Skyway Bait and Tackle

Welcome to the weekend fishing prediction with Captain Griffin Deans of Slot Machine Fishing Charters and Skyway Bait & Tackle!  

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