By Jackie Otto, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
What's hot: Mackerel and sheepshead fishing from the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers was the hot item this past week. The bait shop at the north or south fishing pier can offer advice on what gear to bring and what types of fish are biting. Only the west side of the fishing pier is open because the east side is deteriorating and no longer provides strength or safety for the public.
Techniques: Sheepshead anglers are dropping sand fleas, shrimp and fiddler crabs down the pilings using enough weight to keep the line near the structure. For mackerel fishing, try casting Sea Striker's Got-Cha plugs or a sabiki No. 3-drop, 0-sized hook weighted with a 2-ounce drop sinker out and retrieve quickly.
Jackie Otto can be reached at Betts Fishing Center at (727) 518-7637 or jackieotto@msn.com.