'Very excited.' Florida anglers react to plans for new Sunshine Skyway Pier.

Amaia Gavica, The Bradenton Herald on Apr 15, 2026

Published in Outdoors

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BRADENTON, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced major upgrades for Sunshine Skyway fishing piers, and anglers who frequent the piers are excited.

The announcement during a March press conference in Bradenton, during which the governor said a new pier will be built on the south side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, next to the existing one, and that the pier on the Pinellas County side will receive structural improvements to extend its lifespan by 20 years.

A news release from the governor’s office said the new pier will feature enhancements to the parking areas and wider sidewalks.

“Temporary fishing piers are being built in an accelerated manner to help increase fishing opportunity areas and offset fishing opportunities that will be uninterrupted during construction,” the news release said.

The Sunshine Skyway Pier is a popular and beloved spot for anglers to catch the area’s popular fish, such as the king mackerel, tarpon and grouper. The pier is also the longest in the world, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Anglers on the Manatee County pier say they look forward to having a new and improved area for fishing.

Anglers reacts to Skyway pier replacement

Jonathan Cruz, a 22-year-old who was raised in Florida, told the Bradenton Herald that he thinks the governor’s plans to reconstruct the pier “sounds really good.”

“There’s a lot of people here most of the time, and sometimes there’s not enough space for how many people are out here, so another pier is going to be a lot better,” Cruz said. “It’s going to have more space, and obviously, the pier is going to be bigger. The area for fishing is going to be better, so I think it’s a good idea.”

Larry Hartsell, a Florida resident who lives near the pier, said he thinks the reconstruction is an “excellent” idea.

“I’m a fisherman, and I love fishing, and yes, I’m very excited about it,” Hartsell said. “If he does what he says, that would be absolutely wonderful.”

Hartsell also said he likes having restrooms and the bait shop on the pier, and he hopes those amenities will be present on the new one as well.

About 0.6 miles of the 2-mile-long south Skyway fishing pier has been closed since October after Hurricane Milton caused damage.

DeSantis’s office says they are looking to “restore one of Florida’s most iconic recreational destinations for fishing, sightseeing, and outdoor activities” in a news release.

A completion date for the fishing pier construction has not been announced.