9 Best Fishing Piers in Florida That are Worth Visting
Florida is a dream fishing spot, no doubt! It is not false to say that Florida has the world’s finest, beautiful and diverse fisheries. From the Gulf of Mexico to the clear waters of the Atlantic Coast, there are several spots for all fishing lovers. This Sunshine State has it all. Flats, reefs, mangroves, deep trenches, Florida has embraced all of these beautiful water bodies. If you are a fishing lover, this place is your haven. We have compiled all of our favorite fishing spots in Florida, to help you choose, what’s your next spot.
It is difficult to choose the best fishing piers in Florida. This area has many amazing spots for fishing lovers. The large state of Florida is surrounded by two huge bodies of water. The best part about this place is the responsible management. They make sure you have a safe fishing experience.
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As a fishing lover, Florida is one of the best attraction spots for you. It has over 7700 water bodies that constitute some amazing Florida lakes. With our suggestions, you will be able to cover all the hottest fishing spots. The ‘Sportfishing Capital of the World‘ welcomes you with open arms. It’s time to dive right in!
1. Dania Beach Fishing Pier
This one was in our list for a long time. There is no way that this spot will disappoint you as a fish lover. Located in the hotspot area of Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, this welcomes many fishers all through. If you are trying to fish here, in the holiday season, it is advised to book early. There are chances that you will not get a spot here.
This is a fantastic Florida fishing pier located on the beautiful Atlantic coast. It is open all year through, so you can book your spot any time of the year. Most fishers flock here, due to the huge availability of a variety of fishes. Yellow Tail Snapper, Cero Mackeral, Mutton Snapper, Bluefish, Snook, B.A. Barracuda can be easily found in Dania Beach Fishing Pier.
There is another attraction in this beach area. A famous fish restaurant is available for you. You can pop in for a quick snack and enjoy many fish delicacies. They also allow pets but, you need to take permission from the authorities before taking them inside.
Address: 300 N Beach Road, Dania Beach, FL 33004
Cost: $3 for adults and $1 for usual sightseeing activities
License Required: No
2. Jacksonville Beach Pier
This is truly a great spot for hanging out with your pals, enjoying a beer while fishing. There are many fishing piers in Jacksonville Florida, but there is no way you can miss the beach. It is a great place for amateur fishers. You can easily engage in many fishing-related activities from the shore. Once you start feeling confident, head over to the beach.
Tourists can go to the Gulf Stream via boat and catch beautiful fish. These boats are available throughout the fishing hours, so you need not make any special reservations. However, holiday times are different. Due to the huge crowd, authorities insist on prior reservations.
When it comes to catching fish breeds like pompano, black drum, sea trout, flounder, snapper, grouper, tarpon, cobia, etc. this is the perfect fishing pier in Florida.
Dani May who visited the beach spoke to us about her great experience. She said, “It is a wonderful adventure. You can enjoy fishing here. The people are great and the authorities are friendly. What’s more to ask for!” This is a great spot to check out!
Address: 503 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, Fl.
Cost: $500 for a full-day trip for 3 people and $400 for a half-day trip for 3 people.
License Required: Yes
3. Navarre Beach Fishing Pier
We cannot miss this one out when we count the best fishing piers in South Florida. It is the most favorite tourist spot of all and rightly so! All year through, this fishing pier welcomes guests and fishers. It is a must-visit pier if you want to enjoy Southern Florida beaches.
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Navarre Beach Fishing Pier falls under those public fishing piers in Florida Gulf Coast, that have other activity spots than fishing. It is the most exciting part of this pier. You will find many small cafes and restaurants near this spot. After you are done with the fishing experience, visit these eateries.
Since it is the longest fishing pier in Florida, needless to say, it is filled with unique quality fish. Your fishing-lover soul will be definitely fond of this pier! Redfish, Flounder, Sheepshead, and Spanish Mackerel are the common fishes found here. If you are lucky, you might even get King Mackerel and Cobia. If we talk about the best part of these public fishing piers in Florida Gulf Coast, it is the huge 3,800-square-foot fishing space. You won’t bump elbows with anyone for sure!
Address: Near 8579 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, FL 32566
Cost: $7 per angler ( for seniors and active military $6) and $1 per non-angler. Those who are disabled veterans and kids under 5 can go free.
License Required: No
4. Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
Thinking of visiting the best fishing piers in Florida? We have the perfect spot for you. Skyway Fishing Pier State Park has been a tourist favorite for many years. This pier is spread across the beautiful Tampa Bay. Needless to say, it is the most visited fishing piers in Tampa. Even if you are not a fishing lover, you can visit this spot as a day outing from Tampa. The view is beautiful, with clear skies about the spectacular architecture of Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
These are the most common fishes found in this pier-Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Cobia, Snapper, and Grouper. Isn’t it a delight? Even there are various eateries available near this pier, so you can spend quality time there with your family.
Shay Menon, a 43-year-old, avid fishing lover, comes to this spot, every year with his friends to visit this beautiful fishing pier in Florida. He says, ‘I can never get bored of this spot. It is so beautiful! The people, the fishes, everything! It is a must-visit for all fishing lovers and even folks who want to have fun.’
Address: 905 34th Street South #5000, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Cost: Per vehicle $4, plus per adult $4. If a child between the ages of 6-12 accompanies you, $2 needs to be paid. Kids under 5 can go free.
License Required: No
5. Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
Want to enjoy the amazing fishing piers in Pensacola? Head to the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier. This pier is famous for family entertaining. It is mostly because the family-friendly Casino Beach lies near to it. If you are a fishing lover, there is no way that this spot will disappoint you. Bluefish, Pampano, Spanish Mackeral can be easily found here. In good seasons, even seatrouts are easily found.
This is not only one of the greatest fishing piers in Florida but also allows tourists to have fun on the beach. You will be able to see rays, sharks and dolphins. There is an arrangement on the beach for you to rent tables and chairs to sit and enjoy the evening sun.
The best part? The beautiful sunset. After you are done fishing, you can enjoy a cool beer with your friends, relaxing on this beautiful beach. In total, this pier is a must-visit for all kinds of tourists.
Address: 41 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL-32561
Cost: $7.50 per angler for adults. Discounts are available for military personnel, disabled people, and kids under 5.
License Required: No
6. Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
If you are traveling with family and want to enjoy some fishing Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier is the spot for you. It is an amazing fishing pier in Destin Florida that enables a huge crowd, all time of the year. It is wrong to say that Florida has many great fishing spots, but this sure has been a favorite of many for years.
The most unique part of this place is the ‘plain sight‘ fishing you can do. Locals call this spot, ‘a beginner’s paradise’. The water and weather above remain calm and quiet. Despite the huge crowd, you can always enjoy a peaceful moment with yourself while fishing here. And the fishes? This pier is full of beautiful tarpons, red drums, and king mackerel.
You can have a good interactive session with the locals too, while you fish. They are the friendliest bunch in the whole of Florida. If you have kids, they can run and play around this pier and make some friends. Since it falls among the public fishing piers in Florida Gulf Coast, safety is not an issue. If you have to come to this pier for the first time here are two quick tips:
- Go early in the around dusk, you will catch more fish.
- Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreens; the sun is harsh on this pier
Address: 1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Cost: $7 for adults and $3 for kids. Disabled people and military personnel will get special discounts.
License Required: No
7. Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier
Who has not heard about the wonderful waters of Cocoa Beach? Tourists flock to this place in all seasons. Locals have observed some people visit this place in off-seasons too, just to avoid the crowd. Along the beach, you are sure to notice the Cocoa Beach Pier. This place is one of the best fishing piers in Florida and rightly so.
There’s so much you can do as a fisherman. And the most amazing part is engaging with other fishermen. Cocoa Beach is proud to have many fishing clubs, that organize group fishing, competitions, and even an evening fishing discussion too. You can join these clubs, free of cost, and engage in fun events with other fishing lovers!
Redfish, Whiting, Pompano, Tarpon, Snapper, Wahoo, Sheepshead, Flounder, Jack, Bluefish, Sea Trout, Black Drum, Croaker, and Grouper can all be found in this public fishing pier in Florida. Isn’t it exciting to visit this pier then?
Plan a short trip with your friends and family. This pier cannot disappoint any fishing lovers. Needless to say, you can also enjoy the various food and drinks available near the beach. You are bound to be hungry after the exciting fishing experience here!
Address: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Cost: $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for senior citizens (+55) and children who are under 12, $2.00 for spectators.
License Required: No
8. Pier 60
Whenever you hear someone talking about Pier 60, assume they are great fishing lovers! Who else other than fishing lovers will visit this famous spot? All year through, you will find fishers flock to this pier to tick off a great spot from their Florida fishing pier list.
Fishes like Spanish Mackerel, Spotted and Silver Trout, Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Sheepshead, Snapper, Flounder, Jacks, and so much more can be found easily here. All you need to do is head off to the beach, pop open a can of beer, and enjoy the experience.
Pier is not only the most perfect of all fishing piers in Florida, but the restaurants here, are famous too! You can enjoy a post-fishing celebration feast with your friends and family here. At the end of the day enjoy the performances of street artists who make sure that all tourists have a gala time!
Address: 7 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Cost: $8 for adults and $6.75 for senior citizens.
License Required: No
9. Daytona Beach Pier
How can we forget this pier from our list! It has a unique variety of Whiting, Pompano, Flounder, Trout, Sheepshead, and Sharks here! The greatest highlight of this hidden gem is its uniqueness. Fishing in this wonderful pier is an amazing experience. Among the restaurants and hot-shot spots, how could we forget about the Joe’s Crab Shack! This is a must-visit too!
Palm trees surround the entire Daytona Beach area, and when the sun goes down, the place becomes magical. You can be lulled to sleep with the soft sounds of the waves in this place.
Florida’s beauty is never going to disappoint you. There is a reason why so many tourists flock to this place every year. The raw beauty and the welcoming nature of the locals are truly wonderful! Our list of fishing piers in Florida will surely help you to have a great time. Good luck fishing, everyone!
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FAQ – Best Fishing Piers in Florida
1. Do I need a fishing license to fish off a pier in Florida?
A: Some places allow you to fish freely. There are no restrictions or penalties involved. However, you need to be 100% sure. Florida State Police is strict. You will have to pay fines if you are caught fishing in some places without a license.
2. What do I need for pier fishing in Florida?
A: Anglers, license(for some areas), fish food, and some sunscreen of course. You can contact locals in the place for more information.
3. What kind of pole do you need for pier fishing?
A: A basic spinning rod, within 12-50 pounds will be ideal for pier fishing.
