Jacksonville Beach Pier Fishing

Jacksonville Beach Pier is Duval County's big ocean pier, rebuilt after Hurricane Matthew and reopened for fishing in 2022. At about 1,300 feet it reaches well past the surf zone, so it covers everything from bottom fish on the bars to pelagics off the end.

• Whiting, croaker, spot and pompano from the bars.
• Bluefish and Spanish mackerel on the spring and fall runs.
• King mackerel, cobia and tarpon from the end in the warm months.
• A bait shop, rod rentals and cleaning stations on site.

The pier is at 503 1st Street North in Jacksonville Beach, at the end of 6th Avenue North.

• Fees: A daily fishing fee (lower for local residents, with a small discount for cash), plus walking, bundle and annual passes; prices change, so check at the gate. The pier states that its admission covers the fishing license.
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day, according to the pier operator.
• Parking: City parking near the pier; lots fill on summer weekends.
• Surface: A wide, handicap-accessible deck, about 1,300 feet long.
• Rod rentals are available by the day.

The pier's length gives it the widest mix on this stretch of coast.

• Spring (Mar-May): Whiting and pompano on the bars, bluefish and Spanish mackerel moving north, cobia cruising past the end, black drum around the pilings.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): King mackerel and tarpon off the end, Spanish mackerel, croaker, spot and whiting, sharks.
• Fall (Sep-Nov): The mullet run brings bluefish, redfish, jacks and Spanish mackerel; king mackerel linger into fall; flounder around the pilings.
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Whiting and black drum, sheepshead on the pilings, bluefish on cold fronts.

Medium tackle covers the bottom fishing; the end calls for heavier gear.

• Whiting, croaker and spot: A two-hook bottom rig with size 1-2 hooks, 3-4 oz pyramid sinker, and shrimp, sand fleas or Fishbites.
• Pompano: A pompano rig with sand fleas on clear incoming tides.
• Bluefish and Spanish mackerel: Gotcha plugs, spoons and jigs with a bite leader.
• King mackerel: A live bait on a wire stinger rig fished under a float or on an anchor (trolley) rig from the end.
• Sheepshead and black drum: Fiddler crabs or shrimp beside the pilings.
• A pier net is essential for anything heavy.

Jacksonville Beach tides are semidiurnal, with two highs and two lows a day and a range of about five feet.

• The incoming tide brings clean water and the best whiting and pompano fishing.
• The last of the outgoing concentrates bait in the troughs near the pilings.
• King mackerel bite best in clean, green water with a light southerly wind in summer.
• Strong northeast winds make the surf rough and cloudy; the end of the pier may close in bad weather.
• Cold fronts in fall and winter trigger bluefish and whiting bites.

A modern, well-run pier with good access.

• Crowds: Mind your backcast; the deck is busy on weekends.
• Water: Rip currents form beside the pilings; never swim near the pier.
• Surfers: Jacksonville Beach is a surf spot; do not cast toward surfers.
• Weather: Summer afternoon storms bring lightning; the pier is fully exposed.
• Heat: Little shade; bring water and sun protection.
• Access: The wide deck is wheelchair-accessible, though long.

The pier is well equipped for fishing, and everything a visiting angler needs is on site or across the street.

• A bait shop and concession.
• Rod rentals by the day.
• Restrooms.
• Several fish-cleaning stations on the pier.
• The Jacksonville Beach seawalk, restaurants and shops next to the pier.
• A handicap-accessible deck the full length of the pier.
• City parking nearby and picnic tables.

• Fish the incoming tide early in the morning for whiting and pompano.
• In summer, the end of the pier is where the king mackerel and tarpon anglers set up; respect their space and lines.
• Spanish mackerel school past the pier in spring and fall; bring a few small spoons.
• Sheepshead hold on the pilings in winter; fiddler crabs work best.
• A bundle pass is good value if you fish often.
• Parking is tight on summer weekends; arrive early or come on a weekday.

The pier is owned by the City of Jacksonville Beach and run by a pier operator.

• Pay the daily fishing fee and follow the posted pier rules: no diving or jumping, no sitting on the rails, no food or alcohol on the pier, no pets except service animals, no bikes, skateboards or scooters, and no feeding wildlife.
• The pier states that its fishing admission covers the Florida saltwater fishing license while you fish from it; off the pier, a Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.