When I was in Venice about 15 years ago there was a nice fishing pier out into the bay. You could see flounder, sheepshead and other species right under you but all I caught was theirhttp://www.venicefishingpier.com/images/10.jpg type of bergall. At that time it only cost $1 to get on. I think they rented rods also.
www.venicefishingpier.comhttp://www.venicefishingpier.com/images/10.jpg