City: Tampa Bay, FL

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (727) 865-0668

Description: After the original Skyway Bridge collapsed in 1980 when a freighter struck one of the western columns during a violent storm, the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built in 1987. Rather than destroy the old bridge entirely, the double-span approaches were left on either side of the bay to be used as public fishing piers. Today, only one span on each side is being used (Tampa/Manatee side and St. Petersburg side), due to the deterioration of the older span. With four miles of fishing pier, the Skyway is now the longest fishing pier in the world. Visitors can drive to their fishing spot, park, and fish right off the bridge while watching cruise ships, tankers, freighters, and other boat traffic pass in and out of Tampa Bay. The telephone number above is for Pier Associates, Inc., a contracted service provider, which operates the concession and bait shops. Restrooms are available on the piers, as well. The piers are lit at night. The piers also attract birds looking for a handout, which is not permitted for the health of the birds and the safety of the humans. The Skyway Fishing Pier is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The fee for a 24-hour period is $3 per car, $2 per adult, or $1.50 for seniors and for children ages 6 to 12. Children age five and under are free. Pets are not allowed on the piers. Skyway Fishing Piers are on both the north and the south sides of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge off of I–275/U.S. 19.