The Florida Gulf Coast offers a verity of kayak fishing locations. There are launch areas that lead to finger channels, oyster bars, mangrove lined canals, and grass flats. You can find public access at parks, causeways, and bridges. All a short paddle to prime fishing grounds. Here are my favorite Tampa bay area kayak launches, access points, and fishing grounds. Provided are the links to the satellite image and map of each spot by clicking on the name of each location below.

  1. Upper Tampa Bay Park: A beautiful park located in Oldsmar, Florida in the upper tampa bay. It is located off of Hillsborough Ave./Tampa Rd. on Double Branch Rd. There is ample free parking and a floating kayak launch dock.
  2. Big Island: Mangrove islands near the feather sound just off of the I275 (Howard Franklin) Bridge. You can park anywhere just off the bridge
  3. Weedon Island: on the St. Petersburg side of Tampa Bay (south of Gandy Bridge). Great Mangrove and Grass Flats fishing in a no motor zone. A great place to go if you dont want the buzz of an outboard. A power plant is located close by which attracts fish by providing warmer water in the winter.
  4. Ft. Desoto Park:A beautiful park located at the entrance to the Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg. Over looks the sunshine skyway bridge and egmont key. The park consists of many keys and provideds lots of paddling room. Many diffrent launches in this park.
  5. Caladesi Island: Island located off the intercostal water way in dunedin/clearwater. Many diffrent launch spots including the honeymoon island causeway and dunedin boat launch.