There’s no better place to fish than Florida. Every year, millions of people head to sea in search of huge hookups and delicious seafood. If you’re one of them, you’re in for a treat. But what if you don’t like boats? Simple: Fish from one of the many fishing piers in Florida. Almost every town has one, and most cities have a handful to choose from.
With so many fishing spots littered along Florida’s coastline, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a guide about seven of the best fishing piers in Florida. We’ll work our way around the state, showing you some of the best places to fish in Florida without a boat. Expect great views, huge fish, and a ton of fun from each one!
Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, Navarre
Address: 8579 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, FL 32566
Opening hours: May–October: 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., November–April: 6:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m..
Cost: $7 per angler ($6 for seniors and active military, and $4 for youths (5–15)). $1 per non-angler. Disabled veterans and kids under 5 go free.
License required? No
Navarre Beach Fishing Pier claims to be the longest pier in Florida. At 1,545 feet long, it’s certainly long enough to catch some monsters. Stay near the beach for Redfish, Flounder, Sheepshead, and Spanish Mackerel. Take a walk to the end, and you can battle King Mackerel, Cobia, and much more. Just ask the guys who hooked a Great White Shark here!
Navarre Beach Pier has everything you need for a full day out. There’s a tackle shop that stocks snacks, drinks, bait, and rental rods. The pier also has restrooms, a restaurant, and a fish cleaning station, as well as a huge, 3,800-square-foot fishing space at the far end. You won’t have to worry about bumping elbows, that’s for sure!
Skyway Bridge Fishing Pier State Park
Address: 4905 34th Street South #5000, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Opening hours: 24/7
Cost: $4 per vehicle, plus $4 per adult or $2 per child age 6–12 (kids under 5 go free).
License required? No
This converted road bridge spans the mouth of Tampa Bay, with a pier jutting out from either side. It offers unbeatable views of the Bay, as well as the famous Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It’s not the view that brings people here, though. It’s the fish. Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Cobia, Snapper, Grouper – with so many to choose from, it’s lucky the piers never close!
Skyway Bridge Fishing Pier State Park may not have that classic boardwalk feel, but it does come with some real perks. You can drive right up to your favorite fishing spot with all your gear, food, and anything else you want. If you forget anything, there’s a tackle shop at the end of each pier. It’s not the prettiest of St. Petersburg’s fishing piers, but it’s definitely the most convenient.
Venice Fishing Pier
Address: 1600 Harbor Dr. S, Venice, FL 34285
Opening hours: 24/7
Cost: Free!
License required? No
If you’re looking for a classic wooden walkway where you can reel in fish at any hour of the day or night, you should probably visit Venice. At around 700 feet long, Venice Fishing Pier gets you deep enough to reel in a real mix of species, from Sheepshead to Sharks. What’s more, it’s completely free to fish here – you don’t even need a license!
The pier has a bait shop halfway down that stocks everything you need for the day’s angling. As well as fishing gear, you can find snacks, drinks, and “Florida snow shovels” to rake the beach in search of Shark teeth. While using Shark fishing gear on the pier has been banned since 2019, there’s always the chance of landing one on light tackle!
Naples Pier*
Please note that Naples Pier is currently closed following damage sustained from Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Address: 25 12th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
Opening hours: Closed for fishing
Naples Pier took a real hit from Hurricane Irma back in 2017. It was closed for some time due to the damage, but after being reopened, it also sustained damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022. When back in action, you can take a stroll down its 1,000’ length and you can catch an awesome array of fish. You can also see dolphins playing in the water below and enjoy the unforgettable sight of the sun setting into the Gulf.
As Naples Pier recently was recently renovated, all the facilities here are brand new. The pier has cleaning stations, line collection boxes, restrooms, and concessions where you can pick up gear, snacks, and refreshments. And because it’s completely free to use, you can come and go whenever you want. This lets you enjoy the pier and the surrounding beaches to the fullest.
Juno Beach Pier
Address: 14775 U.S. Hwy 1, Juno Beach, FL 33408
Opening hours: March–October: sunrise until sunset. November–February: Sunday–Thursday 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday–Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Cost: $5 per angler ($3 for kids 12 and under). $2 per non-angler.
License required? No
Heading over to Florida’s Atlantic Coast, you’ll find that the water gets much deeper much quicker. That’s good news for anglers on Juno Beach Pier. It’s around 1,000 feet long, and boy can you find your fill of fish along its length. Start in the shallows with Snook, Bonefish, Permit, and Redfish. Head to the end for Kingfish, Snapper, Cobia, and even Sailfish!
The thing that sets Juno Beach Pier apart from the pack is its commitment to sustainability. The site is managed by the Loggerhead Marine Life Center, which works hard to keep its impact on the surrounding area to a minimum. From clearing up debris in the water around the pier to educating anglers on how to deal with entangled turtles, it’s a state leader in responsible angling.
Sebastian Inlet State Park Piers
Address: 9700 S Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
Opening hours: 24/7
Cost: $8 per vehicle (2–8 people). $4 per motorcycle or single-occupant vehicle. $2 per pedestrian/bicycle.
License required? Yes
Sebastian Inlet State Park has two jetties, one on either side of the inlet itself. They’re not the longest piers in Florida, but they don’t need to be. The rich waters of the Indian River mix with the open Atlantic Ocean here, making it a dream hunting ground for Snook, Redfish, Trout, Tarpon, and much, much more.
And of course, if you somehow get bored of fishing, you’re in the middle of a state park! Sebastian Inlet has beautiful beaches, great surf, wildlife tours, and a museum on the colorful history of the “Treasure Coast.” You can even camp in the park for a classic family vacation.
Jacksonville Beach Pier
Address: 503 North 1st Street, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Opening hours: 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 per non-Florida angler, $4 for Florida residents. $2 or $1 per non–angler. Kids under 6 go free.
License required? No
We’ve already featured this spot in our pick of the best piers in Jacksonville, but it deserves more fame than that. Almost a quarter-mile long, this wide, wooden fishing platform is the perfect place to catch the sunrise. While you’re there, you can also catch a trunkful of tasty fish. Think Redfish, Kingfish, and everything in between.
Considering how good the fishing is here, Jacksonville Beach Pier is a steal at twice the price. It costs just $4 or $5 per angler, which includes your fishing permit. Bring your own rods and reels or rent them from the handy tackle shop. Pack some lunch and enjoy it on one of the pier’s picnic benches. Even if you only fish for an hour, you’ll more than make your three bucks back in tasty seafood.
And So Many More!
With so many different fishing piers in Florida, this was a tough list to make. We tried to choose a spread of spots that offer something special. We also wanted to give you suggestions on fishing piers near you, wherever you’re going. There are plenty more out there, though, and you’ll have a blast on every one of them. That’s what they’re built for, after all!
We’ve made our list, now it’s your turn. What do you think are the best fishing piers in Florida? Have you fished from any of the ones on our list? What did you catch? Let us know your top picks and top catches in the comments below!
