Updated: December 17, 2025
St. Pete/Clearwater offers excellent fishing opportunities year-round, whether you prefer pier, wade, or offshore charter trips. Local waters teem with kingfish, tarpon, snook, grouper, and more. Multiple accessible spots make it easy for beginners and experienced anglers alike to enjoy this popular vacation activity.
Around here, fish bite year-round and it's a great vacation activity whether you go out on your own, just you, the water and the fish, or make it a fun activity with the entire family!
I've spent countless mornings casting lines from these piers and wading the flats with my kids, and the variety of fish you can catch right from shore never gets old.
Even inshore or near shore a fisherman can hook kingfish, tarpon, trout, Spanish mackerel, snook and redfish.
Pier Fishing
No boat? No problem! The St. Petersburg/Clearwater has plenty of places to fish from a pier. The Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier, Pass-a-Grille Public Beach, Pier at Fort De Soto Park to just name a few.
Wade Fishing
St. Pete/Clearwater has some great wade fishing spots. Honeymoon Island State Park, Pass-a-Grille Beach, Fort De Soto Park or Weedon Island Preserve. All excellent Wade Fishing spots. All you need is a rod. For best results go first thing in the morning or at dusk.
Year Round Offshore Fishing
Reserving a spot on a charter boat is a great adventure! Going out into the deeper waters in the Gulf of Mexico, you'll catch some bigger grouper or snapper. Kingfish can be caught in spring and fall, around Easter and Thanksgiving time. A great charter to head out to deeper waters is Spanish Sardine Fishing Charters
Don't forget to follow the rules! A Florida fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older fishing from land or by boat. Licenses cost $17 for residents and $47 for non-residents (3-day licenses also available for $17). Shore/pier fishing requires different stamps than boat fishing. Check MyFWC.com or visit local bait and tackle shops for details.
At the end of a fun fishing day, you can prepare that fresh catch at your temporary home away from home Vacation Homes by Resort Rentals!
If you're looking for another fantastic fishing destination, the Outer Banks offers incredible opportunities too. From surf fishing to offshore charters, North Carolina's coast delivers year-round action. Check out Village Realty OBX for your next coastal fishing getaway!
