Last Updated April 27, 2023

There’s no better place to fish than in Florida. Acclaimed as the ‘Fishing Capital of the World’, Florida is an angler’s paradise with exotic fishing opportunities at every turn – from the local freshwater lakes to the deep sea of the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Every year, dozens of anglers troop to the sea in search of huge catches and delicious seafood. If you are looking for some epic fishing experiences at the best fishing piers in Florida, you’ll be in for a treat here.

Pier fishing is perhaps one of the most exciting ways to fish in Florida and enjoy the warm sunshine, clear blue skies, and emerald waters. It is convenient and super comfortable, allowing you to enjoy a whole-family fishing experience without needing a boat or kayak. You just need to throw all your gear in your vehicle and head to the coast for some relaxing saltwater fishing experiences. The thing is, with pier fishing, you can pack everything from seats, drinks, and snacks to luxuries such as tents and music.

What Fish Can You Catch Off the Pier in Florida?

If you’re the type who doesn’t really like riding boats or getting their feet wet, Florida offers accessible fishing piers to get you hooked on fishing– and for different species too! Fishermen usually get the common catfish, whose spines can cause injury, so always be careful when dealing with them. Small fish are also the norm, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t catch a huge one occasionally.

Experts usually position themselves in the path of fish swimming parallel to the shore. Many of the fish are wandering around the break waves waiting for your bait or lure. Many anglers have caught black drum, redfish, sea trout, bluefish, and even the smaller cousins of the King Mackerel itself, the Spanish mackerel. They usually weigh around 35 to 40 pounds, and while most piers have big circular nets on a stout rope for you to use, it’s always best to get help from the veterans in the dock to aid you in lifting that trophy fish.

It’s also possible to catch a shark out on the pier in some places of Florida!

What Are the Best Fishing Piers in Florida?

But with over 35 fishing piers along the coasts of some of the best beach towns in Florida, it can be pretty overwhelming for those novice Florida fishermen, or those coming from out of state, to find the best spot. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the 11 most sought-after fishing piers in Florida, where you’ll find a wide variety of fish species to catch. We’ve also included some must-know details, including locations and costs, to help you get ready for a great day out trying to hook the big one!

Let’s dive in.

1. Navarre Beach Fishing Pier

The Navarre Beach fishing pier is located along Florida’s gulf coast east of Pensacola beach. Acclaimed as the longest pier in Florida, this pier offers fun for the whole family. Having stayed in Navarre for quite some time last year, it has a special place in our heart and truly is a beautiful coast with white sands and crystal blue waters!

The Navarre Beach fishing pier is home to a wide variety of highly sought-after Gulf Coast species such as red snapper, sheepshead, amberjack, wahoo, cobia, king mackerel, Bonita, mahi-mahi, and more. A few lucky anglers have even hooked the Great White Shark here.

People who are not into fishing can stroll onto the pier to enjoy the expansive view of the beach and dunes. The Navarre Beach fishing has a ramp that makes it wheelchair accessible. If you are visiting in winter, the pier opens from 6 AM – 7 PM and 5 AM – 11 PM in summer.

After a long day at the pier, you can have a calm evening at the Pier Restaurant as you watch the beautiful sunset with your loved ones, all while soaking in the amazing views from the Navarre pier. The topping of the cherry is, you’ll only pay half the price for a meal if you show a same-day fishing/walking receipt.

Cost: $7.00 adults, $6 for seniors, and free kids under 5

2. Cocoa Beach Fishing Pier

If you’ve seen one fishing pier, you’ve seen them all, right? If that is what you believe, you obviously haven’t seen the Cocoa Beach Fishing Pier! This pier has been the highlight for Cocoa beach since the 60s and has welcomed thousands of Anglers.

The Cocoa Beach fishing pier has an 800-feet span that spreads into the Atlantic Ocean. While it is acclaimed as a historical surfing spot, this pier is a hidden gem for anglers. Cocoa beach is home to 4 bars, 5 restaurants, gift shops, and free live musicals, making it an exciting destination for both solo and family anglers. Considering that Cocoa Beach is one of the best beaches near Orlando, and I used to visit it frequently when I lived in Orlando, we have nothing but good words for this popular beach!

You can hook a wide variety of fish such as whiting, redfish, tarpon, wahoo, jack, pompano, flounder, grouper, sheepshead, bluefish, croaker, black drum, and more. The pier opens at 6 AM, which is an excellent time to target the feeding fish. You can fish here throughout the year. There are several shops along the pier where you can buy some bait and rent some fishing gear for a small fee.

Cost: $7.00 adults, $5.00 seniors and children, and $2.00 for walking

3. Sebastian Inlet State Park Pier

If you are looking for a pier that is open 24/7, the Sebastian inlet state park pier is your best bet. This historic landmark is located in Melbourne Beach and sits at the mouth of the Indian River and Atlantic waters. This makes it a dream hunting ground for snook, redfish, trout, tarpon, and more.

This is actually a beautiful state park in Florida located along the eastern coast. You can also visit some of the park’s amenities, such as the local museum, or stroll the untouched beach collecting shells and observing sea turtle nests. There is also a great RV park for camping at this state park as well, so it’s convenient and inexpensive to stay out here and soak up all that the Florida coast has to offer.

Cost: $8 per vehicle with 2-8 people, $4 for single-occupant vehicles (and motorcycles), and $2 for pedestrians and bicycles.

4. Naples Pier

Naples is a popular town on the southwestern coast of Florida. It’s known for its history, downtown shops and restaurants, and affluent coastal lifestyle. It’s also home to some great beaches and the Naples fishing pier.

Naples pier spans a total of 1000 feet along the Gulf of Mexico. This pier is free and can be accessed 24/7. The most popular species caught here are the white grunt, Spanish mackerel, crevalle jack, great barracuda, red grouper, and crevalle jack.

Even non-fishing enthusiasts can enjoy the Naples pier. You can hang on the rails enjoying dolphin and stingray sightings or take a bird-watching stroll along the beach. The pier is truly the perfect place to enjoy a brilliant Florida sunset over the Gulf.

Cost: Free

5. Skyway Bridge Fishing Pier

Enjoy fishing or sightseeing on the longest fishing pier in the world – The Skyway Bridge Fishing Pier! This fishing pier is a popular destination for anglers who want to flex their fishing skills. It is one of the longest fishing piers converted from a bridge that connected St. Petersburg and Terra Ceia, just north of Bradenton and Sarasota.

This pier is open 24/7 and is lighted at night, allowing anglers to park their cars or campers nearby and fish while enjoying stunning sunrise and sunsets. Some common fish species that you can hook here include Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass, snook, sheepshead, pompano, and red snapper.

There are several bait shops where you can buy or rent fishing equipment and supplies and well-maintained restrooms for your convenience.

Cost: $4.00 per vehicle and $4.00 for adults, and $2.00 for children. Entry is free for children under five years.

6. Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier

Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier is a quarter-mile fishing spot that offers anglers access to deep-water fish species and beautiful close-up views of the Atlantic Ocean. Since no fishing license is required, anglers can enjoy saltwater fishing at just a small fee.

You can catch anything from redfish to kingfish, jacks, and tarpon. Since this pier is still under reconstruction, they are limiting three fishing rods per angler. If you’re not into fishing, you can stroll into the surrounding attractions or sit on one of the picnic benches and watch the breathtaking sunsets.

Cost: Free for children under 6, $1.00 for sightseeing, and $3.00 for adult fishing

7. Dania Beach

Dania Beach Fishing pier spans 928 feet into the Atlantic coast. This pier allows fishing throughout the year and doesn’t require fishing licenses. You can hook a wide variety of fisheries, including tarpon, bluefish, yellowtail snappers, and snook. For convenience, there are several shops where you can buy snacks and tackle.

Cost: $1.00 for sightseeing and $3.00 for adult fishing

8. Pier 60 (Clearwater)

Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach is perhaps the most picturesque and best-equipped family-friendly piers in Florida. In fact, Clearwater Beach regularly tops many of the lists for best family beaches in Florida – and we’d have to agree! A trip to Clearwater is always a lot of fun, especially during their sunset party that they hold every night. Plus, there are a ton of shops and restaurants all along the main highway strip.

Pier 60 has a 1080-feet span extending into the Gulf of Mexico that comfortably accommodates thousands of anglers every year. It is famous for its exotic fine dining, outstanding entertainment, and sprawling white-sand beaches.

The most common fish you can catch here include spotted and silver trout, snook, Spanish mackerel, redfish, snappers, jacks, sheepshead, flounder, and many more, depending on the season. You can fish on the pier seven days a week from 6 AM to 10 PM.

Cost: $8.00 for adults and $5.25 for children

9. Flagler Beach Fishing Pier

Whether you are a professional hobbyist or just want a lazy weekend angling, the Flagler Beach fishing pier will offer you a safe and welcoming environment. Depending on the season, fish species such as kingfish, cobia, bluefish, pompano, whiting, and tarpon should be lurking below the bait.

Being on the east coast of Florida, there are some magnificent sunrises out here to be enjoyed. Quiet and serene, long before any crowds of people have arrived. Whether it’s morning or evening, afterward you can grab a bite from one of the many low-key local restaurants near the beach.

Cost: $6.00 for fishing but has discounts for senior citizens and military personnel, both active and retired.

10. Deerfield Beach Fishing Pier

The 976 feet Deerfield Beach fishing pier attracts thousands of visitors and anglers every year. The pier is well taken care of and has several benches, water, cleaning stations, and shops where you can buy tackle and snacks.

Anglers have boasted of catching huge tarpon, barracuda, kingfish, snook, and small sharks. Even if you don’t step on the pier, you can enjoy the view from Deerfield Beach. It’s not too busy and has fantastic restaurants and bars overlooking the ocean.

Cost: $1.00 for sightseeing and $4.00 for fishing

11. Juno Beach Park Fishing Pier

This 990-foot pier offers guests scenic views and excellent saltwater fishing opportunities. It has a number of food concessions, bait shops, fish cleaning tables, and shade structures to soak in the beautiful scenery.

Juno Fishing Pier is home to some unique fish species such as croakers, pompano, permit, snook, flounder, mahi-mahi, redfish, bluefish, cobia, and kingfish.

Cost: $2.00 for kids, $4.00 for adult and $1.00 for spectators

Which Fishing Pier in Florida Offers What You Are Looking For?

These are some of the most exciting fishing piers in Florida, where both hobbyists and professional anglers can catch a saltwater “big one” without having a boat. Most of these fishing piers in Florida have various amenities, parking spots, and shops selling all fishing equipment and accessories. While local fishing enthusiasts may frequent these piers, visiting fishermen to Florida and their families can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience by being able to fish off of one of these piers in Florida.

Be sure to check with the pier’s management to learn more about theirs fishing rules and charges. Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy some of the freshly cooked seafood at local restaurants nearby these piers, as well as visiting some of the other nearby attractions that each destination may have.