Jacksonville, Florida is one of the most ideal spots for fishing! Located near the beautiful St. Johns River and the expansive beaches of the Atlantic Coast, the Jacksonville coast has many places where one can toss a line and fish, some of which don’t even need you to have a fishing license to do so.
The presence of numerous piers in this locality gives anglers a large variety of options where one can toss a perfect line and reel in fish to their hearts’ content. This guide puts together a list of the most popular piers in Jacksonville, Florida, that can guarantee your next fishing trip will be full of fun and fish!
Let’s go check it out!
Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier
The Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier can easily be one of the best fishing piers around! This pier is made of wood and stretches almost a quarter of a mile long. Fishing fanatics in the region love to visit this pier in order to witness a breathtaking sunrise, as well as catch a bucketful of fish! This pier makes deep water species of fish available for anglers, ranging from Kingfish to Redfish, there is no lack of variety.
Costing $3 for each adult angler, $1 for those who just want to check out the view, and free for kids under the age of six, the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier is worth the price. It is one of the longest boardwalks around, and doesn’t require anglers to obtain a fishing license.
The presence of a handy tackle shop makes fishing equipment available, so that anglers who don’t have their own rods, reels, and lines can’t be estranged from the noble sport itself. A fisherman can have up to three fishing rods. The pier also has its own concession store, washrooms, and is wheelchair friendly.
The pier is also known to have many picnic benches to sit down after a fun fishing day to enjoy a hearty packed lunch in the vicinity of a breathtaking view. How amazing!
Address: 503 North 1st Street, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Pier timings: December to March: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
April to November: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
(Hours are adjusted depending on the season)
Price: $3 for each angler
$1 for each non-angler
$0 for children under the age of six
License needed: No
Trout River Bridge Pier
The Trout River Bridge Pier is a real fishing treasure in the locality. Though small, it affords anglers to interact with the more experienced fisher folk of the area as they wait for their lines to catch.
Extending from the Jacksonville Zoo into the Trout River, it is interesting to know that this pier was once a scenic road. The pier itself is home to gorgeous views throughout the day, and is thoroughly lit in the night as well.
The Trout River is home to the Speckled trout fish, a delicious treat that beckons anglers to come over and catch. There are also many other fish in the area ranging from Redfish to Catfish, delighting anglers of all ages!
The nearby bait and tackle shop named the ‘Trout River Fish Company’ is well stocked with fresh bait and tackle, as well as delicious seafood, just in case you weren’t able to catch something.
Address: 91 Trout River Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32208
Pier timings: Open 24/ 7, 365 days a year
Price: Unspecified
License needed: Yes
George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier
Situated eight miles south of the Fernandina Beach, the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier can easily be one of the most scenic piers around. As its name suggests, this pier is basically an old pedestrian road bridge that was converted into a mile-long pier which spans Nassau Sound. It is noted for its size, as it can hold large numbers of people who can cast their angling lines without coming in the way of others.
The George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier is one of the best fishing points in Northeast Florida for fishing inshore species including Whiting, Jack, Flounder, Redfish, Tarpon, Speckled Trout, and many more. The local bait and tackle shop at the pier is great to buy fresh bait as well as the fishing licenses that this pier requires anglers to have. There is also a clean station near this pier offering running water for visitors’ convenience.
Address: 9549 1st Coast Highway, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Pier timings: Open 24/ 7, 365 days a year
Price: $2 per person
License needed: Yes
Dames Point Fishing Pier
Extending around 120 feet long, the Dames Point Fishing Pier is a traditional wooden pier offering visitors a stunning scenic view. It also boasts being the longest cable-stayed bridge across the United States. Pretty neat, huh?
It is exciting to know that this pier isn’t usually crowded, and also comes with an assortment of restrooms, bait shops, parking spaces, along with covered picnic benches for adding convenience to anglers when they take a break for lunch.
Anglers are particularly fond of this particular fishing spot because the waters are brimming with Trout and award winning Drum, enough to make any fishing fanatic’s heart flutter with excitement!
Address: 9101 Dames Point Road, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Pier timings: Open daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
Price: Unspecified
License needed: Yes
Lake Shore Pier
Situated further upstream, the Lake Shore Pier is a small one that caters to anglers who have their heart set on landing a variety of freshwater fish. The fish available at this spot include Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Gar, Blue and Bullhead Catfish, to name a few.
It is isn’t hard to believe why this pier gets incredibly busy as the day progresses, despite the fact that it doesn’t have designated parking spots or even restrooms. For anglers’ convenience, there is a West Marine bait and tackle shop that makes fresh bait and fishing gear available to visiting anglers.
Though adored by locals and non-locals alike, visitors should be warned that it is a noisy spot due to the road and rail bridges in its close vicinity.
Address: 4699 Lake Shore Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32210
Pier timings: Open 24/7
Price: Unspecified
License needed: Yes
Beach Access #1
The Beach Access #1 is a delightful spot to fish. The pier features a long wooden stretch above the coast, where anglers can toss their lines and catch their dinner. It is a private beach and pier, and those interested are required to get relevant authorization before they can visit.
This pier comes with breathtaking views, as well as facilities to aid anglers and visitors in general. The facilities consist of designated parking, tackle and bait shops, and rest rooms. This is one of the more secluded fishing spots around Jacksonville, Florida.
Address: 1974 Baltimore St, Jacksonville, FL 32227
Pier timings: Open 24/7
Price: N/A
License needed: Unspecified
Things to Remember while Visiting a Pier
Going to the pier can be incredibly thrilling, and in order to make your experience even more memorable, it is essential that you follow certain behavioral norms to ensure your safety, and that of others around you.
- Check to see if the pier you intend to visit requires a fishing license. If it does, make sure you obtain one before your trip for hassle-free fishing
- Don’t compromise another angler’s fishing space while casting your line. Each angler should at least have their own elbow room to be comfortable
- Be careful not to leave your fishing gear unattended on a pier. It might cause some people to trip or hurt themselves
- Never jump into the water from the pier
- Remember to clean your fishing spot after you’re done. Remove any litter or left over bait before you leave
- Don’t leave children unattended.
- Avoid leaning too far on the protective railings
These are just a few tips that should be kept in mind so that your fishing experience, and those of others around you, is smooth and pleasurable.
Conclusion
Fishing is an exciting sport, and when coupled with the gorgeous views of a Jacksonville pier, there is absolutely nothing better than to take out a line and bait and enjoy the experience.
This guide features a few of the many piers that pepper the area of Jacksonville, Florida that are ideal for your next angling trip. The piers listed range from quaint local spots with a hearty angling community, to the larger and better equipped piers which are flocked annually by thousands of visitors and fishing fanatics alike.
Though these piers are generally the most popular amongst visitors, keep in mind that there are still plenty of others to choose for your convenience.
I hope this guide helps direct you towards finding another favorite fishing point that will definitely get you hooked!
Happy fishing!
