For starters, I'm very sorry if this question has been asked before, this is my first post here.

Anyhow, I have been living on the outskirts of Tampa for 20 years and yet have not gone saltwater fishing once here. But I do love to fish! (generally freshwater, and if ever salt, usually around the St. Augustine beach area). I am looking for something to do this afternoon with my parents just to spend the day out. They would like to go fishing and I'm all for it, I just don't know where to go!

I live in Land O' Lakes FL to be exact and I hear that Fort Desoto and Howard Franklin are both pretty good areas to fish. I don't own a boat so I plan to surf fish and the bait I am using will vary as to what is running in the water. If anyone could suggest some good areas, I am all ears. Also, what should I be targeting in these areas and if any bait recommendations, I'd like to hear 'em.

thanks in advance
HamburgerWalrus

I'm a little late but I'd hit the Sunshine Skyway Piers either north or south. They have bait stores and everything.