What is fishing like in St. Pete?

[Bruce]

I have a friend who wants to fish from his wheelchair in St. Pete. He is relocating to the area and is unfamiliar with the types of fish there.

What could he catch from a pier or beach?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Dean P]

Hi Bruce. There's lots of different and good tasting fish. Mainly Snook, Spanish Mackerel, Sea Trout and Grouper. Others include Catfish, Red Drum, Black Drum, Jack, Sting Rays (not good), Sheeps Head that I've caught (along with Snook) from the canal behind my house. Fishing from piers is very popular at Weedon Island and the New Pier in Downtown Saint Pete or maybe hop over to Clearwater and fish at their pier. There's lots of places due to being totally surrounded by water. Of course he'll need a fishing license (get online) and good bait.

Another good resource is your local bait shop. One can learn a lot (like I did). I frequent Mitch's Bait Shop (4th St.and 62nd Ave) but there's plenty around (big business). He could also ask people fishing from these piers. They're friendly and will help him.

Let me know if I can help. When is he moving here?