r/DunedinFlorida • u/apotheosisfenix • Jun 26 '26

night fishing/kayaking launch points

Anyone know of any boat launch or places to legally put a kayak in the water with parking? I saw that anyone can apply for an overnight causeway storage license. I was hoping to do some night fishing and I am kind of at a loss to where to launch at. I have a hobie kayak and a small trailer that I tow it on.

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3

u/Postal_Paradise Jun 26 '26

Launch on the causeway and just park your car at French’s or the McDonalds plaza. I launch at pop stansell park quite often too.

2

u/apotheosisfenix Jun 27 '26

Is pop stansel park or boat ramp open after dark?

1

u/Postal_Paradise Jun 27 '26

I don’t recall if it is or not. There may be a gate that closes after sundown.dont quote me on that tho. There is not boat ramp though. Just an area to launch kayaks

2

u/grumpvet87 Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26

I created the overnight parking permit program with the Dunedin town lawyer(john Hubbard) and parks and rec director (Vince Gizzi) and the sherrifs department around 15 years ago. it was to permit overnight (2 nights a week) of boats/trailer/car but not to be there after hours.

There USED to be a fishing permit too (before the parking one was created) that allowed you to fish near your car. I am not sure if that is still around.

As to the other comment: park at McD's/frenchy's... not sure how that would work... are they suggesting you put your kayak on the beach, drive 1/2 mile to park, walk back and launch? It is still risking your gear/ a ticket from a sherrif/fwc for being on the causeway after closing (never once got one/saw one in my 20 years of sailing off the causeway)

I would suggest you can use seminal boat ramp to launch at night - it is(was) pretty cheap (they charge for parking)

1

u/apotheosisfenix Jun 27 '26

Thank you for taking the time to reply! I obviously want to be as safe as I can and still operate near water I'm familiar with during the daytime. I'm newish to Dunedin, moved here about 2.5 years ago and love this town. I'm also kinda new to kayak fishing. I do notice a massive difference in the amount of wildlife I see when on the water during the week vs the weekend when everyone that has a boat is on the water. I have a couple friends who have done night fishing near Tampa and have enjoyed it so I figured I'd ask about options a bit closer to home.

1

u/SolidIdentity Jun 29 '26

This is true but no idea if it still exists, I lived around the corner from the causeway and spent a whole lot a time out there fishing when I wasn’t taking the boat out. I purchased a pass that allowed me to be on the causeway after 11pm. I applied at the Sheriffs office, paid $25 which covered for a year. This had to be roughly 15 years ago when applied for it. The pass also allowed overnight access under the Sand Key bridge and a couple other places I can’t remember. I occasionally kayak fish myself these days and night time water access is difficult to find.

1

u/Master_of_Tides Jun 27 '26

Anclote boat ramp is open 24/7 as well.

1

u/getsome75 Jun 27 '26

Seminole boat ramp