Fred Howard Park Fishing: Causeway and Beach Choices

Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs has a causeway, a beach and several different water uses. The useful fishing plan starts by separating those spaces. The swimming beach is not a convenient place to plant rods simply because parking is close.

Willets at the shoreline in Fred Howard Park, Tarpon Springs. Give feeding shorebirds room when choosing a fishing spot. Photograph dated 2018. Current access may differ. Credit: Trish Hartmann from Tampa, Florida, USA. CC BY 2.0. Image source. Resized and converted to WebP.

Featured image: Beach and coastal water at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs. Photograph dated 2018. Current access may differ. Credit: VitaleBaby at English Wikipedia. Public domain. Image source. Resized and converted to WebP.

Ask where fishing is currently allowed

Pinellas County lists fishing among the park's activities, alongside swimming and launching areas. Check the park diagram and current signs for the appropriate fishing edge. Keep the marked swimming area and windsurfing or kayak routes clear.

The causeway gives access to shallow coastal water, but not every shoulder is a parking place. Use authorized parking and keep traffic lanes unobstructed. Watch for cyclists and pedestrians when carrying rods.

Fish a shallow transition with light tackle

Spotted seatrout and redfish are reasonable targets around suitable grass and sand edges. A small paddletail is useful for searching water within reach. Cast across an opening and retrieve above the grass. Reduce weight if the jig is repeatedly buried in vegetation.

Shrimp beneath a float is a good alternative for a patient session. Set the float depth to the water in front of you. It should move through the chosen lane without dragging the bait into bottom snags or drifting into a launch area.

Keep wind from choosing an oversized sinker

A 7-foot medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid and 20-25 lb leader fit calm inshore conditions. Carry light jig heads, small hooks and spare leader. If wind makes the line uncontrollable, seek a permitted sheltered edge or stop; adding heavy lead can make the presentation worse.

Bring water and sun protection for the open causeway. Keep a towel for drying your hands, but wet your hands rather than gripping fish in a dry towel. Have pliers ready before a fish is landed.

Respect the park clock

Check current opening and closing times and allow time to pack before the gate closes. Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs is a separate nearby park with its own parking system. It is useful to compare access, but it is not a guaranteed fishing replacement when Howard's water is too low or windy.

A compact packing list

Pack	Starting choice
Rod and reel	7-foot medium spinning rod; 2500-3000 reel
Main line / leader	10-15 lb braid; 20-25 lb leader
First presentation	Shrimp under a float or small paddletail
Bottom contact	Keep bait and lures above grass and shell

Fish to recognize

These references help identify possible targets in the habitats discussed above. They do not document catches at this beach or guarantee that a fish is present on your visit.

Reference illustration of redfish showing its tail spot. — Red drum species reference, also called redfish. This is not a catch from this location. Credit: NOAA. Public domain (United States). Image source. Resized and converted to WebP.

Reference illustration of spotted seatrout showing spots along its back and tail. — Spotted seatrout identification illustration. This is not a local catch photograph. Credit: United States Fish Commission, 1910. Public domain (United States). Image source. Resized and converted to WebP.

Plan another nearby fishing stop

Access research checked September 24, 2026, using Pinellas County. Recheck closures and posted rules before traveling. Confirm your fishing license and current species-specific harvest rules with FWC before keeping fish.