What You'll Find at Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach runs along Broward County's Atlantic coast and holds three distinct fishing zones: the Hollywood Pier, the north and south jetties that frame the inlet, and the shallow flats and nearshore waters behind them. The pier is the easiest access point—it's open to the public, requires no boat, and holds Spanish mackerel, pompano, and jack crevalle year-round. The jetties produce larger fish but demand wading or a boat to reach them safely. The flats behind the inlet are where you'll find permit, tarpon, and bonefish if you're willing to wade or hire a guide.
The beach itself is narrow and heavily developed, so you're fishing in the middle of a busy tourist town. That means crowds on weekends, parking challenges, and water that can get murky after storms. But it also means consistent structure, reliable baitfish, and fish that have learned to feed in shallow, clear water when conditions allow.
Key Takeaways
- The Hollywood Pier is free to walk and open 24 hours, making it the most accessible spot for Spanish mackerel, pompano, and jacks without a boat.
- The north and south jetties hold larger fish but require wading experience or a boat to reach safely, especially during rough seas.
- The inlet flats behind the beach hold permit and tarpon in spring and fall, but you'll need a shallow-draft boat or be prepared to wade long distances.
- Water clarity drops quickly after storms and heavy rain, so check conditions before driving; the best fishing happens during calm, sunny periods.
- Parking fills fast on weekends and holidays—arrive early or use the paid lots on Hollywood Boulevard rather than hunting for street parking.
The Hollywood Pier: Easiest Access and Consistent Action
The Hollywood Pier extends 1,000 feet into the Atlantic and is the most straightforward place to fish if you don't have a boat. It's open 24 hours, free to walk, and you can fish from the railings without a license (Florida residents and visitors both). The pier draws Spanish mackerel in the 2- to 4-pound range most of the year, with heavier fish showing up in fall and winter. Pompano work the sandy bottom near the pilings, especially during the cooler months. Jack crevalle and small tarpon cruise the deeper water on the seaward end.
The pier gets crowded on weekends and during tourist season (November through March), so expect company and the noise that comes with it. Bring your own tackle—there's no bait shop on the pier itself, though a few shops sit a few blocks away on Hollywood Boulevard. The best bite usually happens in early morning before the crowds arrive and in the hour before sunset. Night fishing is allowed and can be productive for tarpon and larger jacks, but the pier is well-lit and busy even after dark.
Bring light to medium spinning tackle and live mullet or pilchards if you can get them. Cut bonito or mackerel works when live bait isn't available. The pier has benches and shade structures, so you can fish for hours without much discomfort, though the sun reflects hard off the water and concrete.
The North and South Jetties: Bigger Fish, More Difficulty
The jetties that frame the inlet on either side of the pier hold larger Spanish mackerel, permit, tarpon, and big jacks, but they're harder to fish than the pier. The north jetty is more accessible from the beach and gets less pressure. The south jetty requires either a boat or a long wade through deeper water. Both are built of large rocks that shift and can be slippery, especially when wet or covered with algae.
If you're wading, wear good shoes with grip and watch the surge—the Atlantic can push hard against the rocks, and a fall means a swim in a strong current. The best approach is to fish the jetties at slack tide or during the incoming flow, when the current is manageable. Outgoing tide can sweep you off balance or pull you away from the structure.
Bring heavier tackle than you'd use on the pier—8- to 10-pound test minimum—because the fish here are larger and the rocks will fray lighter line. Live mullet, mackerel, or bonito work best. The jetties produce year-round, but spring and fall bring the biggest permit and tarpon. Early morning and late afternoon are most productive.
The Inlet Flats: Permit, Tarpon, and Wading
Behind the inlet, between the jetties and the beach, lies a system of shallow flats and channels that hold permit, tarpon, and bonefish. This water is typically 2 to 4 feet deep and clear enough to sight fish when the sun is high and the wind is calm. The flats are best fished by wading or from a shallow-draft boat—kayaks work well if you're comfortable poling yourself.
Permit are the prize here, and they're spooky. They feed on crabs and shrimp in the shallows and will bolt at the sight of a shadow or a careless footstep. Tarpon show up in spring (March through May) and again in fall (September through November), often cruising the channels between the flats. Bonefish are less common than permit but present year-round in small numbers.
If you're wading, move slowly and watch the water ahead of you. Wear polarized sunglasses to cut the glare and spot fish before they spot you. Bring a fly rod or light spinning tackle with small crabs or shrimp. The flats are shallow enough that you can walk out 200 yards from shore, but the bottom is soft mud and seagrass—wear wading boots to protect your feet.
When to Fish and What to Expect
Hollywood Beach fishes year-round, but conditions and species change with the season. Fall and winter (September through March) bring the most consistent action and the largest fish. Spanish mackerel are abundant, tarpon move through the inlet, and permit feed actively in the flats. Water is clearer and cooler, and the weather is more stable.
Spring (March through May) is tarpon season on the flats, with fish moving through the inlet and staging in the shallow water. Permit are also active. Summer brings heat, afternoon thunderstorms, and murky water after rain, but the flats can still hold fish early in the morning before the sun heats the water.
Check the forecast before you go. Rough seas make the jetties dangerous and the flats unfishable. Heavy rain or runoff from the New River (which empties into the inlet) can turn the water brown and shut down the bite for days. The best conditions are calm, sunny days with light wind and a rising tide.
Getting There and Parking
Hollywood Beach is on the Atlantic coast in Broward County, about 20 miles north of Miami. The pier is at the end of Hollywood Boulevard, where it meets the beach. There's a large paid parking lot adjacent to the pier (rates vary by season and day of week) and street parking on the surrounding blocks, though it fills quickly on weekends and holidays.
If you're wading the flats or jetties, park at the beach lot or on the street near the pier and walk to your access point. The beach is public, so you can enter anywhere along the shoreline, but the pier area has the most facilities—restrooms, showers, and nearby restaurants and shops.
The nearest tackle shops are a few blocks inland on Hollywood Boulevard. If you're coming from out of state and need to rent a boat for the flats or deeper water, several charter and rental operations work out of nearby Deerfield Beach and Fort Lauderdale, about 10 to 15 minutes north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a fishing license to fish the Hollywood Pier?
No. Florida allows anyone to fish from public piers without a license. If you fish from a boat or wade into the water, you'll need a license. Florida residents can purchase a three-day license online, and non-residents can buy a seven-day or annual license through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
What's the best time of day to fish the pier?
Early morning (sunrise to 9 a.m.) and late afternoon (4 p.m. to sunset) are most productive. The pier is quieter then, and fish feed more actively. Night fishing can be good for tarpon and large jacks, but expect crowds and noise from the surrounding beach bars and restaurants.
Can I fish the jetties if I've never waded rocks before?
Yes, but start on the north jetty during calm conditions and slack tide. Wear shoes with good grip, move slowly, and don't venture out far until you're comfortable with the footing. If the water is rough or the current is strong, stick to the pier instead. The rocks are slippery and the current can be dangerous.
What happens to the fishing after a storm?
Water clarity drops for several days after heavy rain or rough seas. The New River inlet brings freshwater and sediment into the system, turning the water brown. Fish stop feeding actively until the water clears. Wait at least two to three days after a storm before making the drive, and check the forecast for another rain event before you go.
Are there guides available for the flats?
Yes. Several guides work the Hollywood and Deerfield Beach area and specialize in permit, tarpon, and bonefish on the flats. They have shallow-draft boats and know the tides and structure. Expect to pay $400 to $600 for a half day. Book in advance, especially during spring and fall when the flats are most productive.