Fishing & Kayaking
The mangrove creeks, grass flats and calm canals around Pinellas County are some of the easiest places in Florida to get on the water. You can paddle a marked trail in the morning, fish a flat in the afternoon and still be back for dinner. Here is where to go, what you need, and how far it is from our homes.
Where to kayak
Weedon Island Preserve, St. Petersburg
The preserve keeps a self-guided South Paddling Trail of about four miles that winds through mangrove tunnels, with launches on the bay. ECOmersion rents kayaks and paddleboards at the preserve. Tides matter in the mangrove tunnels, so plan your paddle for higher water. From Hibiscus House in Pinellas Park it is about 19 minutes’ drive.
Fort De Soto Park
4.8Fort De Soto has a marked paddling trail of about two miles through mangroves, seagrass beds and oyster bars. It takes an hour or two, and canoe and kayak rentals are available at the park. See the parks and nature guide for the rest of the park.
Shell Key Preserve
5Shell Key is an island preserve you can only reach by watercraft. Get Up and Go Kayaking runs tours to it from Tierra Verde. You can also launch yourself from the Pinellas Bayway kayak launch and paddle west.
Fishing
Florida requires a saltwater fishing license for most anglers. Guests on a licensed charter or with a licensed fishing guide are covered by the captain’s license and do not need their own. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) also sells short-term visitor licenses, and its website lists who is exempt. A local guide can take you after snook, redfish and trout on the grass flats, and the St. Pete Pier has fishing as well. The famous John’s Pass fishing fleet is close to our St. Petersburg and Seminole homes.
Fish and paddle from your rental
Several of our homes are on the water. Largo has three waterfront homes: On the Creek, Tortuga Hideaway and Goodtimes Waterfront. Casa Blue Horizon in Indian Rocks Beach is on the water and lists kayaks. Check each home’s page for what is included, and see all our homes.
How far is each launch point?
| Drive time (minutes) | Indian Rocks Beach | Largo | St. Petersburg | Seminole | Pinellas Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weedon Island Preserve | 40 | 27–37 | 29 | 27 | 19 |
| Fort De Soto Park | 49 | 35–47 | 36 | 37 | 33 |
| Pinellas Bayway, Shell Key launch | 45 | 31–42 | 31 | 33 | 28 |
| St. Pete Pier | 41 | 25–36 | 29 | 31 | 23 |
Approximate driving minutes from our homes in each area, without traffic. Largo shows the range across its three homes. Real trips vary with traffic and season.
Tips
- Go early. The water is calmer and the light is best.
- Bring water, sunscreen and bug spray.
- Check the tide and weather before you paddle a mangrove trail.
Afterwards, refuel with our dining guide, or add a sunset cruise to the trip.
Good to know
For saltwater fishing, most people do. A licensed charter or guide covers its passengers. Visitors can buy short-term licenses from the FWC, and its site lists the exemptions.
Weedon Island Preserve and Fort De Soto both have marked paddling trails through mangroves and are good starting points. Rentals are available near each.
Some of our waterfront homes are on calm canals and creeks, and Casa Blue Horizon lists kayaks. Ask us about the home you are considering.
The South Paddling Trail is about four miles. Most people allow a few hours, and it depends on the tide and your pace.
Some waterfront homes have docks. A saltwater license is needed unless you are exempt, so check the FWC rules before you go.
It depends on the activity, and the drive-time table on this page shows it for each area. Our homes are in Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Seminole and Pinellas Park, all a short drive from the Gulf beaches.
Stay close to it all
Private pool vacation homes, a short drive from the Gulf beaches: