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Sheepshead fishing in Pinellas County

34 rated shore spots in Pinellas County hold sheepshead — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.

Sheepshead forecast map for Pinellas County

Every spot colored by how it fishes for sheepshead right now. Scrub the timeline, tap a pin for its forecast, or go full screen.

When to go

Out of season — best Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec
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🌊 Fish the any tide.

Size, bag and season rules in Pinellas County

Open: keep up to 8 a day of 12 in or more

Pinellas County

Rules set by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Minimum size
12 inMeasured nose to tail, tail pinched
Bag limit
8 a day

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · checked Sep 30, 2026

A summary of the rules these authorities publish for anglers, checked on the dates shown. It is not legal advice: the authority's own page is the rule, and rules can change.

Check FWC rules

Best sheepshead spots in Pinellas County

1John's PassFair · 63HotspotWinter into spring around the rocks; fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader dropped straight down.2Fort De Soto Bay PierFair · 57HotspotWinter into March on the pilings; fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader dropped tight to the structure.3Williams Pier, GulfportFair · 51HotspotThe winter and spring mainstay: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader dropped tight to the pilings, with a light touch to feel the nibble.4Merry PierFair · 60HotspotWinter into spring on the pilings; fiddler crabs or shrimp dropped tight to the wood at slack or slow tide.5Belleair Causeway Fishing PierFair · 51HotspotWinter and spring on the bridge pilings; fiddler crabs or shrimp dropped tight to the structure.6McKenney Park, St. Pete BeachFair · 62HotspotWinter and spring on the pier and seawall pilings; fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader, dropped tight to the structure.7Skyway Fishing Pier (North)Fair · 57ReliableWinter into March on the old bridge pilings; fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader right against the concrete.8Fort De Soto Gulf PierFair · 56ReliableWinter and early spring tight to the pilings with fiddler crabs or shrimp.9Pass-a-Grille JettyFair · 60ReliableWinter and spring tight to the rocks; fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader dropped into the gaps.10St. Pete Pier Fishing DeckFair · 60ReliableWinter and early spring tight to the structure; fiddler crabs and shrimp.11Dunedin CausewayFair · 63ReliableWinter around the bridge pilings and rocks; fiddler crabs on a short leader.12Weedon Island PreserveFair · 59ReliableWinter on the oyster bars and pier structure; fiddler crabs.13Maximo ParkFair · 51ReliableWinter along the hard edges and shoreline structure; fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader.14Safety Harbor PierFair · 50ReliableWinter and spring on the pier pilings; fiddler crabs or shrimp dropped tight to the structure on a slack tide.15R.O.C. Park, Madeira BeachFair · 51ReliableWinter and early spring around the pier pilings and seawall; fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader.16Magnolia Drive Public DockFair · 51ReliableWinter and spring on the dock pilings; fiddler crabs or shrimp dropped straight down on a slack tide.17Nature Park, Redington ShoresLow · 49ReliableWinter and spring on the dock pilings and nearby seawalls; fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader dropped tight to the wood.18Blind Pass Jetty (Upham Beach)Fair · 59ReliableWinter and spring on the rocks; fiddler crabs dropped tight to the structure.19Pier 60Fair · 59ReliableLate winter on the pilings; fiddler crabs or shrimp fished tight to the concrete.20R.E. Olds ParkFair · 57ReliableJanuary to March on the pilings; fiddler crabs dropped straight down.21Fred Howard ParkGood · 65ReliableWinter around the rocks at the island ends; fiddler crabs.22Gandy Beach and CausewayFair · 58ReliableWinter fish near the bridge and any rubble; fiddler crabs.23Philippe ParkFair · 50ReliableWinter and early spring near rocks and shell; fiddler crabs or shrimp.24Pop Stansell ParkFair · 52ReliableFound on the pier pilings in late winter and spring; use fiddler crabs.25Wall Springs ParkFair · 53ReliableLate winter and spring on the pier pilings; fiddler crabs or shrimp fished straight down.
Plus 9 more rated spots in Pinellas CountyOpen the full map

Tactics for sheepshead

Top baits, best first

  1. Fiddler Crabs
  2. Live Shrimp
  3. Sand Fleas (Mole Crabs)
  4. Dead Shrimp

Rigs that work, best first

  1. Knocker Rig
  2. Split-Shot Rig
  3. Jighead

Sheepshead fishing elsewhere

Brevard CountyLee CountyVolusia CountyPalm Beach CountyDuval CountySarasota CountyMartin CountySt. Johns CountyCollier CountyManatee CountyBay CountyCharlotte CountyFlagler CountyFranklin CountyBroward CountyEscambia CountyHillsborough CountyLevy CountyOkaloosa CountyPasco CountySt. Lucie CountyIndian River CountyMiami-Dade CountyCitrus CountyWakulla CountyGulf CountySanta Rosa CountyTaylor CountyWalton CountyNassau County