Anclote Gulf Park Pier Fishing

The Anclote Gulf Park Pier is a long county fishing pier over the grass flats of Pasco County's Gulf coast, with Anclote Key on the horizon. It is a friendly, accessible pier with a mixed bag all year.

• A long walkway out over the flats along a channel edge
• Sheepshead, trout, snapper and mackerel
• Restrooms, a playground, shelters and parking in the park
• A boardwalk links the park to Key Vista Nature Park next door

Anclote Gulf Park is at 2305 Baillies Bluff Road in Holiday, Pasco County, west of US 19 and just north of the Anclote River, near the Pinellas County line and Tarpon Springs.

• Hours: the county's park page does not list hours for the pier (the park's dog park is open dawn to dusk); check the posted times before an early or late trip
• Entry: no parking fee is listed; the county's paid parking is at its two boat ramps elsewhere
• Parking: on-site lot; it fills on weekends
• The walk: a flat path to the pier and a long level walkway out over the water
• A boardwalk links the park to Key Vista Nature Park next door

The grass flats and pilings hold fish year-round.

• Spring (Mar–May): sheepshead peak; Spanish mackerel and cobia pass; trout on the flats
• Summer (Jun–Aug): mangrove snapper, ladyfish and jacks; snook along the shoreline; fish early to beat the heat
• Fall (Sep–Nov): mackerel return, trout and redfish at their best
• Winter (Dec–Feb): sheepshead and the odd black drum on the pilings; trout on warm afternoons

Two rods cover it: one light for casting, one medium for the pilings.

• 7-foot medium-light spinning rod, 10 lb braid, 20 lb fluorocarbon for trout and mackerel
• 7-foot medium rod, 20 lb braid, 30 lb leader for pilings, redfish and snook
• Fiddler crabs or shrimp on a 1/0 hook with a small split shot for sheepshead
• Popping cork and shrimp for trout
• Silver spoons and Gotcha-style plugs for mackerel
• A pier net or drop net for lifting fish to the deck

Tides here are mixed, usually two uneven highs and lows a day with a typical range of about 3 feet, and the flats around the pier are shallow.

• The rising tide is usually best, especially the first half
• Dead low water leaves the inner section very shallow; fish the far end of the pier then
• Clear, calm mornings are best for sight-casting to fish over the grass
• Strong west or southwest winds make the far end choppy and muddy the water

This is one of the more accessible piers on this coast.

• Level path and walkway from the parking lot
• Summer afternoon lightning: the long pier is exposed, so leave early
• Crowded decks at weekends: watch your backcast
• Heat and sun: there is little shade on the pier, so bring water and a hat
• Dogs are not allowed on the pier; the park has a fenced dog park instead

The park has good basic facilities.

• Restrooms, a picnic area and shelters
• A playground and a fenced dog park (dawn to dusk)
• Canoe and kayak access
• No bait shop in the park; bring bait with you
• A boardwalk and trail through the park to Key Vista Nature Park
• Bring shade and water; the pier deck is exposed

Some pointers from regulars.

• Sheepshead fishing is best from late winter into spring; bring plenty of fiddler crabs
• The far end of the pier sees the most water movement and the most fish
• Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends
• Look for mackerel busting bait in spring and fall and have a spoon rigged
• Combine a trip with Key Vista Nature Park's trails next door, or watch for birds from the pier
• Anclote Key, offshore, is reached only by boat

Anclote Gulf Park is a Pasco County park, and the county lists its fishing pier among the park's features.

• Obey the posted park hours
• No dogs on the pier (county park rules)
• Snook and other species have their own seasons and rules; check FWC
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.