Vilano Beach Fishing Pier

Vilano Beach Fishing Pier is a free county pier on the Intracoastal Waterway at Vilano Beach, just west of the Vilano bridge and a short way inside the St. Augustine Inlet. It is a low-key, local spot with views of the old city and fish moving in and out with the inlet tide.

• Redfish, black drum and flounder on the bottom.
• Sheepshead around the pilings in the cooler months.
• Trout, mangrove snapper, jacks and Spanish mackerel in season.
• No county fee is listed; a floating dock and restrooms.

The pier is at 260 Vilano Road in Vilano Beach, on the north side of St. Augustine, beside the western end of the bridge that carries State Road A1A across the Intracoastal to the city.

• Hours: Dawn to dusk.
• Fees: No county fee is listed for fishing the pier.
• Parking: A county lot at the pier; spaces are limited on weekends.
• Surface: A level pier deck and boardwalk.
• Nearby: Shops and restaurants in the Vilano Beach town center.
• The St. Johns County Ocean Pier at St. Augustine Beach closed on May 13, 2026 for piling repairs that the county expects to finish by the end of November 2026.

Being close to the inlet, the pier sees both inshore and near-shore fish.

• Spring (Mar-May): Sheepshead and black drum at their peak, redfish on the move, bluefish and Spanish mackerel passing through.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Mangrove snapper around the pilings, flounder, jacks and ladyfish, trout at dawn.
• Fall (Sep-Nov): The mullet run brings redfish, flounder, jacks and bluefish; a prime flounder season.
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Sheepshead and black drum around the pilings, trout in the deeper channel on cold days.

Medium spinning tackle and enough weight for the current are the essentials.

• Redfish and black drum: A fish-finder or Carolina rig with 1-3 oz of lead, a 2/0-4/0 circle hook and shrimp, cut mullet or crab.
• Sheepshead: Fiddler crabs or shrimp on a 1/0 hook with a short 20 lb leader, straight down beside the pilings.
• Flounder: Live mud minnows or finger mullet dragged slowly near the pilings.
• Trout: Live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastics at dawn.
• Bring a pier net or drop net; the deck is above the water.

Tides here are semidiurnal, two highs and two lows a day, with a range of several feet and strong flow from the nearby inlet.

• The first two hours of each tide change fish best.
• Peak flow makes it hard to hold bottom; switch to heavier lead or fish the eddies near the pilings.
• Slack water is the time for sheepshead and drum right against the pilings.
• The incoming tide brings clearer ocean water from the inlet.
• Strong northeast winds can push water up and dirty the river.

A calm, easy pier with few hazards.

• Current: Very strong tidal current; do not swim or wade from the pier.
• Boats: Busy boat traffic on the Intracoastal; keep lines clear of passing boats and the floating dock.
• Weather: Summer afternoon storms bring lightning; leave the pier at the first rumble.
• Wildlife: Watch for manatees and dolphins; do not hook or feed them.
• Access: A level pier and boardwalk suit wheelchairs and strollers.

A simple county waterfront park, with the Vilano Beach town center close enough to walk to for food and supplies.

• Restrooms.
• A pavilion that can be reserved through the county.
• A floating dock.
• Parking.
• Restaurants and shops within walking distance in Vilano Beach; no bait is sold at the pier, so bring your own.
• No confirmed lighting; the pier is open dawn to dusk.
• Beach access to the Atlantic side of Vilano is a short drive away.

• Fish the first two hours of the outgoing tide for redfish and drum.
• Fiddler crabs are the sheepshead bait of choice from December to April.
• Bring a range of sinkers: the current changes fast through the tide.
• Flounder stack up around the pilings in October and November.
• Park early on weekends; the lot is small.
• Once the ocean pier reopens, expected after November 2026, it is a 15-minute drive south for surf species.

The Vilano Fishing Pier is managed by St. Johns County Parks and Recreation, and the water around it is part of the Intracoastal Waterway.

• Open dawn to dusk; follow posted pier rules and keep the floating dock clear for boats.
• Snook and tarpon have their own permit, season and release rules; check FWC.
• 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.