When Florida comes to mind, chances are so does the fishing. No trip would be complete to the “World Capital of Fishing”, without getting your line wet at least once. However, if you can’t charter a boat or own one and are uncertain of the shore fishing laws, one of Florida’s famous piers might be the best alternative for you. If you don’t know where to look, here’s a list of Florida’s best fishing piers.

1. Jacksonville Beach Pier

After a lengthy closure due to storm damage from hurricanes Matthew and Irma, the Jacksonville Beach Pier will reopen over the July 4th weekend. This much-loved fishing bridge is 625 feet long and allows anglers to nab a variety of species at different depths. No saltwater license is required; however, admission is $3 per angler for 3 rods. Spectators are welcome to roam the pier for an admission of $1. It is important to note that cast nets, fly rods, hands rods, and shark fishing are not permitted around the pier.

However, the Jacksonville Beach Pier offers anglers the chance to hook a variety of species, including:

• Whiting
• Speckled sea trout
• Pompano
• Black drum
• Tarpon 
• Cobia
• Redfish
• Flounder
• Sailfish 
• Snapper
• Grouper
• Crevalle jack
• Snook

2. Navarre Beach Pier

Image Credit: McRon Via Pixabay

Known as the “Longest Fishing Pier in the Gulf of Mexico”, the Navarre Beach Pier should be a must-fish on every angler’s bucket list. This stunning pier is a whopping 1,545 feet long and sits 30 feet above the water. Due to its length, it’s possible to catch a drum at one end of the pier and a tuna or shark at the other. With the purchase of a fishing license, admission is included on the pier and runs at $7 per adult and $4 per child. If you don’t have gear, don’t sweat it, you can rent a rod at the Pier Store for a fee.

Some varieties that have been caught here include:

• Cobia
• Drum
• Shark
• Dolphinfish
• Amberjack
• Red snapper
• King mackerel
• Wahoo
• Pompano
• Flounder
• Spanish mackerel

3. Venice Fishing Pier

Third on this list is the Venice Fishing Pier, which is accessible to everyone. It’s open to anglers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and there is no admission or fishing license required. At 700 feet long, this pier offers ample space for everyone who wishes to use it. Furthermore, if you forgot your gear or don’t have any, for $15 you can rent a rod from Papa’s Bait Shop. Although, shark fishing is prohibited from the pier, take the opportunity to search for shark teeth along the shore. A little-known fact about Venice, Florida is that it’s the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World”.

Some common species caught from the Venice Fishing Pier include:

• Grouper
• Snapper
• Redfish
• Cobia
• Kingfish
• Amberjack
• Spanish Mackerel
• Tarpon

4. Naples Pier

Image Credit: Waldomalan via Pixabay

Not only is the Naples Pier a popular tourist attraction, but it is also a favorite go-to among anglers on the Gulf Coast. At 1,000 feet long, the fishing pier offers plenty of space for anglers and sightseers alike. The pier is covered under a blanket license, so there is no charge for fishing licenses or admission. Even spectators can come and stroll along the pier at no additional cost.

Anglers have been successful with catching the following:

• Redfish
• Red grouper
• Spanish mackerel
• Crevalle jack
• Tarpon 
• Snook
• Bonnethead sharks
• Blacktip shark
• Bullshark
• Tiger shark
• Speckled sea trout

5. Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier

Known as a mecca for its variety of catchable species, the 976-foot-long Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier is an undeniable favorite among anglers. There is an admission to fish on the pier priced at $4 and spectators will have to pay $1-$2 depending on whether you’re from out of state or not. If you don’t have gear, don’t fret, you can rent a fishing rod for $18 with a $25 deposit and government I.D.

There is an abundance of reportedly caught species found at Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier. These include:

• Barracuda
• Porgy
• Bream
• Blue runner
• Crevalle jack
• Cobia
• Moonfish
• Tarpon
• Spanish mackerel
• Snook 
• Pompano
• Mutton snapper
• Bonito
• Mangrove snapper
• Bluefish
• Kingfish

6. Juno Beach Pier

Image Credit: James Cheney via Pexels

The Juno Beach Park and Juno Beach Pier can be found in Jupiter, Florida. It’s best known as a destination for world-renowned fishing. The 990-foot-long pier is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. There are numerous services available on the pier from a pier house, guest services, gift shop, snack shop, and rental shop. Thus, there is a fee to access this fishing bridge, with a charge of $1 for spectators and $4 for fishing. On the other hand, if you’re without a fishing rod, one can be rented for $15. 

Commonly caught species include:

• Snook
• Sea trout
• Whiting
• Redfish
• Pompano
• Bluefish
• Spanish mackerel
• Permit
• Cobia
• King mackerel
• Crevalle jack

7. Sunglow Pier

Sunglow Pier can be found in iconic Daytona Beach and houses the famous Crabby Joe’s Deck and Grill. Known for surf and Atlantic fishing, no trip to Daytona Beach is complete without a trip to one of the local fishing piers. Albeit, Crabby Joe’s Deck and Grill presents a place to eat, grab a brew, or rent a rod. There is a fee to fish from this bridge of $7 and an all-day fishing rod rental is also $7. Furthermore, frozen bait of mullet, shrimp, and squid can be purchased; however, there are numerous bait shops around if you prefer live bait.

Fish found in Daytona Beach include:

• Whiting 
• Kingfish
• Pompano
• Flounder
• Sea trout
• Spanish mackerel
• Sheep’s head
• Bluefish
• Tarpon
• Many shark varieties

Why Florida Piers Are The Best

No matter which pier you find yourself on, it’s impossible to leave Florida without landing at least one fish on your line. Fishing piers are widely available from the shoreline, whether it’s the Gulf Coast, the everglades, or the Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, they offer a plethora of saltwater species, adding to the mystery of what may hit your line. But one thing is for certain, and that is some of the best pier fishing can be found in the State of Florida.