Fort De Soto Bay Pier Fishing

Fort De Soto Bay Pier is the park's bay-side pier, shorter and calmer than the Gulf Pier, with a wide view over the mouth of Tampa Bay to the Skyway and Egmont Key.

• Easier water for children and beginners, with less current than the Gulf side.
• Structure-loving bay fish: sheepshead, snapper, reds, trout and drum.
• The ferry to Egmont Key and Shell Key leaves from beside the pier.
• The far end of the pier is closed for hurricane repairs until after the park's boat ramp work, expected to finish in late 2026.

The Bay Pier is on the bay side of Fort De Soto Park, beside the park's ferry landing, reached through Tierra Verde on the Pinellas Bayway.

• Getting there: take the Pinellas Bayway (toll) south to the park entrance, then follow signs for the Bay Pier.
• Parking: the park's daily parking fee ($6, paid by app, text or pay station) becomes $3.50 an hour, capped at $12 a day, from December 1, 2026.
• The walk: a short level walk from the lot onto the pier.
• Hours: 7 a.m. to sunset, the same as the park; special events keep the park closed until 9 a.m. on October 18, October 31 and November 14, 2026.
• Works: the far end of the pier is closed, and the main park road and trail are being repaved into early 2027.

Classic Tampa Bay structure fishing.

• Spring (Mar–May): sheepshead finishing, trout on the grass, Spanish mackerel arriving.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): mangrove snapper on the pilings, snook near the shoreline, ladyfish schools.
• Fall (Sep–Nov): redfish in the shallows, mackerel again, flounder moving in.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): sheepshead and black drum around the pilings; trout on warmer afternoons, and flounder on the sand between the pilings.

Light spinning tackle with 10–20 lb line and a fluorocarbon leader.

• Sheepshead and drum: a 1/0 hook on a short leader with a 1/2 oz sinker and fiddler crab or shrimp, dropped straight down beside the pilings.
• Snapper: a light knocker rig and live shrimp.
• Trout and reds: a popping cork with live shrimp, or a 1/4 oz jig with a soft plastic worked over the grass.
• Mackerel: small spoons when bait shows.
• Bait: small hooks for pinfish give you live bait for snook and reds.

Tides at the mouth of Tampa Bay are mixed: most days bring two highs and two lows of unequal size, and some days only one of each, with a typical range of about 2 feet between high and low. The flow here is gentler than at the Gulf Pier.

• Best: the incoming tide, which brings clean water and bait across the grass.
• The first hours of the outgoing can also fish well for reds and trout along the edges.
• Wind: calm mornings are best; a strong northeast wind in winter can make the bay choppy and muddy.
• Light: early morning at opening; the pier closes at sunset.

Level and close to parking, it is one of the more accessible piers in the area; stay out of the closed far end while repairs are pending.

• Lightning: summer storms build fast; leave the pier promptly.
• Ferry and boat traffic: keep lines clear of the ferry landing and boats.
• Sun: limited shade; bring water and sun protection.
• Children: supervise them near the closed section.
• No wading: county rules allow wading only in designated areas.

Park facilities are close by, but the concession is at the Gulf Pier.

• Restrooms, picnic shelters and grills are in the park.
• Bait and food: the park's food and bait concession is at the Gulf Pier, and all concessions are cashless; bring live bait with you.
• Ferry: trips to Egmont Key and Shell Key (fee charged) leave from beside the pier.
• Parking: paid parking throughout the park.

• Buy live shrimp and fiddler crabs before you reach the park.
• Fish tight to the pilings for sheepshead; the bite is a light tap, so strike early.
• Try the Bay Pier when a west wind makes the Gulf Pier rough.
• Watch the tide chart and arrive for the start of the incoming.
• Check the county's Know Before You Go page for the pier repairs and special-event openings before driving out.
• Combine a morning's fishing with the fort and North Beach later in the day.

The Bay Pier is managed by Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources as part of Fort De Soto Park.

• Pier and park hours are 7 a.m. to sunset; stay out of the closed far end of the pier.
• County code allows fishing in county parks only in designated areas, such as the fishing piers, never from a beach area designated for swimming, and allows wading only in designated areas.
• The county states a fishing license is required throughout the park, including the piers: a Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• Keep clear of the ferry landing and follow posted pier rules.
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit.
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.