Advice needed for a noob here...

[bodysnatcher]

One word "Skyway"

I was really thinking about that. I remember watching a fishing show where these two guys were catching bunch of groupers and all kinds of species only few hundred yards away from skyway. I guess only near the skyway pier was overfished. Do you know any good spots where I can go try? What do you think I can possibly catch there during this summer heat?

I'm planning to get an affordable fish finder. Any suggestion??

We might go out on this thursday from early morning till about 5pm

And anout the size of fuel tank, I'll double check to make sure if it is 24 gal or not.

Fish the bay side. People on the pier can not fish that side vary well since they closed half the pier. Even with a cheap fishfinder you will be able to find the rock's.

[GoodOyster]

You can catch grouper and snapper all over Tampa Bay and within 10 miles of shore. No need to go further than that, really.

Manatee County has several artificial reefs within 7 miles. View the PDF at this link:
http://www.mymanatee.org/dms/department ... ochure.pdf

One of the more productive ways to find grouper, snapper, grunts, etc. is to drift over the hard bottom areas 5-10 miles offshore. Best conditions is when there's about a 2-5 knot wind. Get you some markers (large floats with enough line for the depth you're fishing and 1-2 pound weight) and when a couple of you hook up with a fish while drifting, throw out a marker. Drift back over that spot a few times, and if you catch more fish, mark the spot on a GPS.

Learning to anchor properly, allowing for wind and current, is extremely important if you want to be successful catching fish. Once you learn a few spots, you'll find out that being off by 10-20 yards (sometimes less!) can be the difference between catching 2 or three grunts, a cooler full of snapper, or a bunch of lizardfish and blue runners!

If you have little experience boating, contact the local power squadron and take a boating class. Well worth the time and any expense. Cheaper than a funeral!

[CWFAsian1129]

Thank you very much guys!!

Unfortunately its been raining heavy and bad weathers so we're not planning to get out there anytime soon...

But We're go to skyways for sure!

[Iluv2hunt]

The way these t-storms are popping up anytime and anywhere I would be gunshy about heading out far at all