Florida has the ultimate saltwater and freshwater fishing. Everyone knows that! Millions of visitors jump in cars and planes to visit the Sunshine State every year and many of them GO FISHING. How can you blame them?
We have some of the most well-equipped fishing piers in the nation, in the most picturesque places.
Florida has fishing piers all over both east and west coasts and the fishing is fantastic during the warm months and not bad at all during the winter months.
If you need to learn HOW TO FISH from a PIER, we have a huge guide for you.
Let’s look at the BEST 19 FISHING PIERS in Florida, you can fish without a boat. We’ll start with the best pier in the State, and probably in the entire USA – it’s on the west coast, over in St. Petersburg, Florida. Do you know the one? You’re going to have the BEST TIMES there, just like I did!
CLICK THE BIG PIER LINKS to see complete guides for each Fishing Pier!
1 – The Best Fishing Pier in Florida? The Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier!
The Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier in St. Petersburg, Florida on the west coast right next to Tampa, Florida in the middle of the state from north to south is the best fishing pier in the state without question. It’s probably the top pier in the entire nation, especially if you’re close by or driving through the area on vacation!
Guess what? It’s not just a fishing pier. It’s 2 of them! One on the north end in St. Pete and one on the south end in Bradenton. Both are huge areas to fish in and never get crowded because this pier is actually an old bridge that has been reappropriated as a pier that you can drive right up on!
Why Is the Sunshine Skyway Pier the Best?
- Drive your car or truck right up on the pier to fish!
- Camp out right on the pier or sleep in your car, it’s open 24-7!
- HUGE space means you’re never closer to anyone than you want to be. You’re free to move and there is always so much space around you to do so. You never feel crowded.
- Restrooms, bait shop, snacks, drinks, gear, and people to talk to are ON THE PIER at the end! Once you arrive, you really don’t need to leave!
- Catch pompano, snapper, Spanish mackerel, Kings, Goliath grouper, snook, redfish, flounder, sharks, crevalle jacks, sheepshead, pinfish for bait, black drum, and MORE.
Address: 4905 34th Street South #5000, St. Petersburg, Florida 33711.
GPS: North Pier Bait House 27.632576427405407 N, -82.66591888615542 W | South Pier Bait House 27.600124345724357 N, -82.6434121096517 W
Hours: Open every day for 24 hours. It never closes. This is one of the few piers in Florida like this!
Cost: $4 per vehicle, plus $4 per adult or $2 per child age 6–12 (kids under 5 go free).
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? No, a 24-hour fishing pass is included in the fee.
2 – Gulf Fishing Pier in Fort De Soto State Park
This one is also in St. Petersburg. I’m not going to go in any special order for the rest of the Florida fishing piers, I’ll group them by location. This one is in one of the prettiest natural state parks Florida has. It’s filled with small islands and odd coast that is ideal for all kinds of fishing.
The pier is about 900 feet long and quite nice. There is no bait shop here, but public restrooms are close by.
Address: Anderson Blvd, Tierra Verde, Florida 33715.
GPS: 27.61384465906802 N, -82.73993123325027 W
Hours: Open at 7 am. and closed at 8 pm. In bad weather, hours may change.
Cost: $5 per angler. Kids free.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? Yes, you’ll need one to fish here.
3 – Pier 60 Clearwater Fishing Pier
This is another of my favorite piers. It’s in Clearwater, Florida. This is above Treasure Island and below Tarpon Springs, and west of Tampa. It’s about the middle of the state from north to south.
Pier 60 has been around forever. I fished here when I first arrived in Tampa in 1991. I made frequent trips down to fish from there until nighttime and until I found the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers!
There is a bait shop with snacks right on the pier. They charge admission even if you’re just going to walk to the end of it ($1). The pier is about 660 feet over water and there is a lot of different fish to catch but snapper, sheepshead, redfish, snook, flounder, pompano, and Spanish mackerel are the most common catches.
Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, Florida 33767.
GPS: 27.977716324571347 N, -82.83224552278634 W
Hours: Open at 7 am. until 9 pm. nightly.
Cost: Adults 16+: $8, Seniors: $6.75, Children 15 and under: $5.25. Small frys – free.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? Included in the $8 fee.
4 – St. Pete Pier
This pier is super convenient if you’re living in or visiting St. Petersburg near 4th Street North or 9th Street… around there. The pier is on the east side of St. Pete bordering downtown.
The fishing area is quite small and at the end of the pier. There is a small bait shop with gear and drinks, and some snacks, so that’s nice when it’s open. The area can get crowded on the weekend and I’d definitely go to a bigger pier when Saturday/Sunday rolls around!
Address: 600 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
GPS: 27.77364580987282 N, -82.62219556809136 W (end of pier)
Hours: Open 5 am. to 11 pm. Nice early opening time!
Cost: Free – no cost.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? Yes, you need one.
5 – Fort Myers Fishing Pier
An idyllic area, Fort Myers is a haven for people looking for a quiet escape from the noise of the world. What better way to do it than to go fishing?!
Some of the fish caught at this pier include:
- snook
- redfish (red drum)
- grouper
- pompano
- speckled sea trout
- Spanish mackerel
- flounder
- cobia (rare)
- black sea bass
Address: 10 Old San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931.
GPS: 26.451588710083662 N, -81.95709683023817 W
Hours: Open 7 am. to 9 pm. daily.
Cost: There is no cost to fish from the pier.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? There is no license requirement to fish from the pier!
6 – Naples Fishing Pier
Recently re-opened after hurricane damage like almost every other fishing pier in Florida, this is a real beauty. Naples is a picture-perfect place to spend some time. Lots of retirees and great seafood restaurants. Naples is located south of Fort. Myers on the west coast (Gulf coast).
From Naples Fishing Pier it is easy to head up to Fort Myers or to go across the state and see Key West and Miami.
Address: 25 12th Ave S, Naples, Florida 34102.
GPS: 26.131445701422432, -81.80892423584801 (end of pier)
Hours: Open all day every day. No fishing on Sundays though. I know, weird, right? They reserve that day for everyone to use the pier as they wish. Meaning – exercising and sightseeing without the fear of getting a hook in the back of their head from someone casting a rod!
Cost: Free!
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? No, none required.
7 – Venice Fishing Pier
This is a short wood and concrete fishing pier that is less than 800 feet long. There is a bait shop ON the pier about midway with bait, cold drinks, snacks, and good advice for what you might catch.
Address: 1600 Harbor Dr. South, Venice, Florida 34285. West coast between Fort Myers and St. Petersburg.
GPS: 27.072538117400054, -82.45280261281451 (end of pier)
Hours: Open all day every day! 24 hours and 7 days a week. We LOVE THESE HOURS.
Cost: No cost – free!
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? No. They waived the fees.
8 – Four Key West Fishing Piers
This group of piers is quite small and nothing really to get excited about. They’re no frills but they do provide a place you can go anytime to throw a line in and see what’s biting.
Key West is focused on charter fishing on expensive boats, but if you don’t feel like spending $100+ for a spot on a boat, hit the fishing piers and try your luck! It’s free! (you must have a Florida Fishing License).
Address: Various. Click the link above to see a full guide on these piers and where to find them.
Cost: Free! Just roll up and fish.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? Yes, you will need a Florida saltwater license.
9 – Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier
This is a large fishing pier on the east coast of Florida. It is about 747 feet long and has plenty of room for a lot of people, but it still can get crowded. Floridians love their fishing piers! I have to confess to becoming a bit of a pier rat at some point during my years in the state.
Address: 200 NE 21st Ave, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441.
GPS: 26.31647207016453 N, -80.07271988190374 W (end of pier)
Hours: Open 6 am. to 11 pm.
Cost: $4 if you’re fishing. Less if you’re just walking around.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? No, it’s included in the small fee! Nice, right?
10 – Cocoa Beach Fishing Pier
Though it is closed for now, we have faith that they will soon open this pier up to fishing again. It’s just such a travesty they haven’t done so already. This is one of the great Florida east coast piers. Who do I have to beg to get this to happen?
They’re now calling the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier. Hmm. Doesn’t seem like fishing is returning. That’s so sad.
Address: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931.
GPS: 28.36766982693503 N, -80.60063257244187 W (end of pier)
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? You can fish around the pier but you will need a saltwater license.
11 – Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier
After a three-year renovation, the Jacksonville Beach Pier is now open again! This is a massive 1,300-foot+ fishing pier that people love. Jacksonville is close to Georgia, and the first big pier visitors see when coming down to Florida so it can get a lot of traffic!
That’s OK because it’s massive and has tons of fish – over 25 species you can catch from the pier.
Address: 503 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250.
GPS: 30.29386494966526 N, -81.38570094567247 W (end of pier)
Hours: Open at 7 am. closed at 7 pm.
Cost: Free as far as I can see. Little info online.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? I also cannot see more info about this. Please click the blue link above to see the complete guide for the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier. We’ll update that one with the latest info as we get it.
12 – Sebastian Inlet Fishing Pier
Sebastian Inlet is talked about by fishing die-hards all over the USA. The place has a constant tide – moving water because it is an inlet to a landlocked bit of water that is massive. The current here can be ridiculous. Boats can sometimes sink trying to get in and out of the inlet here!
Bring sinkers! Some massive fish are caught here. Snook. Redfish. Grouper. Kings. Spanish macks. Bluefish. Jacks. So many fish… and an excellent spot to fish!
Address: 9700 South Highway A1A Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951.
GPS: 27.861625997388444 N, -80.4448627753549 W (end of pier)
Hours: Open all day, every day! 24 hours 7 days per week.
Cost: $8 per angler and they charge less for kids.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? Yes, still required that you provide one.
13 – Titusville Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier
This is a small pier about 550 feet long. There are a couple of areas to fish from, the pier, and the walkway under the bridge. There is a lot of crabbing going on here too.
Address: 2 A. Max Brewer Memorial Pkwy, Titusville, Florida 32796.
GPS: 28.62056677308003 N, -80.7993871117577 W (end of main pier)
Hours: Open 24 hours a day every day. Come anytime!
Cost: Free!
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? Yes, you will need to be properly licensed.
14 – Juno Beach Fishing Pier
This is a huge pier about 1,000 feet long on Florida’s east coast – the Atlantic Ocean side. This pier is an educational site for anglers looking to learn more about sustainability and eco-friendly fishing.
Address: 14775 U.S. Highway 1, Juno Beach, Florida 33408.
GPS: 26.89369258890563 N, -80.05427597653703 W
Hours: During summer from March to October the pier is open from sunrise to sunset. From November to February it’s open from Sun to Thurs from 6 am. to 10 pm. Friday and Saturday the hours are 6 am. to 12 am. Midnight.
Cost: $4 per angler ($2 for kids under 12). $1 for pedestrians.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required?
15 – Navarre Beach Fishing Pier
Ending the list with a HUGE BANG. The Navarre Fishing Pier is open again and has many visitors just like it always has. It’s big. It’s filled with top gamefish. It’s in a great area, peaceful and with some of Florida’s best people. Go visit if you’re in the area!
This is located in the Florida Panhandle. That means the Gulf Side in the northern part of Florida that faces the Gulf of Mexico looking south.
This pier is over 1,500 feet long and is out over deeper water. It’s quite a nice pier. They claim it is the longest in Florida which doesn’t make any sense because the Sunshine Skyway Pier is MUCH longer.
Address: 8579 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, FL 32566.
GPS: 30.375993641211057, -86.86304440040077 (end of pier)
Hours: High season from May to October the pier is open from 5 am. to 11 pm. During winter months of November to April, the hours are reduced to 6 am. to 9 pm.
Cost: $7 per angler. $6 for seniors and active military. $4 for youths from 5 to 15 yrs. $1 per non-angler walking the pier. Disabled veterans and kids under 5 can enter at no charge.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? No. It is included with the fee for 24 hours.
16 – Ballast Point Fishing Pier (Tampa)
This is a more than 900 feet long pier located in the heart of Tampa’s downtown off Bayshore Blvd. The pier has a bait shop, rental gear, a restaurant, a water park for kids right next to it, and freshwater sinks to clean your catch!
Oh, and it’s open ALL NIGHT LONG!
Address: 5300 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33611.
GPS: 27.889284801535986 N, -82.47764598147103 W
Hours: OPEN 24-7. All the time.
Cost: No cost, but no fishing license pass here either.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? Yes, you will need to be licensed before you fish from this pier.
17 – St. Johns County Ocean Fishing Pier (St. Augustine)
This is a more than 600 feet long pier located in St. Augustine Beach on Florida’s Atlantic coast near Jacksonville. The pier has a bait shop, rental gear, a pizza and ice-cream shop nearby, and a splash water park for kids right next to it.
Address: 350 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine, Florida 32080.
GPS: 29.85725541513659 N, -81.26351188215953 W
Hours: Open 6 am. to 9 pm. daily.
Cost: $6 adult non-residents of the county. $4 SJC residents. $2 non-fishers. Kids under 6 are free.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? No, it is included in the small fee.
18 – Dania Beach Fishing Pier
This one is close to Miami and Fort Lauderdale. It is open from 6 am. to 11 pm. so it’s worth the trip. You can catch many kinds of fish like bonito, blue runners, amberjack, and tarpon!
Address: 300 N Beach Rd, Dania Beach, Florida 33004.
GPS: 26.058022647410255 N, -80.10892573259778 W
Hours: Open 6 am. to 11 pm. daily.
Cost: $3 adults fishing. $2 if not fishing. Kids under 5 are free. Note – parking is $2 per hour.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? No, it is included in the pier fee.
19 – MB Miller County Fishing Pier (Panama City)
This is another huge pier that is more than 1,500 feet long with 1,300+ over water. There is free parking, a bait shop with snacks and rental gear. The fee is low and it never gets crowded because it’s so big. If you’re in Florida’s panhandle area and want to visit a fishing pier – this is the one (or Navarre)!
Address: 12213 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, Florida 32407.
GPS: 30.1866036078894 N, -85.83392122227608 W
Hours: Open 24 hours a day – 7 days a week!
Cost: $6 for adults who are fishing. $3 if not fishing. Kids under 5 are free.
Florida State Saltwater Fishing License Required? No, it is included in the pier fee.
Summary
OK, that’s it for our Best Fishing Piers in Florida guide. If you just click any of the big text names of the piers you’ll see a huge guide that will tell you everything you need to know about the piers.
If you need help fishing from a pier – a guide for learning HOW TO FISH from a PIER – here it is!