Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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4.5
185 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
52
Average
16
Poor
6
Terrible
4
Ed A
North Sarasota, FL17 contributions
Dec 2019
It was a little too windy for boating so I spent the day on the Pier. Its $4.00 per car. $4.00 per person . So one person is $8.00 dollars for the day. Pass is good for 24 hrs. Take a sabiki rig for the smaller fish. You can throw net from the bridge.Take a larger ro too throw the bait put you caught. Great views of the Sky Way and Tampa Bay. The bathrooms are porta potties. Its very kid friendly and family oriented.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randy B
New Braunfels, TX221 contributions
Mar 2021
It's a great view of the gulf and the bridge, but it's hard to get out and enjoy any fishing. It's crowded, fishing lines are in every direction. It's even difficult to turn around and get back, once your on the pier. I will say it's a great view of the bridge, if you want a Kodak moment! However, it's rough fishing spot.
Written March 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott M
Columbus, OH31 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
I'm an avid fisherman -- both fresh and saltwater -- and a big part of any vacation for me is the opportunity to go fishing just about every day. The trade-off is usually that I have to get up super early, trudge out to the beach and spend hours away from my family. The wife and kids like to fish on occasion, but that usually means going to a pier, spending a ridiculous amount on parking and fishing access, and then lugging a bunch of gear several hundreds yards to our fishing spot, only to have somebody need to go to the restroom. By the time our bait is in the water, tide has turned, and I spend the next couple of hours cursing the slack tide and losing dozens of over-priced frozen shrimp to pinfish while the kids lose interest and start asking to leave.
Skyway pier offers a very attractive alternative to this pier nightmare. For starters, there's no lugging anything because you can park literally a few steps from your fishing spot. Second, if the kids get bored or cold or hungry, they can sit in the car and play on their tablets or gaming devices, while snacking away on food you brought (rather than overpriced snack shop food). Third, if your wife gets tired of fishing and wants to leave, she can hop in the car and take the kids someplace else while you continue to fish and then come back and pick you up later with little to no fuss. Fourth, there is the potential to catch just about anything you can imagine -- not just the scant bait-stealing pin fish, pompano and spot at most piers.
We fished the south pier two different days during our recent vacation, and while it was incredibly cold and windy (45 degrees with 18 mph wind), the fishing was great, the view was amazing (be sure to stay for the sunset) and the wife and kids stayed toasty warm in the car while I freezed my you-know-whats off and had the time of my life. On his second cast, my 6 year old son hooked into something big that he got to the surface and got just a glimpse of before it came off the hook. We continued to catch a lot of small snapper, pin fish, lizard fish and other bottom-dwellers on live shrimp throughout the day. It kept the kids interested and allowed me to keep changing out my bait (I was using their pinfish to go for grouper and sharks). I had some big hits and broken lines.... but then about an hour before sunset, I was free-lining a pin-fish and something big hit and started ripping line off my reel. By the speed, I'm guessing a shark rather than a grouper, but I never saw it... so can't be sure. After about a 5 minute battle, the line snapped and I never got a good look.
All in all, this was a very reasonably priced, convenient and beautiful place to fish. The cost for a family of 4 (two kids and to adults) to park and fish for 24 hours was right around $14 -- one of the best "pier" deals I've encountered. Plus, the opportunity to hook into a monster at the very same spot where your kids are catching pinfish on shrimp is a unique and exciting prospect.
On the down side, the bait shop has limited supplies (but adequate) and the restrooms are a little rough. The one nearest where we were fishing seemed to have the water turned off -- so the toilets wouldn't flush and the faucets were dry. Still.... even being able to park right next to your fishing spot and having a restroom 20 yards away is a pretty awesome thing -- especially when you're fishing with kids (and a wife) with small bladders.
By the way.... officially you can't have alcohol on this pier (or any state park for that matter). But, if you're not there to be an idiot and get drunk and cause a problem, you can easily have a nice cooler in the back of your vehicle and drink a few cold ones while you're out there. It's a nice option to have, and no one is going to hassle you if you keep in a coozie and don't act like an idiot. Just be sure to clean up after yourself and don't leave empty cans lying around.
Skyway pier offers a very attractive alternative to this pier nightmare. For starters, there's no lugging anything because you can park literally a few steps from your fishing spot. Second, if the kids get bored or cold or hungry, they can sit in the car and play on their tablets or gaming devices, while snacking away on food you brought (rather than overpriced snack shop food). Third, if your wife gets tired of fishing and wants to leave, she can hop in the car and take the kids someplace else while you continue to fish and then come back and pick you up later with little to no fuss. Fourth, there is the potential to catch just about anything you can imagine -- not just the scant bait-stealing pin fish, pompano and spot at most piers.
We fished the south pier two different days during our recent vacation, and while it was incredibly cold and windy (45 degrees with 18 mph wind), the fishing was great, the view was amazing (be sure to stay for the sunset) and the wife and kids stayed toasty warm in the car while I freezed my you-know-whats off and had the time of my life. On his second cast, my 6 year old son hooked into something big that he got to the surface and got just a glimpse of before it came off the hook. We continued to catch a lot of small snapper, pin fish, lizard fish and other bottom-dwellers on live shrimp throughout the day. It kept the kids interested and allowed me to keep changing out my bait (I was using their pinfish to go for grouper and sharks). I had some big hits and broken lines.... but then about an hour before sunset, I was free-lining a pin-fish and something big hit and started ripping line off my reel. By the speed, I'm guessing a shark rather than a grouper, but I never saw it... so can't be sure. After about a 5 minute battle, the line snapped and I never got a good look.
All in all, this was a very reasonably priced, convenient and beautiful place to fish. The cost for a family of 4 (two kids and to adults) to park and fish for 24 hours was right around $14 -- one of the best "pier" deals I've encountered. Plus, the opportunity to hook into a monster at the very same spot where your kids are catching pinfish on shrimp is a unique and exciting prospect.
On the down side, the bait shop has limited supplies (but adequate) and the restrooms are a little rough. The one nearest where we were fishing seemed to have the water turned off -- so the toilets wouldn't flush and the faucets were dry. Still.... even being able to park right next to your fishing spot and having a restroom 20 yards away is a pretty awesome thing -- especially when you're fishing with kids (and a wife) with small bladders.
By the way.... officially you can't have alcohol on this pier (or any state park for that matter). But, if you're not there to be an idiot and get drunk and cause a problem, you can easily have a nice cooler in the back of your vehicle and drink a few cold ones while you're out there. It's a nice option to have, and no one is going to hassle you if you keep in a coozie and don't act like an idiot. Just be sure to clean up after yourself and don't leave empty cans lying around.
Written January 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff S
Havre de Grace, MD206 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
Fishing this pier is like no other pier I’ve fished. I had to learn all over again to become successful here. A few things to keep in mind:
1) There are small fish and schools of bait fish in great abundance. You can catch all the live bait you need. Just use Sabiki rigs or small hooks with little pieces of any frozen bait.
2) Lures don’t work well here most of the time, there’s way too much live food swimming around for the larger fish to bother with lures.
3) To catch large fish you need large live bait. The small fish will clean your hooks off in seconds. frozen baits only catch small bait sized fish.
4) Patience is a virtue, sometime you may wait for a few hours before the action happens.
5) You need to be mobile, the good fish are there, but you may need to find them. Don’t sit in one spot, especially when fishing for snapper or grouper.
6) You need the right equipment. When a 5 pound plus fish hits, you need equipment that can handle it.
It took me several separate vacations with multiple visits each time to get good at catching good stuff here. The time of day, tide, wind, sun, temperature and time of year all play a role in what’s biting. Also, don’t be shy about asking for help or information. Watch what others are doing and try to copy it. This is now my favorite place to fish without a boat. With persistence and the willingness to try different tactics you will come to love this place. I have.
1) There are small fish and schools of bait fish in great abundance. You can catch all the live bait you need. Just use Sabiki rigs or small hooks with little pieces of any frozen bait.
2) Lures don’t work well here most of the time, there’s way too much live food swimming around for the larger fish to bother with lures.
3) To catch large fish you need large live bait. The small fish will clean your hooks off in seconds. frozen baits only catch small bait sized fish.
4) Patience is a virtue, sometime you may wait for a few hours before the action happens.
5) You need to be mobile, the good fish are there, but you may need to find them. Don’t sit in one spot, especially when fishing for snapper or grouper.
6) You need the right equipment. When a 5 pound plus fish hits, you need equipment that can handle it.
It took me several separate vacations with multiple visits each time to get good at catching good stuff here. The time of day, tide, wind, sun, temperature and time of year all play a role in what’s biting. Also, don’t be shy about asking for help or information. Watch what others are doing and try to copy it. This is now my favorite place to fish without a boat. With persistence and the willingness to try different tactics you will come to love this place. I have.
Written June 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danidawn2014
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada18 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
We love fishing. We were excited to visit the worlds largest fishing pier on our holiday to Florida. We were taken aback by the garbage on the pier. Garbage cans were overflowing. Most people, locals, were not bothered with garbage bins and threw their trash down on the ground to blow into the ocean. Plastic bags, fishing lure and bottles, every type of trash was blowing around and going into the sea. As a tourist I spend my time picking it up! Being a state park and charging a lot I would expect a much high monitoring and clean up. Disgusting! There are many lovely fishing piers in small towns doing a better job, avoid this place unless you want to feel depressed. Also, have to add that the bathroom's look and smell like people are peeing everywhere other than the dirty toilet, although can't blame them really.
Written October 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
callcri
Weeki Wachee, FL150 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
The Bridge spans the entrance to Tampa Bay and is the US 19-I275 link between St Pete, Pinellas County and Bradenton, Manatee County, bypassing the busy section of I75 through Tampa. The center span of the original Skyway Bridge has been removed after a freighter collided into it and had to be replaced. When the replacement bridge was constructed the old roadway on both sides has been repurposed into a Fishing Pier and State Park, the longest fishing pier in the country, and recreational areas for locals and tourists. The Bridge itself is well lite at night and is an excellent fish attractor at night. At both ends of the bridge there are clean rest rooms and a bait, tackle and snack facility. Rental fishing rods and reels are available in the bait shop. It is open all 24 hour a day,365 days a year. This is a great place to park and fish from either side of the roadway. I have seen all types and sizes of fish being caught and come over the railing. I have found squid strips and shrimp to be the most productive but check with the bait shop attendant for their recommendation. Florida fishing laws are in effect and enforced. There are no shelters or shade, so I recommend taking sunglasses and chairs to sit and relax. What I like best is I can park by the rail where I fish so there is no long walk to the car to get something. The pier provides open views of the sun going down or coming up and the view is spectacular.
The bridge toll is $1.25 and access to the fishing pier is a bit steep I feel at $4.00 per car plus $4.00 per adult, $2.00 per child. This Skyway Bride is an engineering and architectural marvel providing a spectacular backdrop when fishing. Pets are not allowed on the Skyway Fishing Piers. Recreational vehicles (RVs), vehicles weighing over 12 ton, large trucks and trailers are not permitted on the Skyway Fishing Piers. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. A great place to fish and relax in the Florida Sun.
The bridge toll is $1.25 and access to the fishing pier is a bit steep I feel at $4.00 per car plus $4.00 per adult, $2.00 per child. This Skyway Bride is an engineering and architectural marvel providing a spectacular backdrop when fishing. Pets are not allowed on the Skyway Fishing Piers. Recreational vehicles (RVs), vehicles weighing over 12 ton, large trucks and trailers are not permitted on the Skyway Fishing Piers. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. A great place to fish and relax in the Florida Sun.
Written February 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M W
4 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
The man at the toll booth was rude as hell. We told him all we were doing is going down to sightsee and he wanted 17.50. We turned around and left.
Written June 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
335B_a_r_r_y1001
Sarasota, FL87 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
Nothing like being able to drive out on the pier in your car & pick a place to park and fish ! This is the longest fishing pier in the USA, it is a Florida State Park, and you do not need a fishing license to fish there. Catch is varied, depending on the season.
We spent New Years Eve out there again this year. Fun watching the fireworks going off out across the water at the different towns on the horizon.
Fishing was ok...lot of snappers,few small groupers and one large shark that broke the line and got away. But we usually catch and release...so it just got off early ha ha
There are both a North and a South pier...north one is in deeper water. There are plenty of well lighted restrooms scatter along the piers...and each pier has a bait shop that also sells coffee, drinks, and snacks 24 hours a day.
There is an entry charge to go out on pier....and if you have a Disabled Vet Florida State Park Pass...you do not get into this park free...but they do give you about 60% off the regular fee.
Two items of interest: One is that once you pay for entry...you can go back and forth between the piers at no extra cost: and other is that if you return the park(either pier) within 23 hours and 59 min. of when you buy your pass at the gate.............the "re-entry" is FREE :) So look at it as actually a "24 hours pass".
We spent New Years Eve out there again this year. Fun watching the fireworks going off out across the water at the different towns on the horizon.
Fishing was ok...lot of snappers,few small groupers and one large shark that broke the line and got away. But we usually catch and release...so it just got off early ha ha
There are both a North and a South pier...north one is in deeper water. There are plenty of well lighted restrooms scatter along the piers...and each pier has a bait shop that also sells coffee, drinks, and snacks 24 hours a day.
There is an entry charge to go out on pier....and if you have a Disabled Vet Florida State Park Pass...you do not get into this park free...but they do give you about 60% off the regular fee.
Two items of interest: One is that once you pay for entry...you can go back and forth between the piers at no extra cost: and other is that if you return the park(either pier) within 23 hours and 59 min. of when you buy your pass at the gate.............the "re-entry" is FREE :) So look at it as actually a "24 hours pass".
Written January 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lou J
Madeira Beach, FL114 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This is at the mouth of Tampa Bay. A great place to fish. They have bathrooms and concession stands (which accept credit cards) The cost of admission (24 hours) is $4/car and $4/person. Open 24 hours.
Written June 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lobstaluva
Springfield, MA621 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
The fishing pier(s) are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and listed as the longest pier in the world. It used to be a bridge!
In 1980 this cantilevered bridge was hit by the Summit Venture, a freighter, and the center collapsed hurling a bus and seven vehicles into Tampa Bay killing 35 people. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge was subsequently built (see separate review) and the old bridge converted into fishing piers on each end.
You can drive your vehicle or even a camper right onto the pier. It is $4 per vehicle and $4 per person for 24 hours. You can pay your fee at one end but it is good for both ends. Here’s the trick... say our men go for 8am on the first day, fish as long as they want, and might even try the other end. Then, they return the next day about 7am being sure to get back before the 24 hours are up. Now they can fish as long as they want to again because once you are on the pier they do not kick you off. We have occasionally chatted with people who stay on the pier for a few days by bringing some food and sleeping in their vehicles.
People catch a variety of fish.... red snapper, mackerel, snook, sheepshead, tarpon, and the desired grouper to mention a few. We have never needed a license to fish. There is a concession for some food, bait and bathrooms, and the pier is lit at night so fishermen can see what they are doing. Alcohol and pets are not allowed on the pier.
In 1980 this cantilevered bridge was hit by the Summit Venture, a freighter, and the center collapsed hurling a bus and seven vehicles into Tampa Bay killing 35 people. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge was subsequently built (see separate review) and the old bridge converted into fishing piers on each end.
You can drive your vehicle or even a camper right onto the pier. It is $4 per vehicle and $4 per person for 24 hours. You can pay your fee at one end but it is good for both ends. Here’s the trick... say our men go for 8am on the first day, fish as long as they want, and might even try the other end. Then, they return the next day about 7am being sure to get back before the 24 hours are up. Now they can fish as long as they want to again because once you are on the pier they do not kick you off. We have occasionally chatted with people who stay on the pier for a few days by bringing some food and sleeping in their vehicles.
People catch a variety of fish.... red snapper, mackerel, snook, sheepshead, tarpon, and the desired grouper to mention a few. We have never needed a license to fish. There is a concession for some food, bait and bathrooms, and the pier is lit at night so fishermen can see what they are doing. Alcohol and pets are not allowed on the pier.
Written January 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iam planning a trip in late December, I would like to rent fishing tackle and bait along with my daily pass ,etc , what species are active at this time of the year
Thanks
Mike Saunders
Sherpa34756053913
Lake Mary, FL
Is there power available on the pier? Power to charge a phone or plug in other electronic devices?
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