5
Going out Wed morn early about sunup, taking the kids out to see what we can bring in. Then I'll be out Fri nite with a visiting friend and my son to see if we can conjure some shark or whatever else will bite. Haven't seen much in the way of reports over the holidays, so I'm not sure what to expect. Anyone know if there are any baitfish left around? And can anyone tell me if the bathrooms are fixed on the SSP or are they still using Porta Potties? Any suggestions for what to fish for would be greatly appreciated. The changing weather seems to have everything all mixed up.
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ripnlips
Weekend Warrior
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 374
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Post by ripnlips on Dec 29, 2008 12:25:03 GMT -5
gonna try to make it out new years day. we were out on sunday and we saw lots of big threadfins around. they were easy to cast net and easy to sabiki. you can expect big crowds this weekend. lots of folks during the holidays.
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Post by goindeep on Dec 29, 2008 14:50:13 GMT -5
If I get Friday off (and I might) Ill be there all day. Finally back to 2 days off a week so Ill be able to get back to fishin. Havent been since November I think.
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Post by goindeep on Dec 29, 2008 14:50:33 GMT -5
Hey Mario, you know were all waiting for a report and pics!!!!!!!!
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Post by Look'n4Tuna on Dec 30, 2008 0:06:48 GMT -5
Last minute change... guess I'll be heading out tomorrow morning (Tuesday) hope to be there around sunup.... Looking to se if maybe we can't catch a few grouper. Suppose I'll be heading to the SSP. If your out and see us, stop and say hey!
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Post by fishonfishoff on Dec 30, 2008 5:26:33 GMT -5
In for Wed and Fri but out for Thursday.
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ripnlips
Weekend Warrior
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 374
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Post by ripnlips on Dec 30, 2008 16:39:58 GMT -5
let us know how you do on wednesday.
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Post by Look'n4Tuna on Dec 30, 2008 17:26:54 GMT -5
I went out this morning (SSP), and it was a beautiful morning. Stopped in at the bait shop and he told us that the flounder were all over, grouper were hitting well and that that snapper bite was outstanding at the 93 marker gulf side. he also said that right there by the bait house hadn't been producing very well. So we moved a little further towards the beginning of the pier (marker 108 to be exact) and setup shop. Couldn't find bait to save my life. As the sun came up I sabikied up a few pinfish and threw them on the lines. as I soaked them I threw my cast net for awhile, but came up with exactly ZERO.
About 8:30 it was like someone flipped a switch. There were schools of mini fish everywhere, so I took my sabiki and threw it right in the middle of them and let it sink below them and BAM there they were Greenbacks anywhere from 4 to 9 inches, biggest greenbacks I have ever seen. Also pulled up a load of blue runners and some other white bait that I have yet to learn the proper names for. So I switched out the small pinfish that I had on my line (all I could find was small pinfish) for some of the huge greenbacks.
Unfortunately I was splitting my time between teaching the relative from out of state what little I know about pier fishing, and working my sabiki rig. Meaning I wasn't tending to my grouper rigs as I should. I would see the rod take a dive, and by the time I got to it, he was all happy back in his hole. This happened to me 7 times.
I caught one 12" mack that hammered my sabiki and I was amazed it didn't cut off my hook. I almost lost two rods; one from leaving a rod leaning up on the rail with an 8" greenback attached to the other end when "Mr Big" decided he was going to keep it. and one when I was using a sabiki and a Pelican came out from under the pier and hit my line.
Anyway, the score was 1 12" mack, about 6-8 short snapper, Zero grouper (rocked about a dozen times between the two of us) and close to 50-60 greenbacks whitebait and bluerunners. I'm not counting the loads of small pinfish that I threw back. So although it wasn't a keeper day, it definitely was interesting. Wish I had more time to focus on the grouper, I think I could have done a little better.
I'm looking at Friday morning, but I'm not sure about the weather forecast right now, and I would be driving down with the kids, so we'll see what happens. I hope this helps some of you, but I will say the bait comes out a little later in the morning, but it is definitely there.
Good luck to all and let us know how you do!!
Chris
P.S. Almost forgot, came close to losing a rod to a school of rays passing by. And got to talk to a pair of cute girls emptying the used monofiliment tubes
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Post by goindeep on Dec 31, 2008 13:01:16 GMT -5
 Excellent detailed report. Ive never seen greenbacks that big. Seems like the end of the pier has had alot of pressure since the east side closing, so I was thinking about trying closer to shore myself. When grouper fishing at the pier, if youre not holding your rod, chances are youre gonna get rocked up most of the time. Theres just too much structure around to give them an inch. The weather Friday looks good to me, highs in the low 70s, with a 20%ish chance of rain. Heres a detailed hour by hour forecast for St Pete: www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=33701&hourly=1&yday=1&weekday=Friday  |
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Post by goredwings on Jan 1, 2009 15:45:13 GMT -5
What do you guys think will be the fish to target Friday and what bait has been hot? I think I'll be able to get out there Friday Morning so I want to be ready.
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Post by dlkpalmetto on Jan 1, 2009 17:04:04 GMT -5
hey all happy new years and lets hope for good fishing, I ended the year on the flats just before the toll booth on south side on wedn, I nice blue18- 20 and one real nice trout 20- 22 inch range .....gave the blue away, relesed the trout real gentle like n told him to stick around for this weekend lol all in all great way to end the year.....still trying to catch sum convicts like the "J" man.. but to no avail yet .......tight lines ....kip
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Post by Look'n4Tuna on Jan 1, 2009 18:36:48 GMT -5
We are heading out, probably get there around sunrise. Probably go to the SSP. Will be in a white town and country minivan. I have some of the bait we caught on Tues that I brought home a froze that I'll probably start with, until I can sabiki some live ones. I'll probably start looking for grouper and throw some closer for the kids and see what misc fish they can catch. Tomorrow is a crap shoot for me. When I take the kids, I focus less on my goals and more on them catching something. Anyway, If your there, stop in and say hi!!
Tight lines to all!!
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Post by fishonfishoff on Jan 1, 2009 19:33:49 GMT -5
Will be at the SSP hopefully before sunrise. Red Jeep and in the alley somewhere. Heard a rumor of Boneheads around. Watch the board for updates.
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Post by Look'n4Tuna on Jan 1, 2009 23:15:12 GMT -5
Yep, I'll be there, but I wont be out that far. Having 4 kids with me I'm not going out "all the way" with the professionals. But If you spot the White minivan, stop and introduce youself. It would be nice to talk with someone that actually knows what's going on.
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Post by BigDawg71 on Jan 2, 2009 13:44:52 GMT -5
The kids are trying to talk me into going again tonight and being the big softie that I am I will probably give in. Probably get there between 7 and 8 pm and catch the outgoing tide. Probably give the SSP a shot tonight to alleviate some of the crowd. Look for the red/burgandy altima with the pinellas park t-bird stickers.
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