Pete's Pier Bait & Tackle: Crystal River — Local services in Crystal River

Drove here this past Sunday to go paddle boarding with my wife. Arrived around 10:00 a.m. and parked at one of the dozen or so spaces marked "Pete's Pier" next to the dock. I was careful to avoid the first few spaces which are clearly marked as reserved for bait shop customers. Paid the required parking fee at the unattended self-service pay station and placed the receipt on our dashboard per the instructions.

As we're offloading our gear, some guy (presumably from a charter service) walks by and asks if we're here for a charter. I tell him no, I paid for parking only and we're just here for some paddle boarding. He tells me these parking spaces are for charter customers only and that I'll get a fine for parking here. (There is no sign anywhere indicating that). He tells me I can park at the other lot where the boat trailers are.

So I drive over to the trailer lot and find all of those spaces are already occupied. So I get out of my car again, walk into the bait shop and speak to an employee who tells me to go ahead and park behind a boat trailer even if the space is occupied. So that's what I end up doing.

They put an unnecessary damper on my morning. What kind of business sets up parking spaces with a pay station and then tells paying customers they...

Great place to launch a kayak or boat to visit 3 Sisters spring.There is a fee to park at Pete's: $10 for a vehicle or $15 for vehicle and trailer. Pay at the bait and tackle shop behind the boat launch on the dock. We launched kayaks at Pete's next to the boat launch, behind the dumpster enclosure. When paddling out, turn left out of Pete's and hug the left side of the bay. Eventually you will pass under a bridge and see homes both sides. Once the homes on the left disappear, you will be getting close to the springs. 3 sisters will be on your left. You can enter between the poles that mark the entrance. Kayaks can enter(when it's not manatee season) but boats cannot. Boats can anchor outside and passengers can swim in through the poles. I recommend bringing mask and fins and floatation (pool noodle) to enjoy the spring. We saw lots of fish, crabs and cormorant in the perfectly clear 72° water. This is a must see if you enjoy Florida's springs. You may want to bring an anchor for your kayak if you choose to swim. On our trip, the weather was windy and Kings bay out of Pete's was choppy. It actually got worse in the bay as we returned. Almost too much for a kayak! Check...

Awesome service! Parked our 53' Bertram overnight at the Dock with no problems. Staff was great next morning on services, ice, etc. We come here weekly with our smaller Boats for bait, drinks, ice, and the perts. THEY COUNT THE BAIT UNLIKE SOME OTHER BAIT PLACES ALONG THE RIVER WHERE IT TURNS LEFT BY A BRIDGE ON FT ISLAND TRAIL. If you order 200 Shrimp you get 205. They also DONT GIVE YOU SAND PERCH AS PINFISH OR WORSE YET, JUVENILE MANGROVE SNAPPER THAT FWC WILL BUST YOU FOR HAVING. I mean can you just imagine it now Check? Oh yeah.... I'm sorry I have these way undersized Snapper in my Livewell Officer. The Guy at the Baitshop must've put those in there. Check your Bait if you're buying live fish. Check the rest then buy from the best. Pete's never...