Egmont Key & Fort De Soto Mullet Run
The mouth of Tampa Bay — Egmont Key, the shipping channel, and Fort De Soto's piers — where one of Florida's largest estuaries empties into the Gulf.
Updated September 27, 2026
About Egmont Key & Fort De Soto
Tampa Bay's mullet leave through the bay mouth around Egmont Key and the passes of Fort De Soto. From there many hug the barrier islands south before heading offshore.
Fort De Soto Park's Gulf and Bay piers are the main shore access; Egmont Key itself is reached only by boat or ferry.
Why fish here during the run
- A huge bay draining through a handful of gaps.
- The piers put you over deep, moving water.
- Tarpon, snook, and sharks stack up on the bay mouth in the fall.
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Angler tips
- Fish the Gulf Pier on a strong ebb after a front.
- Watch Bunces Pass and the park's shorelines for bait moving south.
- Boaters: stay clear of the shipping channel.
Access & conditions notes
- Fort De Soto Park has a parking fee; piers are open daily.
- Egmont Key State Park is boat or ferry access only.
- Wind, pressure, and water temperature come from the NOAA St. Petersburg station.
Map pin: 27.6150°N, 82.7350°W · Egmont Key and Fort De Soto at the Tampa Bay mouth
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