Fort De Soto Gulf Pier

Public fishing pier in Tampa Bay nearshore waters

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NearshoreUpdated October 11, 2026

Access
From shore
Best months
March to June, October to November
Species
Spanish mackerel, King mackerel (kingfish), Sheepshead, Cobia, Tarpon, Sharks, Florida pompano

An 800-foot T-head pier with a pavilion, running out into the Gulf in front of old Fort De Soto, with two private red lights on its end and its end about 0.5 nautical miles from the dredged Egmont channel (Coast Pilot). It has a food and bait concession, and the park's two piers are open 7 a.m. to sunset (Pinellas County).

How to fish it

Drop sabikis rather than casting them to catch bait, then fish live bait for mackerel and the odd kingfish (FWC says kings are sometimes taken from piers that reach deep water). Fish shrimp, sand fleas or fiddler crabs on the bottom for sheepshead. FWC's pier tips: line of at least 30-pound test, a weighted rig with natural bait for a mixed bag, and never leave a rod unattended. FWC advises against targeting tarpon from piers.

Watch out for: The Egmont Channel ebb runs 2 knots or more (Coast Pilot), so bring a pier net or sling for big fish. Follow FWC's bird-safe pier tips.
Rules here: A fishing license is required throughout the park, piers included (Pinellas County). Fishing for sharks from the pier needs FWC's free Shore-based Shark Fishing permit. The rules to check in Tampa Bay nearshore waters

Wind and waves

Now and the next 48 hours, at the middle of Fort De Soto Gulf Pier

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On the map

Fort De Soto Gulf Pier and the places around it

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Position

It's drawn on the map as a line.

Not for navigation: check it against a current chart before you rely on it.

Places nearby

The closest named places, as the crow flies

Check the rules before you keep a fish. Size limits, bag limits and seasons change, sometimes at short notice. Our "Can you keep it today?" lists give them as of the day we last checked; these are the official pages.