Gandy Boat Ramp Fishing

Gandy Boat Ramp is a big county launch near the Tampa end of the Gandy Bridge, with areas set aside for shore fishing on Old Tampa Bay. It suits anglers who want easy parking, restrooms and a wide mix of bay fish.

• Designated shore fishing areas beside a six-lane public ramp
• Trout and redfish on the moving tide, sheepshead and drum in winter
• Jacks and ladyfish in spring and fall, with the odd Spanish mackerel
• Restrooms and more than 100 trailer spaces
• Also known as the Salty Sol Fleishman Boat Ramp

The ramp is on the south side of Gandy Boulevard in South Tampa, shortly before the road crosses Old Tampa Bay on the Gandy Bridge to St. Petersburg. Hillsborough County runs it inside the City of Tampa's Gandy Park South.

• Getting there: follow Gandy Boulevard west toward the bridge; the entrance is on the south side
• Parking: a large lot with more than 100 trailer spaces
• Fees: launching a boat costs $5; annual passes are sold; the county lists no other fee
• Hours: sunrise to sunset
• The walk: short, from the lot to the shore fishing areas

Old Tampa Bay around the Gandy causeway has grass flats and deeper water close by, so something is usually biting.

• Spring (Mar–May): jacks arrive with the bait, sometimes with Spanish mackerel; trout and redfish on the moving tide; sheepshead finish their run
• Summer (Jun–Aug): mangrove snapper and snook near any structure, ladyfish schools, trout early in the day
• Fall (Sep–Nov): redfish at their best, trout feeding hard, jacks and ladyfish on the bait
• Winter (Dec–Feb): sheepshead and black drum close to hard structure along the shore; trout on warmer afternoons between fronts

Light to medium spinning tackle with 10–20 lb braid and a 20–30 lb leader covers most fish here.

• Trout and redfish: live shrimp under a popping cork, or a 1/4 oz jig and paddle tail over the grass
• Sheepshead and black drum: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader with a 1/2 oz sinker, fished close to hard structure
• Spanish mackerel and jacks: small silver spoons or jigs retrieved fast, with a short wire or heavy mono leader for mackerel
• Snook and snapper: live shrimp or small pilchards near structure at first and last light
• A drop net or long-handled net helps land fish

Old Tampa Bay has mixed tides, usually two highs and two lows a day of unequal size, and a small range. The ramp basin opens through a channel to the bay beside the Gandy causeway.

• Moving water is the key; slack tide is slow
• A rising tide pushes trout and redfish up onto the grass
• The falling tide pulls bait off the flats toward deeper water
• Strong winds churn up the shallow bay and muddy the water; calmer days fish better
• Jacks, ladyfish and any mackerel follow clean, green water and bait schools in spring and fall

A large ramp site with the usual boat-ramp cautions.

• A popular launch that gets busy: keep lines clear of boats launching and loading, and never block the lanes or the dock
• No swimming, wading or diving: the county prohibits all three here
• The water's edge can be slippery; watch your footing
• Lightning: summer afternoon storms build over the bay; leave early
• Gandy Boulevard is a busy highway; take care turning in and out
• A large lot and restrooms make it easy to reach

The county lists these facilities at the Gandy ramp:

• Six wide launch lanes and a boat dock
• More than 100 trailer parking spaces
• Restrooms
• Areas for shore fishing
• Launch fee of $5 per boat, with annual passes available
• No bait or tackle shop is listed, so bring bait with you or buy it on the way
• Bring water and shade in summer

• Come on a weekday morning to avoid the weekend rush at the ramp
• Watch for diving birds in spring and fall; jacks, ladyfish and sometimes mackerel are under them
• Winter sheepshead hold tight to hard structure; fish close to it with fiddler crabs
• Keep a popping cork rig ready for trout on the moving tide
• Check the wind forecast; calm days give the cleanest water
• Rinse your tackle after a windy day on the bay

Gandy Boat Ramp is run by Hillsborough County on land in the City of Tampa's Gandy Park South.

• Open sunrise to sunset; launching a boat costs $5, and annual boat ramp passes are sold
• City and county park rules both allow fishing only in designated places: fish the shore fishing areas, never from the ramp lanes or docks
• No swimming, wading or diving at the ramp
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit
• Snook and redfish have their own rules; check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything