Pier 60 Fishing Guide

Pier 60 is the most accessible fishing experience in Tampa Bay. Walk up, pay the pier fee, rent a rod, buy bait, and fish. The pier's blanket saltwater license covers every angler, so out-of-state visitors, kids, and first-timers can all fish legally without a Florida license. It's one of the only places on the Gulf Coast that makes this easy.

Hours, Costs & Rentals

• Pier walkway: 24/7, free to walk
• Bait shop / fishing: 7 AM – 10 PM daily (verify before you go)
• Pier fee: $12 adult, $10 senior, $8 kids for a daily pass (rates change; verify at the bait shop). Pier 60 reopened to fishing in September 2025 after nearly a year of post-hurricane closure; some sections may still be under repair.
• Rod rental: ~$10/day + $20 refundable deposit
• Bait: shrimp ~$7, squid ~$5, silver trout ~$12, cut bait available
• Fish cleaning station on-site

What You'll Catch (By Season)

Spring (Mar–May)

• Spanish mackerel — the big event. Gotcha plugs at dawn.
• Pompano — sand fleas or clam snouts, sandy bottom
• Sheepshead — fiddler crabs around the pilings
• Spotted sea trout — artificial shrimp near the pier pilings

Summer (Jun–Aug)

• Snook — live pinfish at dawn near the pilings
• Tarpon — occasional jumps from the end of the pier in June
• Flounder — bottom rigs with finger mullet
• Blue runner and jack crevalle — fast action

Fall (Sep–Nov)

• Spanish mackerel run #2 — even better than spring
• Bull redfish — massive schooling over-slot fish
• King mackerel — occasional 20-pounders from end of pier

Winter (Dec–Feb)

• Whiting — sandy bottom close to shore, excellent eating
• Sheepshead (peak) — barnacle-scraping around pilings
• Black drum — crabs and cut shrimp

Essential Pier Rigs

Bottom Rig (catch-all)

1. 3/4 – 2 oz pyramid sinker on bottom
2. 2 dropper loops up the main line
3. Size 2 to 1/0 circle hooks
4. Shrimp, squid, or cut bait

Float Rig (snook, trout)

1. Slip float set to depth (6–10 feet)
2. Small split shot below
3. 1/0 circle hook on a 2' fluoro leader
4. Live shrimp or pinfish

Plug Rig (Spanish mackerel)

1. Medium spin rod, 15 lb braid
2. 24" wire leader (vital for teeth)
3. Chrome/red Gotcha plug
4. Fast retrieve, long casts

Sheepshead Rig (around pilings)

1. Small egg sinker, 1/4 – 1/2 oz
2. #4 or #2 short-shank hook
3. Fiddler crab or barnacles
4. Feel for the tap, set quickly

Pier Etiquette

• Don't cast over someone else's lines
• If you hook a big fish, announce it — others will clear the rail
• Clean up your spot — the pier staff notices
• Watch where you're walking at night (rigs, coolers)
• No music — let other people enjoy the quiet

Night Fishing on Pier 60

The pier stays open 24/7 and night fishing is completely legit. Overhead lights attract baitfish which attract predators — big snook, flounder, and occasional large trout hunt under the pier lights after dark. Bring a headlamp, long sleeves, and a buddy.

First time on Pier 60? Start at the end of the pier with a bottom rig and cut shrimp. You'll catch something. Once you've got a feel for the pace, move to the center, upgrade to live bait, and target the structure you see below you.

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