Bunces Pass Bayway Shoreline Fishing

Bunces Pass Bayway Shoreline is a rough, roadside shore beside a strong tidal pass that boat anglers rate highly. It is not a developed fishing spot, and shore anglers here need to be self-reliant.

• A hard-packed shoreline beside the Bayway bridge over Bunces Pass
• A pass known for snook, redfish, seatrout, tarpon and sheepshead
• No facilities on site
• Best for experienced anglers who can read current

The shoreline is on Pinellas Bayway South at the Bunces Pass bridge, between Tierra Verde and the Fort De Soto side.

• The state boating guide lists it as a paddlecraft access with no facilities, open sunrise to sunset and free
• OpenStreetMap shows a public parking area a short walk from the bridge; check signs and legal pull-offs before leaving a car
• The shore is described as a hard-packed beach, not a pier or deck
• Expect a short walk over sand and rough ground

The pass funnels bait and game fish on every tide, though catches from the bank are less consistent than from a boat.

• Spring (Mar-May): tarpon start to show, seatrout and redfish on the flats near the pass
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook and tarpon on strong tides, mangrove snapper near the bridge
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and snook feed hard on the outgoing tide
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead around the structure, seatrout and the odd black drum

Heavier spinning gear helps in the current, and weights need to be heavy enough to hold.

• Snook and tarpon: live pilchards or pinfish on 20 to 30 lb leader, cast up-current and drifted back
• Redfish: cut mullet or live shrimp on the bottom near the edge of the channel
• Seatrout: a jig or live shrimp under a popping cork on the grass edge
• Sheepshead: crabs or shrimp near the bridge structure where it is reachable
• Carry a long-handled net or lip grip if you land bigger fish

Tampa Bay has two uneven highs and lows on most days; the pass runs hard in the middle of each tide.

• Fish the last of the incoming and the first of the outgoing for the best flow with workable current
• Strong current at mid-tide can make casting and holding bottom hard
• Clear incoming water is best for sight casting
• Early morning and evening beat the midday heat
• Strong wind against the tide makes the pass choppy

This is a road shoulder and a tidal pass; take care.

• Strong current and boat wakes make wading unwise
• Boat traffic uses the channel; keep lines out of the lane
• Traffic on the Bayway is fast, so do not stand in the roadway
• Footing on hard-packed sand and rubble can be uneven
• Summer lightning arrives quickly; leave early

There are no facilities at the shoreline itself.

• No restrooms, water, bait or lights on site that we could confirm
• Fort De Soto Park and Tierra Verde shops are nearby for supplies
• Bring water, sunscreen and bait with you

• Stop at a Tierra Verde bait shop before you go, because nothing is sold here
• Watch the tide chart; slack water is the easiest time to fish the shore
• Buy bait rather than counting on catching it here
• Park only in marked areas and never on the roadway edge
• Wear polarized glasses to read the pass and the edge of the grass
• Release large snook and tarpon quickly and in the water

The state boating guide lists the access as open sunrise to sunset; the managing body was not confirmed.

• The managing body does not list fishing at this spot, so read the posted signs before you fish
• No facilities, and no fee is listed
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook, redfish and tarpon have their own rules; tarpon have release rules, so check FWC
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything