The Rod and Reel Pier is a famous landmark easily reached from any of our Anna Maria rental homes. For families, the pier represents a perfect place to spend an evening out. Both the views and the food at the restaurant make it a popular attraction both for locals and tourists.
History of the Pier
The Rod and Reel Pier is a 678-foot long pier that was built in 1947. And it immediately proved to be a big success. People liked to hang out at the pier at the north end of Anna Maria Island. Anglers also decided that the pier was a perfect place to enjoy their favorite hobby.
In 2017 Hurricane Irma hit Florida and left a lot of devastation in its wake. The pier was damaged extensively and had to be closed to the public. Both the strong wind and the water tore the roof of the restaurant off altogether. The bait shop also suffered damage. When experts inspected the pier itself they found that some beams had shifted and the pilings were missing.
It took over 12 months for the place to be repaired and be ready for anglers and visitors once again.
Fishing
Since the history of the pier is interconnected with fishing, this would be a good place to talk about what attracts anglers to the pier. It has to do with Anna Maria Island’s location. Being close to the southern end of Tampa Bay, the water from the Manatee River, Terra Ceia, Palma Sola Bays converge on the island and create an amazing habitat for many fish species. This makes it an ideal place to cast a line and hone your fishing skills.
Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, blind luck will guide a fish to your line. Seawater fish flock to this area and find their way among the old pilings of the pier. Thankfully, other anglers with more experience will be happy to help you with a few tips.
Over the years, there were many big catches, but nothing compares to the record-breaking catch made by Frank Cavendish in 1973. Cavendish cast a shark line that afternoon and waited. He must have been aiming for a big catch that day because his shark line was really special. He used a forged hook with a chain leader. An inner tube was tied to it, a technique used in the movie Jaws.
When the hammerhead shark was hauled out of the water and weighed, it had exceeded 1,300 pounds. It’s a record that has yet to be broken. Keep in mind this was around 50 years ago.
Restaurant
The idea of the Rod and Reel Pier Restaurant was catchy enough to attract crowds of customers. This is usually the go-to place when you don’t know what to do with your evening. Here you can enjoy a delicious meal while admiring the bay and the marine life that swim around the pier.
Seafood features prominently on the menu. But you can also get the traditional fare, famous fish specials, and local favorites. Fish, clam, oyster, and scallops make up the main course.
Having said that, you can still get chicken here if you prefer. Sandwiches and snacks are also available when you visit between meals. They are popular choices for the anglers on the pier, who come hungry between meals from hours fishing on the pier.
Kids have their own meals here as well. These include chicken wings, hot dogs, fried shrimp, chicken fingers, and grilled cheese among others.
Location & Open Hours
The Rod & Reel Pier restaurant is located at 875 N Shore Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216. They are open Monday to Sunday between 8 am until 9 pm.
When vacationing and staying in one of Anna Maria Island waterfront rentals, make sure to visit the Rod and Reel Pier. You can fish, dine, and enjoy the bay from this amazing island landmark.