Need info on fishing/suggestions for St Petersburg Fl

[wish2fish]

We will be going to St Petersburg Florida area at the end of the month and I was hoping to get some info from anyone in that area.

We will be staying in a house on a canal that is about 1/3-1/2 mile out to Boca Ciega Bay. The house is close to Maximo Marina.

We like to fish and should be able to throw a line out in the canal. Addittionally we usually rent a 21-21ft deckboat for a day or 2.

A few questions I have.

I know I need a fishing license. Do I also need a license for my boys ages 17 and 13?

Is there a freshwater and saltwater license? or do I have to by 2 spearate licenses if I decide to try a lake for bass?

Any tips for fishing or sightseeing from the water would be appreciated.

thanks!

 

[ylwjacket]

One of my business partners lives on that canal, about half way between the bay and the marina.

There is all kinds of stuff in there - snook under the docks is a good way to go. This time of year, sheepshead too. The actually have small grouper under their dock int he winter. By the end of the month, they may be on the move back out. Beware of baby goliath grouper - they may in there as well, and are illegal to land.

Not too far from there is a big grass flat area with trout and redfish aplenty.

Not too far of a ride is Shell Key, a nice place to beach the boat and spend a day at the beach (though it gets a little unruly on summer weekends).

I'll ask her for more, I'm sure she knows.

The 17 year old needs a license, the 13 yr old does not. Also, if you are fishing from land only, you don't need one at all for saltwater. You need one for fresh. There isn't a whole lot in the way of great freshwater fishing down there, though. Lake Tarpon, in the north part of the county, is one of the state's best bass lakes.

There some near-shore artificial reefs donw that way, too, a couple of miles out. If the weather is calm, you give those a try. There is plenty to catch there, nad you might even luck into a gag grouper on one of those.

This website has what you need to know:

http://myfwc.com/marine/

Hope that you gets you started. Post other questions - there are a few fishermen on this board that live in St Pete that know more than I do about that area.

 

[wish2fish]

thanks for the link and the update so far. Most of the time we will fish from the dock so does that stand for your fish from land statement? I don't mind pitching in my share for license if the money helps the fisheries.

I'm going to have to investigate this grouper thing. How do you hook a fish and not land to release it?

Hopefully the fish will be up the canal as the boys (me included) could have a lot of fun if there are actually decent fish in there.

You mention going out a few miles...not sure I would do this not knowing the water that well but last year we took the ferry over to edgemont key and there were lots of boats and even a few Wave Runners over there. Is that a trip that I could safely do on a 21-22 ft deckboat? I'm used to handling my 22 ft sea ray but not in strong currents. I have rented deckboats before mostly stayed on the ICW but did anchor up in one of the cut through where the current was pretty strong. (Long Boat Key/Sarasota Bay)

 

[ylwjacket]

Most of the time we will fish from the dock so does that stand for your fish from land statement? I don't mind pitching in my share for license if the money helps the fisheries.

No need if you are fishing from shore, which includes docks.

I'm going to have to investigate this grouper thing. How do you hook a fish and not land to release it?

You unhook it while it's still in the water. It's only 1 kind of grouper that is protected - the goliath. Their markings are pretty distinct. They grow to like 600 pounds. In the canals, they are more like 4-10.

Hopefully the fish will be up the canal as the boys (me included) could have a lot of fun if there are actually decent fish in there.

You never know. Depends on warmth and wind.

You mention going out a few miles...not sure I would do this not knowing the water that well but last year we took the ferry over to edgemont key and there were lots of boats and even a few Wave Runners over there. Is that a trip that I could safely do on a 21-22 ft deckboat? I'm used to handling my 22 ft sea ray but not in strong currents. I have rented deckboats before mostly stayed on the ICW but did anchor up in one of the cut through where the current was pretty strong. (Long Boat Key/Sarasota Bay)

Totally depends on the wind. If it's calm (5-10 knots), and the seas are <2 feet, no worries. This time of year, though, it changes quickly. You have to be vigiliant with weather forecasts before going out. You won't probably sink, but it won't be any fun either. I have been in 6 footers over by Egmont (actually, in my partner's 18 foot flats boat - no fun).