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Shore spot · PierFlorida Gulf State Waters: Tampa Bay RegionSheepshead · Open

Fort De Soto Bay Pier

27.61°N · 82.73°W

Species

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14-Day Forecast

Data from: ECMWF + GFS + BlueCaster
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24-Hour Conditions

All times EDT

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Conditions
Time
1 PM
Now
Score
78
Good
Tide
-0.0 ft ▲
Flooding
Current
—
Flood
Wind
4 kn
ENE · gusty
Sea state
Easy
1 ft chop
Air temp
76°
Warm
Weather
Partly cloudy
49% cloud
Hour 1 PM. Score 78 Good. Tide -0.0ft Rising ▲. Current +0.6kn Flood. Wind 4kn ENE G15. Sea 1 ft chop Easy. Air 75.7°.

Why this score

Current
Slack
Prime

Current regulations

In effect now

What you can keep at this spot today

Sheepshead
Retention open
Daily limit
8 per day
Possession
Not published
Size
Minimum 12"
Gear
Legal gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. Illegal: multiple hooks with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited.
Annual quota
Not published
Other
Minimum 12 inches total length. Vessel limit 50 per trip during March and April. State regulations extend into federal waters. Open year-round.
Other species here
Common Snook Retention openGray Snapper Retention openSpotted Seatrout Retention openRed Drum Retention openSpanish Mackerel Retention open
Always check with FWC ↗

Source: FWC · Florida Gulf State Waters: Tampa Bay Region · synced today

Seasonality

52-week view · today highlighted

When Sheepshead is best at this spot

Shoulder seasonShoulder season for Sheepshead
~3 more weeks in shoulder
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Peak seasonShoulder seasonOff season

SHORE PROFILE

FISHED FROM
Pier
ACCESS
On foot
No boat needed
GETTING THERE
The pier sits on the bay side of Fort De Soto Park next to the dog beach. Pay the park entry fee and park in the adjacent lot. The park is open sunrise to sunset.
HOW IT'S FISHED
Live shrimp on a popping cork

Nearby Spots

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Other productive spots within easy run

1 Mile Reef
Florida Gulf State Waters: Sarasota Bay Region
83
Top: Gray SnapperSHOULDER SEASON
Gray Snapper 83 · Sheepshead 83 · Spanish Mackerel 83
0006121824
10 kt E
H 3:16 AM · 0.7 m
L — · 0.0 m
St. Pete Beach Reef
Florida Gulf State Waters: Tampa Bay Region
85
Top: Spanish MackerelPEAK SEASON
Spanish Mackerel 85 · Gray Snapper 85 · Sheepshead 85
0006121824
6 kt E
H 3:23 AM · 0.7 m
L — · 0.0 m
Palma Sola Causeway
Florida Gulf State Waters: Sarasota Bay Region
85
Top: Spotted SeatroutPEAK SEASON
Spotted Seatrout 85 · Red Drum 85 · Common Snook 85
0006121824
11 kt E
H 4:07 AM · 0.8 m
L 1:32 PM · -0.0 m
Near Shore Reef
Florida Gulf State Waters: Sarasota Bay Region
84
Top: SheepsheadSHOULDER SEASON
Sheepshead 84 · Gray Snapper 84 · Spanish Mackerel 84
0006121824
11 kt E
H 4:07 AM · 0.8 m
L 1:32 PM · -0.0 m

About Fort De Soto Bay Pier

Fort De Soto Bay Pier extends into the waters of lower Tampa Bay near St. Petersburg, Florida, offering pier access to the bay's inshore species. Sheepshead lead the calendar from January through March, Spotted Seatrout peak in March–April and again in October–November, and Spanish Mackerel run strong in March–May and September–October. Common Snook arrive in April through June, Gray Snapper peak from May through August, and Red Drum close out the summer in August and September. Around the pier's structure, anglers work bottom fishing rigs with live fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and live shrimp for Sheepshead and Gray Snapper. Casting small spoons and metal jigs targets passing Spanish Mackerel, and live scaled sardines and live pinfish draw Common Snook.

CUSTOM ALERT
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Fort De Soto Bay Pier is one of the spots we track around St. Petersburg. More spots in St. Petersburg · All of Florida.

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