It’s a beautiful Thursday on the Manatee River and the suns just coming up. It’s a little windy today. A little colder. It’s about seventy degrees, so uh, we’re going to see what happens. There’s going to be a few changes as this front rolls in, so we’re going to see how the snook and redfish cooperate. Really it’s up the air right now, and it will be nice to talk to you tomorrow to see how we did. 

Hopefully, it doesn’t change it too much, but the tides are going to be a little lower with this north wind. Uh, going to take some time for these incoming tides to come up, so we’re starting a little later today, and hopefully that will help. Probably start out in the deeper flats maybe for some trout and stuff like that. We’re just going to play it by ear and see how it goes this week. 

Good luck out there this weekend!

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans, call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

Captain Erik Stevens of FishLikeUs is slaying it on the inshore kayak scene this year! Catching one keeper gag grouper after another has the rest of us wondering how he’s doing it. If you missed their former video with the owner the Skyway Bait on the scene, you can catch a glimpse of him in this video full of fun shots.  To purchase an inshore kayak charter and have this experience, you can reach Captain Erik and crew at the link below.  We know we are looking forward to checking this one off our ‘rarely-done’ bucket list! 

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (941) 920-6813. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

As we near the end of hurricane season we’re still watching some active storms swirl the lower end of the Gulf.  Tropical depressions and increased intensity won’t effect us too much on this side, but it’s good measure to watch the radar closely and stay up-to-date on live weather reports. 

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

Bait is piling up in the bay and passes, and we’re receiving reports of Spanish Mackerel hitting almost everywhere.  

Trout seem to be making their way back into the area, and we’re glad to be catching them again. A gentle reminder to check FWC guidelines for updates on seasonal species regulations. You may sign up for notifications here. 

We’re also catching jacks, snapper, bluefish, redfish, and sheepshead with regularity. Captains are reporting tripletail, keeper-sized gag groupers, tarpon, and snook. Skyway Fishing Pier reports include tarpon, cobia, and Bonita! We are also beginning to see pompano and permit rolling in here and there, which leads us to believe it’s going to be a great winter full of fishing! 

We currently have live shrimp in all sizes, medium to large pinfish, and a variety of frozen bait, including squid, threadfins, sardines, mullet, sandfleas, Bonita, ladyfish, jacks, and several types of chum. We also carry several varieties of dried chum if that is your preference. 

This is your weekly fishing prediction and we’ll be back next week with more.  Please stop in and see us for daily updates and various tips/tricks to get you catching more fish! We’ll be here from 6-9, rain or shine, 365 days a year, and look forward to seeing you soon. 

-The Skyway Bait Team 

It looks like we’re going to have some good weather in the mornings these next couple of days, but once it gets past Noon, you’ll want to start watching for those storms to appear. It’s starting to get a little closer to the school season, so it’s time to get those kids out on the water and catch some fish! 

If you’re looking for something different, you can check out Mangrove Adventures, Florida. They can get your kids out on some paddle boards and trying something different out there. Just be careful of these pop-up storms that happen in the bay. 

Many fish are biting right now, including redfish, snook, trout, and even a few tarpon. Inshore fishing has been great, and you can catch just about everything. Offshore you’ve got to be careful and make sure you’re paying attention to the weather. 

Good luck out there this weekend, guys! 

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

Florida is known for pop-up storms. The forecast can predict great weather, and suddenly you’re caught in a deluge of water and lightning. It’s the rainy season, and it would be prudent to assure you don’t get caught in a hairy situation out there. To best avoid these types of scenarios: 

1.  Watch your radar. The radar on almost any application will tell you when storms are forming and whether they predict dissipation and a disappointment for anglers. Unfortunately, rain usually means lightening this time of year, so it would be wise to get off the water at the first sign of lightning or substantial winds. 
2. Watch the sky. Although we refer to them as pop-up storms, they don’t literally pop-up on you. They form, just like most clouds, and any attention to the sky will warn you that bad weather is on its way. 
3. Always remain prepared. Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity, and those who luck out of sticky situations are prepared in one way or another to handle them. Knowing your surroundings, the wind direction, tides, and ways to assure your vessel/passenger safety are all critical aspects of having a great time on the water – regardless of the season. 

At Fish Like Us, we spend a lot of time on the water. We pay even more attention to the weather and tides. They help us know when a good fish bite is coming and determine the best days to be on the water. 

To learn the tips and tricks to kayak fishing, please refer to our YouTube channel. We look forward to seeing you on the water! 

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (360) 797-3275. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

It’s snapper season, and whether you’re inshore or offshore, you’re going to get snapped! Ranging in size from a few inches to a few feet, these beautiful and tasty creatures are found almost anywhere this time of year. There are also several reports of red grouper, porgy’s, and vermillion out there. Fish your reefs, drop-offs, and bottoms to find fish this season. 

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

It’s the “pee-wee” season! This means the shrimp are spawning, leaving us with loads of baby shrimp to bait our hooks. When water gets warmer, shrimp also go deeper, so the amount of medium and large shrimp will reduce. Luckily, we’re still receiving a range of shrimp in the shop from pee-wee’s, to large and jumbo. Similarly to the rest of the year, you’ll want to get there early to ensure your bait. Although TONS of bait gets ordered – we don’t control the fish or how much comes in. Any angler knows that’s why it’s called fishing – not catching, after all.  

There are new faces in the bait shop, so stop in on off-hours to meet the new crew and gain added value through their fishing knowledge! 

In the instance that we are out of live bait, know there will be more at 6 am the following day. In the meantime, we have a wide variety of frozen and can help you find what you need to Catch More Fish! 

That’s all for this weeks weekend fishing prediction! We’ll be here from 6-9, rain or shine, 365 days a year, and look forward to seeing you soon. 

-The Skyway Bait Team 

We’re inside Skyway Bait today getting some supplies ready for the weekend. We have some funny weather Friday – maybe a little rain and wind. We’re heading out anyway, hoping it might blow over.  

The trout bite has been insane. We’re catching them on almost every cast! Early in the morning, the deep flats with four to five feet of water are bringing them and the snook in. Redfish have been hanging out in the bushes. Rains seem to push them in a bit, but they’re there. 

It’s Tarpon season, so now’s a good time to look for some Tarpon. We hope you get a chance to get out there this weekend and Catch More Fish! 

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

Windy conditions call for wind shadows. The beauty of kayak fishing is that most vessels can fish the shallow areas close to shore. If you have a pedal-driven kayak, you’ll be able to troll the mangrove banks for all those beautiful fish just a few feet away. And if you happen to have an anchor, you can hang out there all day. 

The trout, snook, and redfish are getting quite large this season, and we’re happy to see them out there along with the tarpon, shark, snapper, sheepshead, and flounder!  

When heading out kayak fishing, remember to tell a friend where you’re going and approximately what time you’ll be back. It’s good fashion to also put a GPS on board and subscribe to weather sites that will inform you of things like:

• Wind speed
• Wind direction
• Approaching storms

May your fish be mighty, and your water be clean! 

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (360) 797-3275. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

THE BITE IS HOT!!! 

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

While we continue to receive small, medium, large, and even some jumbo shrimp, we are starting to receive pinfish! The change in bait marks the end of spring and the beginning of summer for anglers, and the bite is ON! 

As regulations have decreased, and businesses re-open their doors, state and county parks have also begun to let people back in. The Skyway Fishing Pier is open at limited capacity, and people are fishing Emerson Point and Robinson’s Preserve again.  

The Manatee River is still producing beautiful sheepshead, and folks seem to be catching a myriad of species in those waters. 

We have new faces at the bait shop and look forward to acquainting ourselves with you and your fishing buddies. Please check-in with us weekly for updates on closures, fishing reports, and all the tools you need to catch more fish! 

We’ll be here from 6-9, rain or shine, 365 days a year, and look forward to seeing you soon. 

-The Skyway Bait Team 

We’re getting out here on a beautiful Friday morning, and it looks like the weather this weekend should be great! There should be plenty of snook biting on those nice little morning tides. If you’re into targeting tarpon, there should be a Tarpon bite as well. Trout are abundant around four to five feet near sand bars or potholes, and you can pretty much catch as many as you want.  

We hope you get a chance to get out there this weekend and Catch More Fish! 

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

As the weather warms up, the winds will die down this weekend, making the water a kayakers paradise.  

An abundance of spring species traveling through the bay includes tarpon, Spanish mackerel, trout, large snook and redfish, pompano, jack crevalle, sharks, mangrove snapper, flounder, grouper, and catfish. It’s essential to be prepared, which is why we suggest knowing a bit about your local area and the species for the season. You can find these details on regulatory sites as well as local educational sites. 

For those of you heading out this weekend, remember to bring sunscreen, water, maybe a snack, a PFD, some pliers or hook removing device, a knife or pair of scissors, and a net if you have one. These preparations will assist you in almost anything you catch and will make great stories for such perfect kayak fishing conditions! 

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (360) 797-3275. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

Species currently being reported are: 

• Grouper
• Tuna
• Kingfish
• Snapper
• Sailfish 

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

As the weather heats up, so does the fishing, and we’d like to thank the courageous Skyway Bait crew for their patience, diligence, and fearlessness as they worked their regular schedules this past month. We’d also like to thank YOU! 

We know it may have been challenging to adapt to new conditions in your fishing routine and are proud of you for sharing the time and resources necessary for your community to join you. We all need fishing for our mental, physical, and spiritual sanity. Although it may look slightly different than it did before, it’s still here, and we’re still allowed to go. For that, we can be grateful.  

So now that fishing remains open and the boat ramps have been re-opened, we are offering a six-month or one-year membership card that will earn you a discount every time you spend a minimal amount! This will be significant cost savings for those regular anglers out there who know, amidst all the chaos, that they want to keep fishing. For those of you just getting started again – we recommend you join us. Consider it a quarantine resolution to get out there and catch more fish! 

We’ll be here from 6-9, rain or shine, 365 days a year, and look forward to seeing you soon. 

-The Skyway Bait Team 

We’ve got some funny weather rolling out there. Saturday looks like a 50% chance of rain, so I’m sure we’ll see some rain at some point. We’ll see how it comes. We may have to wait it out at a couple of points and then get back out there when it ends like we did last weekend. It will bump down Sunday, hopefully, and we’ll be able to get out there and get a bump as it ends. 

This time of year, you can pretty much go out there and target what you want to with some good success. Tarpon are biting right now along with snook and redfish everywhere. Trout have been great as well. 

Good luck this weekend, guys. We hope you have a chance to get out there and catch some fish! 

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

At some point, you realize there’s never bad weather, only bad gear. A good rain jacket, self-bailing kayaks, and radar can assist in getting you on the water for the bite between storms. 

Watch your radar for rain, wind, and lightning. It’s okay to fish in the rain, and most boats can handle some wind – but the lightning is no joke. People are struck on the beaches every year, and sitting in the water with a metal rod in your hand could be just the challenge that storm is looking for. 

Some apps give real-time lightning accounts, but the best way to know if there’s lightning nearby is thunder. If you can hear thunder, it’s close enough to strike – and time to get off the water.  

Storms move fast here in Tampa Bay. This can be great news because you know you’ll be out there again soon. It can also leave you caught in a storm with little time to prepare.  

If you end up in the middle of our famous “pop-up” storms this time of year, seek shore and shelter until you can safely paddle home. The first rule of boater safety is to tell somewhen where you’re going and how long you’ll be out there, so they know when to expect you back. If you can communicate, give them a call, so they’re not worried and enjoy the view. It shouldn’t last too long. 

Stay safe out there, everyone, and we’ll see you on the water! 

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (360) 797-3275. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

Species currently being reported are: 

• Grouper
• Tuna
• Kingfish
• Snapper
• Sailfish

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

You wouldn’t think we’d run out of shrimp on such a weather-laden week, but we did it again! This seems like a bad report as you’re walking through the door and headed out fishing, but we’d like to change your mind. This means people are headed out fishing! And that’s a really good thing for many reasons. 

1. Fishing is healthy. You get a chance to get out of the house, breathe fresh air, and take in a little sunshine on your skin. These types of changes can increase your immune system, and in turn, your health. 
2. Fishing is active. And activity not only helps you remain healthy, but it usually involves a community. Out there on the water, we’re reminded that other people exist and that we have a tribe. Working toward a common goal is one thing we all have in common, and the action required to make it happen is a bonus. 
3. Fishing is a catalyst for all scenarios of life. Learning how to inspire courage, take action, and follow-through will not only improve your fishing game – but your life. 

We’re ramping up never to have to tell you, “We’re out of live bait,” again. In the meantime, we encourage you to go fishing and try some of our artificial baits and frozen bait options in these instances. They will catch fish, improve your skill sets, and propel your life. 

In the instance that you don’t know how to use lures and frozen bait, we highly suggest you call the Captain’s above and book a charter. Kayak fishing often involves lures for trolling, and there is no shortage of frozen bait on Griffin Deans’ boat. 

Catch more fish!  

-The Skyway Bait Team 

We’re bringing you our report from Skyway Bait & Tackle this week to eliminate any confusion about where are reports are being taken. We are at ‘Skyway Bait & Tackle’ off of US-19 North, NOT the Skyway Fishing Pier. It’s about two miles south of the Skyway bridge in a blue and orange building off the side of the road. We are open and will remain open as long as we possibly can! 

The fishing should be good this weekend with nice incoming tides in the morning and decent weather. Saturday and Sunday are both looking nice weather-wise.  

We’re seeing lots of snook and redfish rolling around in addition to some Tarpon. There should be a lot more coming in around Egmont and the beaches. Another month or so, and the fish should be firing like crazy! 

Good luck, guys. We hope you can get out there and do some fishing and catch some big ones this weekend! 

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

There isn’t anything more fun than hooking into a big fish on a small vessel. Your heart pumps, your eyes widen, your biceps curl, and you exclaim as you realize the fish on the end of your line is a real competitor willing to battle you into exhaustion.  

These are the moment’s kayak anglers live for. Being close to the water, far from shore, and free of all the chaos brings relief. 

If you want to get out on a kayak but don’t have a boat, or prefer to have a guide – we have seventeen-foot vessels with eight-plus feet of distance between passengers and would be honored to take you out. Fishing relieves stress, instills some sense of normalcy, and reminds us just how delicate the little moments are. Fish like that, and fish like us! 

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (360) 797-3275. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

Tarpon, Cobia, Snapper, Grouper, and African Pompano. Oh my! 

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

We are continuing our rod and reel sale to keep everyone out there fishing. If your gear is old, or you’re considering fishing for the first time this year, we aim to make it easy for you to get on the water. With the right gear, line, and some live bait, we can get you, and a family or friend started for a simple price right near the water’s edge.  

Here at Skyway Bait & Tackle, our goal is to help you Catch More Fish! If you have questions about closures, species, season, regulation, or fishing, in general, our friendly and helpful staff is here to help. Give us a call, or better yet, stop in and see us! We always enjoy a familiar face and building community around the things we love – like fishing. 

Hope to see you soon! 

-The Skyway Bait Team 

We’ve been spending some quality time on the water lately catching some monster snook and redfish! 

The full moon has brought some exceptionally high tides in the mornings with maximum ebbs at two and a half feet or so. This is pushing the fish way back into the bushes, but if you’ve got enough chum, you can bring them out. 

The kingfish bite off the beach has been great. It may be a bit windy this weekend, but they’re there.  

Good luck guys. We hope you can get out there and do some fishing and catch some big ones this weekend! 

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

The predators are in, and kayakers are elated to be fighting them! Big sharks, tarpon, cobia, and kingfish are roaming our waters, and a little practice using your drag and the weight of your boat will assure fantastic sleigh rides and rewarding landings.  

There’s no better place to self-quarantine during this craziness than on the water in your kayak. Kayak fishing can be a solo sport or group activity, and either way, you can assure you’ll forget about life’s problems while you’re on the water.  

If you’re interested in going kayak fishing but don’t own a kayak, please call us. We have pedal-driven, tandem kayaks with seats eight feet apart. We can social distance while fighting big fish and getting you on the water for a change! 

Either way, we hope you get out there and enjoy the beauty nature has to offer during the strangest of times.  

Have courage. We believe in you. Stay safe, everyone! 

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (360) 797-3275. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

Everything from grouper to cobia to permit, African pompano, blackfin tuna, kingfish, and yellowtail snapper are being reported offshore. It’s a mixed bag, and as Spring comes into fashion, the fish are coming with it. Good luck out there! 

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

These have been trying and uncertain times for us all, and we are faring this weather the best we can. Beach closures, boat ramp closures, curfews, and state-wide quarantine regulation has left everyone a little unsure of what to do with themselves. We recommend you go fishing. 

Fishing is still open, and even though you may have to navigate the challenges of getting to the water, that doesn’t mean it won’t be worth your while. On the water, life returns to normal, and the fish pay no mind to our politics or policies. They’re still running, biting, and rewarding anglers throughout the bay as we enter the best fishing season of the year. 

As a bait shop, and thankfully, an essential business, we plan to stay open as long as we can. That ultimately depends upon our customers and the amount of activity we receive. We are pushing boundaries by remaining open 6 am – 9 pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. That is our goal – rain or shine. 

We are grateful for those of you who visit us daily, those who stumble upon us, those who travel long distances to get here, and those who are maybe just visiting for the first time. We honor those standing in lines allowing each customer their ‘socially distanced’ time inside, and we are most grateful for our courageous and warrior-like staff who have looked this thing in the eye and said, “What can we get you?”  

We are proud to be anglers, to be part of your community, to service those who love to fish and to do what we can to get you out there. 

Catch More Fish! 

Sincerely,

-Your Skyway Bait & Tackle Team 

Fishing is one of the activities that has been approved to remain open, and we are OPEN! We are grateful for this opportunity because it’s one of the few things that makes sense right now. Get outside, walk, bike, play with the kids, or go fishing and maintain some sense of sanity. 

We’ve had a bit of a change in the bite due to the small cold front that rolled in. We’re hoping we can get a bit better bite this weekend as it starts to heat back up. 

The bait has disappeared on us with this front, but it should move back in this weekend with the warmer temperatures, and we should get back to where we’re used to be this time of year. 

Good luck, everybody. We hope you can get out there and do some fishing and catch some big ones this weekend! 

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

When the bait goes deep, it’s time to troll. And there’s no better experience than trolling on a Hobie® pedal-driven kayak. With your legs in motion and your hands on your rod, a steady, simple kick will have you floating the water at the perfect speed. 

When trolling, we like to use artificial baits and lures, many of which you can find at Skyway Bait & Tackle. Feel free to ask our friendly and diverse staff for suggestions on what they may use or refer to our website’s product page for recommendations. 

May your fish be mighty, and your water be clean! 

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (360) 797-3275. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

Kingfish are sounding the alarms from Egmont Channel to Venice! Sightings of fish up to sixty pounds are being reported, which makes any offshore experience you can grasp this time of year worth it! 

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

Fishing has been approved as essential business, and we are not only grateful but thankful for the opportunity to continue serving our community. 

Skyway Bait & Tackle has been here for decades, and the thought of having to shut our doors during such a significant time of need took our breath away. We have many loyal customers who use fishing as a source of food, respite, and health. Without fishing, our world goes gray. With it, we can find true health by interacting with nature, soaking in a little vitamin D, breathing fresh air, and finding some sense of routine in an otherwise upside-down world. 

Please practice social-distancing by patiently waiting your turn inside the shop and adhering to the six-foot rules on land (or fifty-foot rules by water).  

We appreciate each and every one of you who have come into the shop to purchase bait or other items, and we plan on remaining here for your fishing needs as long as we possibly can! 

With honor,

-The Skyway Bait Team 

We’re bringing you our report from inside the shop this week, where all the action happens to keep your shrimp lively and bait-worthy! 

We’re open for business, and everyone we know fishing wise is still open. Matt Bauer at 941-BAIT is still on the river slinging bait, and Slot Machine Fishing Charters is still running. 

They closed some boat ramps down, but people are still getting out there and fishing, and there should be a nice bite this weekend. We’ve got some nice incoming tides int he morning leading up to some nice high tides with snook and redfish around. Kingfish and Cobia are coming in, and Will Osborn caught a sailfish not too far off the beach yesterday! 

The fishing’s been great, and hopefully, you guys can get out there and catch a fish this weekend! 

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

When the boat ramps close – grab your kayak! Kayaks are the perfect vessels for slipping right in between the mangroves to access water where others cannot. Walk or hand-cart your boat to the water’s edge and set sail into these beautiful blue waters where life can be normal again for a few hours. 

If you’re searching for a kayak to utilize, you can always rent kayaks, purchase them from nearby dealers, or charter a kayak guide! We have vessels that will take you out for a day sans paying, storing, and moving a boat of your own. Even better still, we provide bait and gear, which means all you have to do is show up! 

For those of you who have your own boats and are wondering where to launch, Bishop Harbor has been barricaded off, but there should be plenty of access to great kayaking waters all around Terra Ceia Bay and the Skyway.  

Good luck out there, stay safe, and we’ll look forward to seeing you on the water! 

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (360) 797-3275. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

This weeks post deserves a bullet-list: 

• Blackfin tuna
• Permit
• Tripletail
• Gag Grouper
• Red Grouper
• Amberjack

Need we say more? 

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

We are still open and providing bait, tackle, gear, food, drink, and friendly service! The fishing is hot, even though the economy is not, and now’s your time to do something ‘normal’ by going fishing! 

Because of some closures and regulatory restrictions, you’ll have to get creative on where to go and what to fish for. We have many suggestions on just how to do this and where to go in your area. What we don’t know, we’re willing to find out to help our fellow anglers succeed in their mission.  

Shrimp is the magic bait this time of season, so while you’re awaiting pinfish and dreaming of beach fishing again, grab some live shrimp at the shop and get out there. Anywhere. Side of the road, tucked in the mangroves, your neighbor’s dock, under a bridge, or on a boat. We promise you won’t regret it. 

-The Skyway Bait Team 

Just getting on the water right now, and trying to catch some fish today. I know a lot of crazy things are going on in the world right now, but we’re still open, Skyway Bait is still open, and all my buddies are still open. We’re still out here, guys…

Just talked to Matt Bauer at 941-BAIT, and he’s still open and running. 

Not much to do right now in the world, so it’s a good thing to get out and clear the mind and go fishing. It’s tough times, but everyone needs to keep a positive attitude. We’ll get through this. 

We hope you have a chance to get out there and catch some fish this weekend! 

-Capt. Griffin Deans

To book an inshore fishing charter with Captain Griffin Deans call (941) 920-1862 or visit Slotmachinefishingcharters.com. 

INSHORE KAYAKERS 

When life hands you lemons, do you make lemonade?  

We have found it helpful in life to take what knowledge we’re given of our present moment – and act. Action is the key to making it through the tough times because talking, although helpful, doesn’t set any ripples in motion.  

Although these are interesting times and it’s tough to determine how or where to spend that action – it’s never a bad idea to spend it on the water fishing. This is one reason we teach fishing for a living. It’s a catalyst for life and all the challenges we face surviving in this world. The bonus is, there’s no coronavirus out here. 

The sun’s rays will kill most viruses and bacteria within a couple of hours. Without a host, they won’t survive eighty plus degrees at all! We know this because what once was a dirty, stinky fish cooler can still be used a few hours after leaving it in the sun. Sure it may still have stains on it – but that’s just a sign that you go fishing. Those coolers with cobwebs, we suggest you use them and GO FISHING. It’s a great conference room, meditation room, or self-quarantine space when you need it. And the sun will be there warming, sanitizing, and giving you the vitamin D you deserve. 

May your fish be mighty, and your water be clean!  

To book an inshore kayak charter with Captain Erik, visit FishLikeUs.com or call (360) 797-3275. 

OFFSHORE REPORTS

Red Grouper are back, and Blackfin Tuna are on fire. Offshore reports are also coming in with hogs, permits, and amberjack.  

BAIT SHOP TIPS, TALES, & SALES! 

We’re not sure what to say about a lot of things, but we do have one suggestion: go fishing.  

We’re as passionate as we’ve ever been about the sport of fishing – if not more. When life gets you down, you go fishing. When life picks you up, you go fishing. When life hands you lemons, you GO FISHING and use those lemons to marinate that meat!  

We have a full, healthy crew here at the shop ready to get you out there fishing. Please don’t waste this opportunity to provide yourself health.   

We look forward to seeing you and helping you Catch More Fish! 

-The Skyway Bait Team