Tennis Court Fishing Dock, Redington Shores

Tennis Court Fishing Dock is the small town-owned dock beside the Redington Shores tennis courts, on the inner coastal waters off Gulf Boulevard. It suits a quick evening of light-tackle fishing rather than a long day.

• Small public dock on sheltered bay water
• Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are the usual targets
• Beside lit tennis and pickleball courts
• A neighborly spot, so keep noise low

The dock is at 18325 Gulf Boulevard, Redington Shores, on the bay side of the road next to the Portside condominiums. The Town of Redington Shores lists it.

• Cost: the town lists no fee for the dock
• Courts: open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with metered lighting
• Parking: the town's page gives no parking details; use signed spaces only and respect the condominium's private lot
• The walk from the courts to the dock is short

The sheltered Intracoastal water holds a mix of pier-structure and flats fish.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and snook starting to move, with lingering sheepshead
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper around the pilings, ladyfish and jacks at dawn
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and snook along the edges, bait schools moving by
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum near the structure

Keep it light; the water is shallow and sheltered.

• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a small hook dropped beside the pilings
• Snapper: live shrimp on a light knocker rig
• Seatrout: a live shrimp under a popping cork
• Snook and redfish: a live pinfish or a small soft-plastic jig worked close to the dock
• Use 8 to 12 lb line and a short fluorocarbon leader

Boca Ciega Bay and the Intracoastal here follow two uneven tides a day.

• A moving tide fishes best; the hour either side of a change is the pick
• The dock is shallow at low tide, so a rising tide brings more fish
• Evenings and dawn beat the heat
• Calm, clear water makes for sight-fishing sheepshead in winter
• Rain muddies the water for a day or two

A small dock with few services, so keep a careful eye on your surroundings.

• Check the planks for rot before walking out
• Boat wakes from the Intracoastal slosh the dock
• Leave at the first thunder; there is no shelter
• Stay off the neighboring condominium's property
• Bring water and sun protection

The dock itself has few comforts.

• Small fishing dock beside the town's tennis and pickleball courts
• Courts with metered lighting
• No bait shop, restrooms or cleaning table confirmed; bring everything with you
• Shops and food are nearby along Gulf Boulevard

• Buy live shrimp before you arrive, since the dock has no bait
• Fish early or in the evening when the courts are quiet
• A cast net-free approach works best at a small dock, so use rod and reel only
• Combine with the Nature Park dock a short drive south if this one is slow
• Keep trash and line off the dock; neighbors watch it
• Check the town's page for any rule changes

The Town of Redington Shores lists the dock beside its tennis courts. The town does not publish dock-specific rules on the page we read, so read any posted signs.

• Courts are open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the town does not state dock hours
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless an exemption applies
• Shore-based shark fishing is restricted in neighboring towns and needs a free FWC permit, so do not target sharks here
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything