Visit Caladesi Island State Park

Located at the northern tip of Clearwater Beach’s barrier island, Caladesi Island State Park offers pristine beaches, transient boater accommodations, a protected anchorage, and some of the Gulf Coast’s most beautiful natural coastline. 

Visitors can enjoy the island’s 3-mile nature trail that winds through 100-year-old pines and live oaks while sharing the path with abundant wildlife. Kayaks, beach chairs, and umbrellas are all available for rent on the island, and visitors can make use fo the island’s picnic areas and grills or order lunch from the cafe.  

There is no bad time to visit Caladesi Island State Park. Boaters looking to stay overnight in the park’s marina can reserve dock space ahead of time or cruise in and see what’s available. 

• Location: Google Maps Link

• Closest boat ramp:  Dunedin Boat Club boat ramp can be found on the mainland directly across from Caladesi Island State Park

• Lat/Long:  28.03299° N, -82.82225° W

Visit Egmont Key

Sitting just outside of the entrance to Tampa Bay near the southern tip of Pinellas peninsula, Egmont Key is a 280-acre island and wildlife refuge accessible only by boat. The island also provides docks for private vessels.

Surrounded by beautiful beaches, this national wildlife refuge and state park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including more than 1000 gopher tortoises, while a large group of loggerhead turtles also nest here each year. 

The northern half of the island is home to the island’s wildlife refuge, while the southern 97 acres provide a dedicated bird sanctuary for over 100 species of migratory, wintering, and resident birds. Thousands of birds of different species live together on the island between April and August. 

Egmont Key is also home to the ruins of several historical structures such as Fort Dade, a left-over from the Spanish-American War, and the island’s 150-year-old working lighthouse. 

• Location: Google Maps Link

• Closest boat ramp: Fort De Soto Boat Ramp in the Fort De Soto Park near the southern tip of Pinellas peninsula

• Lat/Long: 27.59532° N, -82.76308° W 

Fish in Tampa Bay or Offshore in the Gulf of Mexico

Whether fishing the depths of the Gulf of Mexico, inshore along the beautiful beaches, or in the 400 square miles of Tampa Bay waters, the Clearwater area has no shortage of species to hunt with a rod and reel. 

Head offshore to chase everything from marlin and tuna to mahi-mahi and swordfish. Although the Gulf’s famed 1000-mile curve is a long ride out, the trip will almost certainly be rewarded with an elusive sailfish, tasty tuna, or monster billfish peeling out line. 

If the weather isn’t ideal for a deep sea trip or a shorter ride sounds more attractive, stay close to the coast or inside the barrier islands and hunt for king mackerel, wahoo, snook, tarpon, and many other fun and tasty creatures. 

Deep Sea Fishing in the Gulf

• Target species: Marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, tuna, 

• Seasonality: There is plenty to catch year-round, check with local bait and tackle shops for the best time to hunt your favorite species

• Boat selection: Center consoles, sportfish, and convertibles for deeper water 

Fishing Inshore

• Target species: Wahoo, mackerel, cobia, shark, tarpon, snook

• Seasonality: May through September are usually the best months

• Boat selection: Flats skiffs, center consoles, runabouts, pontoon boats

Fishing Tampa Bay

• Target species: Redfish, flounder,  snapper, cobia, tarpon, snook

• Seasonality: There is something to catch year-round, check with local bait and tackle shops for the best time to hunt your favorite species

• Boat selection: Center consoles, runabouts, aluminum fishing boats, and pontoon boats