Frequently Asked Questions, and the Answers:

IS THERE A FEE TO FISH ON THE VENICE PIER? There is no fee to fish on the Venice Pier! Bring your own gear and bait, and you’re set to go. If you need to rent a rod & reel, or purchase live or frozen bait, Papa’s Bait Shop opens at 6 AM.

DO I NEED A LICENSE TO FISH FROM THE PIER?  No license is needed when fishing directly from the Pier. The City of Venice holds the licensing necessary, so the public is free to fish 24/7 from the Municipal Pier. If you wish to surf cast from the beach, you will need a Florida license. Licensing agencies are listed on on Links page.

WHAT CAN I GET AT PAPA’S BAIT SHOP? Papa’s Bait Shop, located half-way out on the Pier, carries rental fishing equipment and Florida snow shovels.  They also sell fresh & frozen bait, fishing tackle, hot coffee, cold drinks, suntan lotion, ice cream, hot snacks, and apparel. The Bait Shop is open from 6 AM to 9 PM, sometimes later, dependent on the weather.

WHAT IS THE COST TO RENT A ROD & REEL? With a $25 refundable deposit, you have the use of a rental rod & reel for $15 per day.

WHEN IS THE PIER OPEN? TheVenice Municipal Pier is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including all holidays. Papa's Bait Shop is usually open from 6 AM to 9 PM, 7 days a week, weather dependent.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO FISH FOR SHARKS? Sharks are night feeders, so you'll generally get the best results fishing from sundown to sunup. Since the Pier is open all night, it's a great spot to try your luck when shark fishing!

HOW DO YOU GET A LARGE FISH UP ON THE PIER ONCE IT IS ON YOUR LINE? Most fishermen bring along their gaff hook, or a large round net.  If the fish is really big, they'll take the time to walk it down the Pier toward the beach to reel it in.

WHAT BAIT WORKS BEST? It all depends on what you're trying to catch! The best all-around bait is live or frozen shrimp, frozen squid, or greenbacks (scaled sardines). Papa's Bait Shop sells the fresh and frozen shrimp & frozen squid, for your convenience.

CAN YOU CATCH FISH IN THE RAIN ON THE PIER? Yes, you can catch fish in the rain, but as Florida is the “Lightning Capital of the World”, it is NOT recommended. With a fishing pole in hand during a downpour, you become an instant lightning rod - and lightning from an approaching storm has been known to strike several miles away without any warning!

WHAT IS A FLORIDA SNOW SHOVEL? A Florida snow shovel aids in locating and collecting shark’s teeth in the beach sand. You can rent one for $5 per day with a refundable $25 deposit.

HOW DEEP IS THE WATER AT THE END OF THE PIER? The Pier extends out 700+ feet from shore, and depending on the tide, the water depth runs 15 to 18 feet.

WHO OWNS THE VENICE MUNICIPAL FISHING PIER?  The Pier is owned by the City of Venice.

CAN I HAVE A WEDDING OR CELEBRATION ON THE PIER?  Since the City owns the Pier, any events or special arrangements would have to be made through City Offices. Their webiste is on our LINKS page.