Gandy launch

[pigbike]

Who launches at the Gandy bridge. I used to go there years ago but haven't been there in 30 years. How is it now. Is there one ramp or more? Hows the parking for a long truck with a trailer? Do they charge for using the ramp and parking?

Thanks
Roy

[love2fish]

$3 or $4 per launch... theres a total of 6 ramps to launch from... floating docks.. really easy. plenty of room for long trailers/trucks. no over-night parking though. usually pretty protected from the wind.

[love2fish]

clarification: 1 big ramp- divided for up to 6 boats to launch at the same time.
Also there's bathrooms that may or may not be unlocked.. and freshwater washdowns.

[Blue Agave]

The Gandy ramp, aka Salty Sol Fleischman ramp, was rebuilt many years ago. It is an excellent ramp with a $5 launch fee. It gets a lot of traffic and parking can be at a premium in the spring and summer if you arrive in the late morning or afternoon.

[pigbike]

Ok thanks. Looks like things have changed since I was there. "Restroom", we used the bushes for that.  I will have to try it next time out. We fished for Cobia years  ago around the channel markers with some success.

Is the ramp fee the usual $5.00 in the envelope as at most ramps?  Any suggestions on where to fish or what bait to try?

[Blue Agave]

Yes, place your $5 in an envelope and put the envelope into the canister.

The bay still offers excellent cobia fishing but the majority of cobia are caught in the spring and early summer. Your best bet for this time of year is trout and the best bait is live shrimp. You can get shrimp at Gandy Bait n Tackle.

[seabob4]

Roy, you can almost see Fernando's house from the Gandy ramp...

[pigbike]

Roy, you can almost see Fernando's house from the Gandy ramp...

Must be nice to be near a ramp. It's 29 miles from my house according to google.

[pigbike]

The Gandy ramp, aka Salty Sol Fleischman ramp, was rebuilt many years ago. It is an excellent ramp with a $5 launch fee. It gets a lot of traffic and parking can be at a premium in the spring and summer if you arrive in the late morning or afternoon.

Funny you should mention Salty Sol I was just thinking of him, and his fishing column yesterday for no good reason. His name just popped into my head.

Now if only the Powerball numbers would pop into my head

[Blue Agave]

As Chris mentioned there is a freshwater washdown for boats and trailers but you have to bring your own hose.

[Blue Agave]

The Gandy ramp, aka Salty Sol Fleischman ramp, was rebuilt many years ago. It is an excellent ramp with a $5 launch fee. It gets a lot of traffic and parking can be at a premium in the spring and summer if you arrive in the late morning or afternoon.

Funny you should mention Salty Sol I was just thinking of him, and his fishing column yesterday for no good reason. His name just popped into my head.

Now if only the Powerball numbers would pop into my head

Salty Sol is an Icon in Tampa!
http://www.sptimes.com/News/042100/news ... 000_.shtml

[seabob4]

I remember Salty Sol from my wee childhood days when we would come down for vacation...that was like 42 years ago!!!

[woody]

While we are remembering old St pete and Tampa T V personalities, let's see who remembers Ernie Lee and Capt. Mac. on a morning show from WTSP.  Capt Mac wore a pith helmet and gave fishing reports.  Ernie Lee sang a couple of songs and played the guitar. At the end of every show, his final line was "put the coffee pot on momma, I'm coming home."   I'm showing my age now!

[seabob4]

Roy Leep, anyone?

[fitz73222]

"Out the Door" with Monroe Campbell?