re: Which beach is better in the Tampa area: Clearwater or St Petersburg

Go to Fort Desoto, that place is badass. Also bring some fishing gear and check out the pier on Fort Desoto or the fishing area on the bay side up north past the pier, on the right.

Also check out the Skyway Fishing Pier, they have a north and south side, the 24 hour pass is good for either side. Take you a bait bucket with aerator and buy some live shrimp. Drop your line right off the side and next to a pier and let it sit on bottom. Mangroove snappers will pick it up and chew on it, so wait a sec before setting the hook. 10 inch is the minimum size limit, and these jokers fry up good.