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Post by jman46151 on Feb 15, 2023 9:54:32 GMT -5
Anybody on here ever fish down in Tampa/St Pete? I'm headed down for a work trip first weekend of March and plan on bringing my poles. I don't think I will do a charter($$$) but will probably hit a few piers. I may rent a boat to get away from the crowds, I found a site that seems to be a VRBO for boats.
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Post by steiny on Feb 16, 2023 8:43:16 GMT -5
Rinse them off every day after fishing or salt water will eat them up.
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Post by marshallco on Feb 16, 2023 10:31:11 GMT -5
We go a little south of that, closer to Ft. Myers/Naples, so I can't help you much with specific spots. I don't know that it matters much, as we do OK on most bridges, break walls, piers, even the beach. Live shrimp seem to be the ticket for us.
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Post by duff on Feb 16, 2023 12:44:30 GMT -5
Beach or piers just bring your normal catfish rods/reels for bottom fishing and a mid weight spinning for casting.
I like to catch my bait so either cut bait, sand fleas or bust up snails. Spoons for casting and sabiki rigs for bait.
I have caught snook, redfish, sheepshead, pompano, shark, rays and whiting. But always without fail my 1st day I will catch those dang catfish...
If eating the rays are good as well as the catfish despite what others say. Never ate the reddish or snook but only because they were too big for the slot
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Post by marshallco on Feb 16, 2023 15:28:30 GMT -5
Beach or piers just bring your normal catfish rods/reels for bottom fishing and a mid weight spinning for casting. I like to catch my bait so either cut bait, sand fleas or bust up snails. Spoons for casting and sabiki rigs for bait. I have caught snook, redfish, sheepshead, pompano, shark, rays and whiting. But always without fail my 1st day I will catch those dang catfish... If eating the rays are good as well as the catfish despite what others say. Never ate the reddish or snook but only because they were too big for the slot Those catfish have a special kind of slime don't they. No matter how good you think you wiped it off, it always turns up on a sleve, sock, hair or somewhere else to remind you.... |
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Post by jman46151 on Feb 16, 2023 16:46:11 GMT -5
I've fished off of piers before, just not in Tampa. I'm starting to really lean towards renting a boat for a couple of hours and hitting the bridges.
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Post by schall53 on Feb 16, 2023 20:12:39 GMT -5
Be careful of the saltwater catfish. They carry the same toxins that stingrays have. I spent an afternoon in the ER. Got stuck in the hand and in less than a half hour my arm was numb up to my shoulder. If they do get you, soak your hand in hot water as hot as you can stand. The heat will neutralize the toxins. That lesson cost me $1900.00 in the form the hospital bill. The catfish are quite tasty though. 😁
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Post by duff on Feb 16, 2023 21:04:15 GMT -5
Be careful of the saltwater catfish. They carry the same toxins that stingrays have. I spent an afternoon in the ER. Got stuck in the hand and in less than a half hour my arm was numb up to my shoulder. If they do get you, soak your hand in hot water as hot as you can stand. The heat will neutralize the toxins. That lesson cost me $1900.00 in the form the hospital bill. The catfish are quite tasty though. 😁 My wife got stung by a ray several yrs ago. We would boil a pot of water and soak her foot. It would knock the pain down. She is tough and was in severe pain. Our son offered to pee on her foot. He was probably 7 or 8 and had heard the cure for a jelly fish sting. Lol at least we got to laugh at that. |
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Post by marshallco on Feb 16, 2023 22:46:30 GMT -5
I guess I’ve been lucky, I’ve been poked by a catfish, but didn’t really do anything. Kinda like a bee sting.
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Post by esshup on Feb 16, 2023 23:47:35 GMT -5
I guess I’ve been lucky, I’ve been poked by a catfish, but didn’t really do anything. Kinda like a bee sting. Salt water or fresh water? |
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Post by marshallco on Feb 17, 2023 8:38:23 GMT -5
The salt water variety.
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