Where to Saltwater Fish Around Venice, Florida
Look at your surroundings before trucking across the beach to the waters edge. If you are in a swimming area then no dogs are allowed and that means us too, the fisherman. It is for swimmers only. There are plenty of stretches on both sides to accommodate fisherman and allow swimmers the pleasure of not being hooked. If you are in Venice, Florida immediately south of Sharky’s on the Pier, you are at the dog beach; where people are allowed and the pets are in control. Dogs and fishing lines do not mix, so be courteous and don’t fish there. That is, unless your dog took you fishing and he is there beside you and you are willing to put up with his friends. Either move on to our City Pier or on the other side of our Paw park and fish the Casperson Beach area, where swimmers and fishers mingle so watch out for them because they are not watching out for you!
Our Venice Fishing Pier is the place to see and be seen in Venice. This 700 foot fishing pier is connected to Sharky’s restaurant, an exclusive waterfront dining experience you’ll always remember. It’s casual and reasonably priced, accommodating to children with terrific views of the Gulf of Mexico and the fishing pier. What a place to be at sunset! While fishing on the pier you must remember “no alcohol” allowed on the pier and there is a two rod limit while fishing. There is no fee to access the pier and the best part is that avid and amateur fisherman alike can fish from the pier without a fishing license. So if you are just in town for a few weeks and want to try out fishing for the first time before you buy a license, this is the best place to start. At the base of the pier is a small souvenir shop that also sells light tackle and assorted frozen baits. Though you can fish anywhere on the pier, please show respect and try to limit your light tackle fishing on the straight part of the pier and leave the Tee for the heavy equipment enthusiasts. On the Tee fisherman are fishing with 4/0’s, 6/0’s, 9/0’s and larger reels. Most of this activity is at night when the nocturnal feeders begin their search for supper. Sharks in the six to eight foot range are most common at night with King or Spanish Mackerels, Cobia and Tarpon taken on the tee in the day light hours. From the Tee back to the beach you can enjoy Trout (Weakfish), flounder, sheepshead, whiting, bluefish, lady fish, red fish, snappers, catfish, and the infamous snook. Don’t forget to pick up an inexpensive crab net for the kiddies. If you don’t catch any fish you are almost guaranteed a crab dinner for the sand, blue and stone crabs live at the base of the pillions.
Teaming with monster snook, Spanish mackerel, red fish, various snappers assorted bait stealer’s and enormous sheepshead, Humphries Park (the south jetty) or Casey Key Park (north jetty) are highly praised spots to watch the sunset and wet your line for a fish or two.
Now if you don’t mind rock hopping, there is the inter coastal waterway which makes Venice an island. Under all three bridges are some excellent fishing for all types of bait fish as well as jacks, blues, red fish, trout, sheepshead and snook.
There are also three boat ramps in our area. Higel Park, located on the island of Venice, Florida, Marina Boat Ramp off of Venice Avenue and the Venice Inlet boat ramp on Casey Key. They sport picnicking and fishing. Venice Inlet has a mini-pier at its location, Marina has a dock and park with rocks to hop and Higel has a small pavilion. Remember, people are mainly here to launch their boats. So be respectful and don’t cast your lines around those launching activities.
Now that we are all on the same page and being respectful, we need to know a few rules and regulations. Open container rule is simple; if you got to drink make sure it’s alcohol free. You’re allowed the alcohol beverage in your possession but only unopened. No glass containers on the beach, period. If you are on the City Fishing Pier you do not need a license to fish. If you are from out of state and venture onto the beach with fishing rod in hand, you had best have a license. If you are fishing for snook and plan on keeping your catch, you need to have a snook stamp and the only way to purchase a snook stamp is to first have a fishing license; regardless of where you come from. If you fish in a boat or plan to fish in a boat, you must have a fishing license. Unless it is a party boat or a licensed guide where you have paid to fish, if you are from out of state; buy a license. You can purchase them at almost any tackle or discount store in the area. You may also purchase your fishing license online. When in doubt, get one and be safe. If your a nonresident a annual saltwater fishing license costs $31.50, 7 Day license $16.50 and 3 Day $6.50. For us residents of the state it comes to a whopping $13.50. Tight lines everyone and have a great day fishing!
