Weekend Fishing Report 1 8

 Foggy Mornings & Fire Bites

If you’ve been looking for a #baitshopnearme, you already know the fog has been thick enough to eat this week. Captain Griffin from Slot Machine Fishing Charters is seeing 65-degree mornings with visibility dropping to near zero in the channels. The good news? The fishing is just as thick as the fog. Whether you’re hitting the Sunshine Skyway Piers, running nearshore, or working the flats from Tampa to Sarasota, the winter bite is officially wide open.

Stop by Skyway Bait & Tackle in Palmetto before you head out. We have the largest selection of frozen bait in the state, plus all the live shrimp you’ll need to handle this weekend’s forecast.

Skyway Fishing Pier Report

The “convicts” have taken over the pilings! We are in the heart of sheepshead season at the Skyway. These fish are stacked on the structure, and they aren’t small. Along with the sheepies, the silver trout and flounder are moving through the deeper cuts around the pier.

• How to catch them: You need to be right against the concrete. Use a small #1 circle hook and just enough weight to keep your bait vertical.

• What they’re hitting: Our live shrimp are the top producer, but if the pinfish are stealing your bait, grab a bag of our frozen sand fleas.

• Where to find us: We are the top-rated #fishingbaitshopnearme for pier anglers, located right at the foot of the bridge.

Nearshore & Shipping Channel Report (Out to 50 Miles)

Captain Griffin reports that once the fog lifts around 10:30 AM, the nearshore waters are beautiful. The hogfish bite is the star of the show right now in 40 to 70 feet of water. We’re also seeing a massive influx of mangrove snapper, grunts, and lane snapper.

• How to catch them: Use light fluorocarbon (20-25lb) and a knocker rig. If you’re out near the shipping channels, look for the “Swiss cheese” bottom rather than high-relief ledges.

• What they’re hitting: It is officially shrimp season. Most guys are heading out with 10-15 dozen live shrimp. If you want to mix it up, we have frozen blanched sand fleas and frozen squid that these hogfish can’t resist.

• Pro Tip: As the #fishbaitshopnearme with the biggest freezer in Florida, we recommend grabbing a few blocks of chum to get the snapper fired up behind the boat.

The Flats Report (Tampa Bay to Sarasota Bay)

The flats are seeing unseasonably warm afternoons, pushing water temps into the high 60s. Redfish and black drum are schooling up in the potholes during the low tides. On the deeper grass edges, the winter gator trout are active and hungry.

• How to catch them: Stealth is everything in this clear winter water. Long casts are required. Target the dark mud bottoms or oyster bars that soak up the afternoon sun.

• What they’re hitting: Nothing beats a live shrimp under a popping cork on the flats. If you’re looking for #livebaitnearme, we keep our tanks stocked all weekend.

• The “Largest Frozen Selection” Advantage: For the big reds sitting in the back of the bayous, try a piece of our frozen mullet or ladyfish—the scent is irresistible in cooler water.

Weekend Q&A with Skyway Bait & Tackle

Q: Is there any specific safety advice for this weekend? A: As Captain Griffin mentioned, the morning fog is “sketchy” right now. If you don’t have radar, stay out of the main shipping channels until it lifts (usually between 10 AM and 11 AM). There are a lot of boats moving fast in low visibility—play it safe!

Q: Why should I choose Skyway Bait & Tackle over other #baitshops? A: We aren’t just a #baitplacesnearme; we are a destination. We carry the state’s largest variety of frozen baits—from stingrays and threadfins to specialized baits like sand fleas and Spanish sardines—ensuring that no matter where you’re fishing, we have the fuel for your cooler.

Q: What is the best “all-around” bait for someone who isn’t sure where they’re fishing yet? A: Live shrimp. It catches everything from the pier to the 50-mile reefs. Grab a few dozen live ones and a backup box of frozen squid from our shop, and you’re covered for the whole bay.

#fishbaitshopnearme #baitplacesnearme #baitshops #livebaitnearme