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: 6 AM – 11 PM daily
- Pier fee: $8.50 adult · $5 child · $5.50 senior
- 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)
- 3/4 – 2 oz pyramid sinker on bottom
- 2 dropper loops up the main line
- Size 2 to 1/0 circle hooks
- Shrimp, squid, or cut bait
Float Rig (snook, trout)
- Slip float set to depth (6–10 feet)
- Small split shot below
- 1/0 circle hook on a 2' fluoro leader
- Live shrimp or pinfish
Plug Rig (Spanish mackerel)
- Medium spin rod, 15 lb braid
- 24" wire leader (vital for teeth)
- Chrome/red Gotcha plug
- Fast retrieve, long casts
Sheepshead Rig (around pilings)
- Small egg sinker, 1/4 – 1/2 oz
- #4 or #2 short-shank hook
- Fiddler crab or barnacles
- 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.Back to Fishing