Tarpon fishing in Pinellas County
14 rated shore spots in Pinellas County hold tarpon — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.
Tarpon forecast map for Pinellas County
Every spot colored by how it fishes for tarpon right now. Scrub the timeline, tap a pin for its forecast, or go full screen.
When to go
In season nowJFMAMJJASOND
🌊 Fish the ebb tide.
Size, bag and season rules in Pinellas County
Catch and release only
Pinellas County
Rules set by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Keeping
- Return every fish
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 rulesBest tarpon spots in Pinellas County
1Skyway Fishing Pier (North)Good · 72ReliableMay to July, mostly at night; fish pass under the lights on the outgoing tide. Heavy tackle, quick release, and check FWC tarpon rules.2John's PassGood · 78ReliableMay to July tarpon roll in the pass at dawn; heavy tackle and quick release. Check FWC tarpon rules.3Fort De Soto Gulf PierGood · 70Worth a tryEarly summer fish pass the end; rarely landed from the deck. Check FWC tarpon rules.4Blind Pass Jetty (Upham Beach)Good · 75Worth a tryEarly summer fish pass the mouth; hookups are memorable but rarely landed. Check FWC tarpon rules.5Pass-a-Grille JettyGood · 75Worth a tryMay to July fish roll in the channel mouth at first light; hard to land from the rocks. Check FWC tarpon rules.6R.E. Olds ParkGood · 76Worth a trySummer fish rolling off the end at first light; heavy tackle, and check FWC release rules.7Fort De Soto North BeachGood · 70Worth a trySummer fish passing offshore at dawn; heavy tackle and a live bait. Check FWC tarpon rules.8Honeymoon Island State ParkGood · 78Worth a trySummer fish roll off the beach early in the day; hard to land from the sand. Check FWC tarpon release rules.9Pier 60Good · 76Worth a trySummer fish sometimes roll past the T; hooking one is possible, landing one from a pier is rare. Check FWC tarpon rules.10Anclote Key Preserve State ParkGood · 66Worth a trySummer fish rolling off the islands; hooked from shore now and then. Check FWC handling rules.11Safety Harbor PierFair · 62Worth a tryOccasional summer fish rolling at first light in the upper bay; heavy gear, and check FWC release rules.12Sunset Beach, Treasure IslandGood · 75Worth a trySummer fish roll past well offshore of the beach at dawn; hooking one from the sand is a long shot. Check FWC tarpon rules.13Weedon Island PreserveGood · 73Shows occasionallyJuvenile tarpon roll in the lagoons in summer; check FWC tarpon release rules.14Clam Bayou Nature ParkFair · 62Shows occasionallyJuvenile tarpon sometimes roll in the backwater at summer dawn; a small soft plastic. Check FWC tarpon rules.
Tactics for tarpon
Top baits, best first
- Threadfin Herring
- Finger Mullet
- Blue Crab
- Live Pinfish
Rigs that work, best first
- Tarpon Circle-Hook Rig
- Freeline Live Bait
- Slip Float Rig
