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 hundreds of 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 to 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: March–April: 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., May–October: 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., November–February: sunrise to sunset.
Cost: $7 per angler (seniors and active military $6). $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 1545 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 out 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.
Fishing Booker, excerpt posted on SouthFloridaReporter.com, June 22, 2019
