When most Gulf Coast anglers think of gag grouper fishing, they reminisce of heading offshore to fish deepwater ledges and rock piles where big gag grouper pull hard in an attempt to head for cover.

When the original Sunshine Skyway bridge opened in 1954, it was given a 50-year life span. A second bridge, built in 1969 and opened in 1971 to allow double the cars, was given a similar lifespan.