I was there about a month ago. Not much action.

Twenty years ago if you didn’t want to catch fish, don’t throw your hook in the water.

The reasons for this are many:

The oil spill in the gulf.

The dumping of that huge lake of phosphates into Tampa Bay.

The Mississippi River and many others flow into the Gulf and dump their load of chemicals, pesticides, and who knows what else into the Gulf.

The continuous tons of fertilizer and pesticides just from Florida alone travel through the streams, rivers, and groundwater into the Gulf.

Raw sewage in some areas still makes its way into the Gulf. I know the USA tries to prevent this but there are many poor countries surrounding the Gulf that don’t.

The infamous Red Tides caused by all of the above.

Overfishing throughout the Gulf of Mexico. I know it would be tough but perhaps huge fish sanctuaries should be set aside throughout the Gulf of Mexico with absolutely no fishing allowed.

The continuous and needed spraying of pesticides across Florida to kill the mosquitos.
The pesticides used spread across the land and water. Fish eggs and fry are inundated with this deadly cloud. As the eggs and fry are very delicate at this stage it stands to reason that while not all are killed some can’t survive. The mosquito larva are some of the first foods for almost all fry. They are a needed part of out ecosystem. But I understand completely why spraying is needed.

The fish stocks could withstand a couple of the above abuses and still be robust and viable but not all at once.

Man is serving up a deadly cocktail that the wildlife and plants in our oceans, lakes, streams and rivers may not survive.

Weekends can become very crowded. Fishing there was better before red tide. But there are a large variety to catch. Spanish mackerel are almost always around. You can use live bait or lures. I’ve everything from Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, cat fish, tarpon and even a pelican or a seagull or two over the years. The birds sometimes do the most unexpected things I try my best not hook them but sometimes unavoidable. There are signs posted that tell you what to do.

And if the fish don’t bite there are lots of wildlife and the bay, water, and sky.

The fee charged takes care of fishing for 24 hours. They charge by the number of people in the car.

All are good explanations and probably true. But I believe it probably originated this way. I will try not to be too graphic, not wanting to offend or be censored.

And moderators feel free to not post this explanation if you believe it’s too over the top. I know there could be young ones reading and of course I don’t want to offend.

So which finger is the “make out” finger?
What vulgar word is used pretty much world wide to mean a sexually explicit act? Now of course it means “go away, or shut up or I don’t care what you think” in an insulting manner.

In times past that word when used was a deadly insult that required a physical response. Today however it’s used so often that most don’t look at that way, in fact it’s almost an automatic response for almost any reason. I don’t believe most think of the literal meaning when using the word.

So when you think of the middle finger and it’s sometime role as a “heated” stimulant and of the “f” word and think the “act” can mean physical domination or rape, a display of the middle finger could show that act of “domination” might be performed on you and for you to go away implying something uncomfortable might happen. Many times the use of the “finger” is accompanied by thrusting gestures with the arm up and down or back and forth in a skewering fashion. The finger when used with arm gestures is even more explicit.

The “f” words original meaning far back in antiquity was to “plow or thrust into the ground.”

That’s a great flathead for sure. My father and I used to catch and clean large cats and they were delicious.

But with the Asian carp invasion we quickly release any gar, bowfin, large catfish etc. Predation on the Asian carp by our predators is one way to try to stop the invasion.

I’ve contacted local fish and game asking them to stock white bass and strippers in the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio River systems.

Of course white bass and strippers can’t devour full grown carp. But they can eat the babies.

The Asian carp invasion is probably beyond our control but we still need to keep trying.

After a successful spawning run on the Mississippi River, I saw a dark ribbon about a foot wide running parallel to the banks. What was it?
Millions probably billions of newly hatched baby Asian carp along the river banks as for as the eyes could see in either direction.

I’d love to see a large school of white bass, wipers, or strippers corner these schools of carp and decimate them.

But I too would be very proud of catching that flathead. I’ve never caught one that large but have caught plenty of blue cats on the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers that rival that size.

Hi,
I taught my three cats to hold still and let me trim nails every two weeks or so. No struggle no biting, no fuss. I hold the cat in my lap, pull out his limb a bit. Then push down on the pads. The claws will stick out one at a time as you press the pad for that claw. Then trim with nail scissors. The trick is to acclimate them when young. I hold and tickle their paws as kittens so they are used to it. Takes about 5 minutes per cat as they have 18 claws.

Best way to give pills. Coat the pill with lard. Cats love the taste. You still have to pop it into their mouth but once in they very rarely spit it out. Much easier than pill pockets or some concoction in a tube that was so sticky (supplied by the vet) that you couldn’t get the pill off your finger after putting it in their mouth.

Hi,
I’m traveling to Myrtle Beach in July. Can anyone suggest places to fish from the beach or jetties?
I will have a couple of 12 year old boys that haven’t fished much, haven’t caught much, and need some good experiences.

I own plenty of tackle that I use at Florida Gulf beaches so that’s not a problem.

It would be nice to catch a red drum or two but the boys would be happy to catch ladyfish, mackerel, or really anything else that would swim by. I really want them to catch fishing fever.

I’ve been on a group fishing boat that went out a bit and I caught a several bonnet head sharks. I’m sure they would like something like that.

Of course I will consult the local bait shops for any fishing news or methods. But if anyone could give some info or hints now I’d appreciate it. That way I could be better prepared.

Did you catch much? I saw a few fish caught but that wind was hard to fish in and cast for mackerel.

My friend was using leftover night crawlers from another trip.

Thanks very much. I was at Skyway Pier yesterday. No Red Tide but caught nothing but pin fish on worms.

Nobody knows any good guides? Maybe the Red Tide got them all.

Hi,
Im leaving for the above area tomorrow. I have a few questions.

Has Red Tide made an appearance around the Skyway Fishing Pier? Thats one of my favorite places as the water there is usually beautiful and at least in the past has been a fun place to fish.

I’d also would be interested in kayak fishing as well. Id like a guide for that too.

Can someone provide me with the names and phone numbers of some guides for tarpon, trout, shark, king mackerel or any other fish now in the area?

If ocean fishing is out I’d be glad to hire a guide for bass, peacock bass, snakeheads, oscars or any other fun fish to catch? I realize i may have to drive at down to the Everglades or further. Are there any suggestions for which lakes to fish?

I am also interested in catching pythons. Im not sure if they are in season at this time. I don’t think they should have a season. I hate what they are doing to the environment. I’d be glad for any information on hiring a guide for that too.

I’m looking for some adventure. 😎😎

Yes. And where are the Piney Point Phosphate Barons today? They took the money and ran. Probably paid off the local and state politicians and we’re not made responsible for any of the deserted phosphate plants. The good governor should go after them with the State Attorney. They’ve caused more damage to the gulf than the oil spills did.

Let’s see how much will it cost to restock the Gulf of Mexico with fish and other living things. I’m sure the manatees are taking another hit. This could be an extinction event for them.

That’s terrible news. I was really hoping the hurricane would have pulled that stuff out of the bay.

What a great decision a couple of years ago to dump thise broken holding dams into the bay.

And where are all those fertilizers today? Closed and fled the country with their millions.
They should have been made to clean all that up when they closed the factories.

[quote=sun bum]I must concur with everyone that has responded. Red Tide is literally killing our Gulf fishing. Dead fish line the beaches and floaters are in the hundreds visible in Sarasota Bay. Checked four spots on Monday, Siesta Key, North Siesta bridge and Osprey. All the smart fish are in deep waters or in the canals, all the dumb fish are either dead or will be. My fishin' buddy went to Englewood, same story.[/qu



I wonder if the red tide is at the Skyway fishing pier either North or South?

What a shame about all the fish and other sea creatures. There doesn’t seem like there is anything to be done snout it. I’m surprised it’s appeared this early. Usually it waits till late spring early summer.
I don’t see the Florida Fish and Wildlife commission can do much about it. The farmers and grass growers will continue yo use fertilizer with no sign of stopping.

Fishing used yo be the reason many came to the area to visit. I was going to purchase a home or condo. I love to fish and swim in the Gulf. I guess the politicians will do nothing to help. I’m not a big fan of the east coast but maybe I’ll have to reevaluate.

I’ll be visiting the area in a couple of weeks. I may just leave all my fishing and swimming gear home.

Not much. Saw a few mackerel caught. I didn’t have the right lure. They were picky. I went yesterday too. In my experience day after a hurricane is not a good fishing day.