Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is a Florida State Park located on the north and south sides of the mouth of Tampa Bay. When the original cantilevered Sunshine Skyway Bridge, carrying I-275 (US 19), partially collapsed in 1980, due to the collision of a freighter on one of its pilings, it was replaced by the current bridges. The approaches to the old bridge, however, were left in place and converted into the longest fishing pier in the world. The most common activity on the pier is fishing. Common catches include snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, grunts, sharks, Goliath Grouper, Lane Snapper, flounder, and many more. Other pier activities include site seeing and photography. Before the bridge are good flats to fish at, kite board, kayak, and wind surf. Snacks, drinks, bait, and fishing supplies can be purchased on the pier, which has a fee for admission. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Closing of eastern portion In August 2008, Florida Department of Transportation officials announced that the eastern part of the pier would be closed on August 29, 2008, for safety reasons. Built in 1954, after 50 years of corrosion and wear and tear, it had worn out. The western portion, built 17 years later, were still deemed safe to use. Gallery References External links Skyway Fishing Pier State Park at Florida State Parks Skyway Fishing Pier State Park at Wildernet Parks in Manatee County, Florida Parks in Hillsborough County, Florida Tourist attractions in the Tampa Bay area Piers in Florida State parks of Florida Protected areas established in 1994 1994 establishments in Florida