Fishing Etiquette While Pier Fishing in Venice Florida

Fishing Etiquette, is knowing just how to or how not to behave when fishing at the beach, so as not to be labeled ‘The Ugly Fisherman’; all of our visitors from up north, as well as a number of locals need to have fishing etiquette while “Surf & Pier Fishing”! Look at your surroundings before trucking across the beach to the waters edge. Do not set up and fish in a swimming area; posted or not! Swimmers and hooks do not mix! 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 Pawpark 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. A quarter of the way out is a small souvenir shop that also sells light tackle and assorted fish 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.

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. If you have to have a beer, go to the bar or stay home but dont come out here; first its against the law, second we don’t want you and third, if I’m out here; I’ll drop a dime; get the picture?

While fishing, out on the “T” or anywhere on the pier, always be alert when casting your baits. Try using Joe’s verbiage “DUCK OR BLEED!” loudly, before casting and just see how many people look up and move out of your way. It’ll clear a pier. Now you can cast but just like a pitcher on the mound, take that second look around to be sure nobody is stealing bases behind you; now cast. Should you cross anothers line on your cast, do not fret; for we all do it, at some point in time. Simply let someone know that you have crossed their line and move your rod accordingly. Verbiage may be exchanged but that is expected; tempers only seem to flare when one simply ignores the fact that this is a public pier and we must all get along and act as a team. If you can’t do that; “STAY AWAY!” We are all out here to have fun, to learn and to enjoy the outdoors. Tight lines, good fishing and “FISH ON!”