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fishing pier in Florida

Fishing Piers in Florida

Fishing piers in Florida are your gateway to a delightful, low-stress  angling experience. Soak up the sunshine on a scenic coast as you cast a line from a pier jutting out over crystal-clear water. 

These iconic structures offer more than just breathtaking views and the potential to catch a variety of fish while creating a memorable Florida adventure. And some of the best Florida fishing piers also have shops, concessions and restrooms available!

However, with some piers boasting more amenities than others, a little planning goes a long way. We’ve compiled all the information you need on Florida’s top 10 fishing piers. Choose the perfect spot and ensure you have everything you need for a successful and relaxing day.

The best part? Most Florida fishing piers don’t require a fishing license. You have a great chance at catching some really great fish without a boat or need to buy a license! How great is that?! 

Top 10 Florida Fishing Piers

Juno Beach Fishing Pier, Florida
Juno Beach Fishing Pier

Florida, the Sunshine State, is a haven for fishing anglers. With miles of coastline and an abundance of fish, there’s no shortage of amazing places to cast a line. 

But if you’re looking for a more relaxed fishing experience, or perhaps don’t have a boat (even if you’ve never held a fishing rod before, then look no further than these 10 fishing piers:

Skyway Fishing Pier State Park (west coast)

Located on the gulf coast in Tampa Bay, this is the world’s longest fishing pier and well worth the visit! There is fishing gear rentals, snack shops and bait shops, and restrooms. This pier state park is a favorite for fishing enthusiasts because you can park within feet of your favorite fishing spot. 

The pier is lit at night so there’s a lot of night fishing activity as well. Common fish caught from pier fishing here include cobia, snapper, grouper, black sea bass, snook, tarpon and even sharks! For more information visit the official Skyway Fishing Pier State Park website here. 

Navarre Beach Fishing Pier (panhandle)

Stretching over 1,500 feet long, this pier is known as the longest fishing pier in the Gulf of Mexico. It has amazing views and offers the chance to catch red snapper, amberjack, sheepshead and more! The waters are the most beautiful crystal blue, and one of the most relaxing and beautiful beaches in Florida to enjoy. 

You can rent a fishing pole and grab your bait there, and there’s also an outdoor restaurant to make your day even more enjoyable. Check hours of operation, admission fees and more about the pier here: Navarre Beach Fishing Pier

Venice Fishing Pier (west coast)

Located on the Gulf Coast, this pier is known for its abundance of Spanish mackerel, redfish and sea trout. It also has a bait shop, snack foods and restrooms. 

For more information on visiting this pier including hours of operation, admission fees plus information on Sharky’s restaurant, visit their website here: Sharky’s on the Pier Venice Fishing Pier

Naples Fishing Pier (NOT OPEN DUE TO HURRICANE IAN)

This pier was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022, and is being rebuilt. It IS partially open, though no fishing is currently allowed. We are keeping this in our top 10 list because… it is being built bigger and better than ever! 

They plan to add new features including more shaded areas and more seating, and there will undoubtedly be concessions and bait and tackle shop… making this a top pier for fishing and fun.

The Naples fishing pier is located on the west coast of Florida and juts out of some of the best, most beautiful beach area in Florida. The water is crystal blue and the fish seem to love this area just as much as we do. 

When fishing here, it’s very common to catch Seatrout, pompano, sheepshead, snook, redfish, tarpon (and others). 

To stay updated on the construction and reopening of the Naples Fishing Pier, check their official website here: Naples Fishing Pier

 

Juno Beach Fishing Pier and history
Juno Fishing Pier Florida

Juno Beach Pier (east coast)

Juno Beach Pier is located on the east coast of Florida along the Treasure Coast. Beautiful blue water and a great beach to enjoy, and the pier offers a fantastic chance to catch some pompano, whiting, sheepshead, tripletail, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, snook, sandperch, barracuda and more. 

There’s a shop on site where you can buy some ice, snacks, cold drinks, sunscreen, hats, cool long sleeve sunshirts and souvenirs. 

This is a great pier to bring young kids, they have a reel (yes, it’s a pun and intended) chance at catching fish here! The water is normally calm and clear, so you may even see the occasional Right Whale swim by! Visit the Juno Beach Pier website for more information AND A LIVE WEBCAM!!!

Sebastian Inlet State Park Piers (east coast)

This is a beautiful Florida State Park, and offers two fishing piers (aka jetties). This is known to be one of the best fishing spots in Florida where you don’t need a boat. There’s a wide variety of fish to catch including founder, redfish, snook, snapper, and tarpon. 

There’s also an abundance of wildlife so if fishing isn’t your thing, you’ll still enjoy yourself. Rabbits, crabs, birds, AND MANATEES are just some of the wildlife you might encounter here.  Visit the website for more information, hours of operation, and more: Florida State Parks – Sebastian Inlet State Park Piers

Jacksonville Beach Pier (east coast)

This North Florida east coast fishing pier has beautiful views and a wide variety of fish to catch. There are concessions (snacks, cold drinks, sunscreen and hats, ice, etc. There are also rentals for rods and gear plus beach chairs and fun, on site as well. 

Visit the website for more information on admission fees, what to bring and what you can rent or buy there, : Jax Beach Pier

Here’s a live cam of the pier: Jax Beach Pier Livecam

Cocoa Beach Pier (east coast)

The Cocoa Beach area offers a whole experience, where fishing is just one part of the fun! This is vacation destination with several piers and jetties available for great fishing. 

There are also restaurants, gift shops, live entertainment events, shopping and… surf lessons! Check out this Cocoa Beach Surf Report and Surf Cam with great views of the historic Cocoa Beach Pier.

Here’s a great website for more information on fishing off the Cocoa Beach piers and jetties, here: Cocoa Beach Piers & Fish Camps

Port Canaveral Jetty Park Beach and Pier... plus Campground!

Plan to visit here, just do it. You won’t be disappointed. And if you love camping near the ocean, plan to spend a night or two.

Why you’ll love this place: if you time it right, you could watch a space shuttle launch, a submarine coming in, plus you can’t miss the cruise ships in and out of port daily. Often you’ll find food trucks, you can rent e-bikes, there’s tons of wildlife and beautiful beaches. 

Turtle nesting season along the beaches/coastline is March to October, so it’s very possible to see the occasional sea turtles around as well.

Here’s more information on day passes, campground and more, here: Port Canaveral .  And here’s more information on the fishing Port Canaveral fishing jetty/pier.

 

Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier (east coast)

This popular pier features a bait and tackle shop with rod rentals and everything else you need for a day of fishing. It’s common to catch snapper, pompano, mackerel, and even sailfish and marlin!

 Check the helpful Deerfield Beach Fishing Pier Fish Guide here. For more information on the fishing pier including fees and hours of operation, visit the official Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier website here. 

Deerfield Beach Fishing Pier Livecam here!

Why Fishing Piers in Florida Are Better Than Boats!

There are many reasons why pier fishing is a great option:

  • Easy access: No boat required! Piers offer a convenient way to reach deep water from shore.
  • Variety of fish: Piers are great for targeting a wide variety of fish species.
  • Fishing license included: most Florida fishing piers charge a small admission fee which covers your fishing license
  • Great for families: Piers are a safe and social way to enjoy fishing with family and friends.
  • Relaxing atmosphere: Soak up the sun and enjoy the beautiful scenery while you fish.
Florida beaches treasure coast

Plan ahead, and choose the best fishing pier that fits the experience you’re looking for. Some fishing piers are in the middle of tons of touristy fun including food and gift shops and beautiful beaches to enjoy. Others are more quiet and dedicated to the more serious fishing. 

But one thing’s for sure… when in Florida, everyone should experience a Florida Fishing Pier if for no other reason than to watch all the action and enjoy the beautiful views!

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