Merry Pier Fishing

Merry Pier is Pass-a-Grille's historic bay-side pier: the Merry family opened the first store on the Gulf beaches at the end of the 8th Avenue dock in 1902, and the pier is named for Capt. Kenneth B. Merry. The City of St. Pete Beach owns it, and it is still a classic place to fish the bay side of the barrier island.

• Moving channel water with pilings that hold sheepshead, snapper and black drum.
• Snook, trout and redfish along the edges, and mackerel on the spring and fall runs.
• The bait shack has been closed since the 2024 hurricanes; the city has approved a rebuild.
• Pass-a-Grille Beach, where the city lists restrooms and the Paradise Grill, is a short walk west.

Merry Pier is at 801 Pass-a-Grille Way in St. Pete Beach, at the eastern end of 8th Avenue in the historic Pass-a-Grille district.

• Getting there: follow Gulf Boulevard south into Pass-a-Grille, then turn toward the bay side at 8th Avenue.
• Parking: follow the posted signs and pay as directed before you walk out.
• The walk: straight from the street onto the pier deck.
• Works: the city put the bait shack rebuild out to bid in July 2026, so expect construction fencing once work starts and follow any closure signs.
• Hours: city code opens St. Pete Beach parks and piers during daylight hours, with each site's hours posted, so check the sign at the pier.

The pier sits over moving channel water, so it fishes like a small bridge: structure fish on the pilings and gamefish along the edges.

• Spring (Mar–May): sheepshead finish their run, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish arrive, and snook move back to the shallows.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): mangrove snapper on the pilings, snook at dawn and dusk, and jacks and ladyfish on the tide.
• Fall (Sep–Nov): redfish and trout feed along the edges, mackerel pass through again and flounder show on the sand.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): sheepshead and black drum crowd the pilings, with trout on the warmer days.

Medium-light spinning tackle with 15–20 lb braid and a 25–30 lb fluorocarbon leader copes with the current and the pilings.

• Sheepshead and black drum: a fiddler crab or shrimp on a 1/0 hook with just enough weight to hold bottom, dropped tight to the pilings.
• Snapper: a knocker rig with a small live shrimp, fished on the slower water near slack tide.
• Snook and redfish: a live pilchard or shrimp drifted along the edges with the current, or a white jig swung across it.
• Mackerel: small spoons cast into the channel when bait is showing.
• Landing: bring a drop net; you cannot lift a big fish up to the deck by the line.

Tides here are small and mixed, often two uneven highs and lows a day, but the channel concentrates the flow, so the current can be strong at mid-tide.

• Best: the last hour of each run and the first hour after the turn, when the current is workable.
• Slack water: the time to fish straight down for snapper and sheepshead without losing rigs.
• Light: dawn and dusk for snook; the middle of the day suits sheepshead in winter.
• Wind: the bay side is sheltered from westerlies, so it often fishes when the Gulf beach and jetty are rough.

The pier is at street level and easy to reach, but the current and the boats need respect.

• Boats: the Shell Key Shuttle operates from beside the pier, so keep lines clear of boats and their docking lines.
• Current: never climb down to free a snag, and keep children back from the edge.
• Construction: stay out of any fenced area around the bait shack.
• Lightning: summer afternoon storms arrive fast, so leave at the first thunder.
• Heat: bring water, a hat and sunscreen.

Before the storms the pier had a bait shop, fish market and rentals; the bait shack is now closed while the city rebuilds it, so there is no bait for sale on site.

• Bait: buy live shrimp or frozen bait before you arrive.
• Restrooms and food: the city lists restrooms and the Paradise Grill at Pass-a-Grille Beach, a short walk west on the Gulf.
• Shuttle: the Shell Key Shuttle runs from next to the pier; it asks visitors to call ahead for the schedule.
• Lights: none are listed, so plan a daylight session.

• Fish the pilings at slack tide for snapper and sheepshead, then switch to a drifted live bait for snook as the current builds.
• Bring your own bait; the bait shack stays closed until the city's rebuild is finished.
• Give the shuttle boats and their passengers room at the dock.
• On a strong westerly, this bay-side pier is the sheltered choice when the Gulf jetty and beach are too rough.
• Watch the channel for diving birds in spring and fall; mackerel follow the bait.
• Check the posted hours at the pier before planning an evening session.

Merry Pier is owned by the City of St. Pete Beach, which is rebuilding its storm-damaged bait shack.

• City code opens city parks and piers during daylight hours, with the hours posted at each site; follow the posted pier rules and stay out of any construction area.
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit, and snook and tarpon have their own FWC rules.
• Keep the docking areas used by the shuttle and other boats clear.
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.