Fishing

There are plenty of great places to go fishing on our beaches without paying for a charter boat. Onshore fishing is easy and fun at the following piers where commonly caught fish include redfish, kingfish, Spanish mackeral, sheepshead, cobia, flounder, drum, pompano, trout, whiting, shark and more.

Redington Long Pier

The Redington Long Pier in Redington Shores, extends over 1200 feet into the Gulf of Mexico and is famous for fishing. Built in 1962, it has been rebuilt and upgraded over the years as it has provided countless locals and visitors with great onshore fishing, or just an evening’s stroll to see the sites. A bait shop, tackle shop, concession stand, shelters, benches and restrooms are available. Rods are available to rent. No fishing license is required on the Redington Pier! Sightseers may see manatee, rays, dolphins and a variety of seabirds. No pets allowed.

17490 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores, Fla., 33708. 727-391-9398.

Skyway Fishing Pier

Visit the longest fishing pier in the world in one of the most active fishing grounds in the world. The Skyway Fishing pier is part of the Florida State Parks and provides fishing on either side of the channel connecting Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Following the tragic accident in 1980 in which the freighter Summit Venture rammed and collapsed the southbound span of the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge killing 35 people, the beautiful, new Sunshine Skyway was completed in the mid 1980’s, connecting St. Petersburg to the Bradenton / Sarasota area. The old bridge approaches reaching far into the bay were rebuilt to become the Skyway Fishing Pier.

You can drive your vehicle all the way to the end and you can park where you fish. The piers are well lit, offering a safe environment that also attracts fish at night. A tackle shop, bait shop and restrooms are available. Park entrances are available off I-275 / US-19 both from south St. Petersburg and from the Palmetto / Bradenton side heading north. No RV’s, large trucks or trailers are allowed.

For more information, contact the Florida State Parks at 727-865-0668.

Merry Pier

Named for Captain Kenneth B. Merry, who was a resident of Pass-a-Grille from 1900 to 1982, Merry Pier is owned today by the City of St. Pete Beach. Captain Merry’s pier offers a bait and tackle shop with live and frozen bait, and a fresh seafood market. Also available are bike rentals to explore the beautiful Pass-a-Grille community, picnic supplies, beer, beach supplies and rod rentals. There are no fees to visit or fish, but fishing requires a license which can be obtained by phone or on the internet.

Pass-a-Grille is south of the Loew’s Don Cesar Hotel on St. Pete Beach and Merry’s Pier is situated on the east side of the beach reaching into Pass-a-Grille Pass just north of the Gulf of Mexico. Currents and fishing run strong here and the local streets on this narrow stretch of beach offer unique shopping and dining opportunities.

801 Pass a Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, Fla. 727-360-1400, Email: info@merrypier.com