‘Days are numbered.’ Tampa Bay anglers react to Skyway Fishing Pier closure

When the original Sunshine Skyway bridge opened in 1954, it was given a 50-year life span.

A second bridge, built in 1969 and opened in 1971 to allow double the cars, was given a similar lifespan.

After tragedy struck in 1980, it forced the construction of the current bridge that opened in 1987, well before the lifespan of the original bridges was to expire. As a result, what remained of the original bridges were turned into a state park and fishing piers, which anglers have utilized for many years.

In 2008, the eastern bridge, built in 1954, was closed to fishing. It had a 54-year lifespan when it was deemed structurally dangerous and sections were removed. Now in 2025, and 54 years after its original opening, the last half mile of the western bridge and southern Skyway Fishing pier is about to meet the same fate.

“Following recent structural inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation, vehicle and pedestrian access beyond the bait shop is no longer allowed at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park,” says a banner on the Florida State Parks website noting the change goes into effect Monday, October 27th.

“Vehicles may continue onto the pier up to a point just south of the bait shop, which will remain open. Visitors should adhere to all posted signage,” the notice continues.

Some anglers are being realistic, while also understandable upset, over the upcoming and quickly announced closure.

“The piers aren’t really structurally maintained anymore, unfortunately. I used to fish the piers when I was younger, but just head out to catch bait by boat now the last 10+ years,” states angler Westin of Parrish on Facebook.

“You can’t see underneath (from the pier) and if you did, it might make it easier to understand. The hurricanes last year did a number on the piers and since then multiple times I’ve seen chunks of concrete just randomly drop, some the length of spans between sets of pilings. 9/10 of the concrete beams running north/south with the pier are badly cracked and coming apart.”

“If you look underneath, it’s clear that its days are numbered, it’s in really bad shape,” another angler replied.

Others want to see the pier repaired, noting its history and economic impact.

“I think we need to start advocating for funds to repair the fishing piers here at the Skyway,” replied angler Tony. “Sadly, some of our children and grandchildren will never get that opportunity.”

“Being a ‘state park,’ I would have hoped it (would) be kept in good repair. I’m not at all surprised they didn’t,” said angler John. “Sadly, the pier is dead to me now.”

Of course, the pier will be filled with memories for many. While the “world’s longest fishing pier” is about to get a little shorter, it’s provided countless fish stories in that time, having been a destination for decades.

This now looks like the beginning of the end for the pier’s fishy history. The north pier with access from Pinellas County is still open to its end. The inland portion of the southern pier will remain open as well.

But rebar and concrete, the foundation of the bridge, aren’t something easy to maintain once time and the conditions begin to win out. They could remain open for months or years, but beyond that it doesn’t seem feasible.

Land anglers will certainly miss the convenience and comfort of driving their vehicle right to the fishing spot in the middle of Tampa Bay when the inevitable happens.