With the “pandemic-that-will-remain-nameless-here” still wreaking havoc, the strangeness and general unpredictability of our lives seems endless. On the bright side, cities across the U.S. are slowly opening up to visitors, albeit with masks and at safe social distances. Wouldn’t it be nice to plan a vacation or short get-away somewhere with family or friends? Do your research, and you will find that there are many great options. For surf fishing enthusiasts, this means finding just the right stretch of shoreline to set up a rod – or three or four – where the fish are biting. Why not consider Florida’s beautiful, historic Atlantic Coast? With so many incredible beaches and shorelines, finding the right surf fishing location is a huge no-brainer. Make this a family trip or expand the itinerary to include more variety, and Florida’s Atlantic “First Coast” is a wonderland. Following is a quick look at the beaches for fishing, fun to be had, and more, along Florida’s beautiful Atlantic Coast.:
Amelia Island, Nassau Country
The first and northernmost spot on our tour, Amelia Island, is part of Florida's Atlantic Sea Islands and barrier islands. Just 30 miles from Jacksonville, this historic island was first established by the Spanish in the 1570s. Today it’s a popular vacation destination known for its resorts, golf courses, and sandy beaches.
Amelia Island is ideal for surf fishing, especially as we head into late summer, then fall. This is the time of year when early morning and evening surf fishing on the island's Fernandina Beach yields a healthy amount of pompano, sea trout, flounder, whiting, bluefish, and redfish. A small jetty rock here is the ideal place to catch some unsuspecting flounder, sea trout, redfish and other fish. Easy access to some of the island's “little jetties” attract surfcasters to Amelia Island State Park on the southern tip of the island, as well and the George Crady public fishing pier. Note:
Bait & Tackle Shops:
Where to Stay:
Historic homes are bed & breakfasts, such as the Florida House Inn (1857) and the Amelia Island Williams House (1856). Other chain hotels and resorts.
Anglers can also check out the camping options at Fort Clinch St. Park.
Where to Eat:
A few favorites: Salty Pelican Bar & Grill Amelia Island Coffee Crab Trap
Jacksonville Beach, Duval County
Thirty miles south, in Florida’s state capital, Jacksonville Beach is a timeless vacation destination. The city has opened a newly redesigned golf course, is home to a famous fishing pier, and has a fabulous array of options when it comes to water activities. Surf fishing enthusiasts love the great selection of fish they can catch here. Bluefish is a very common catch, primarily if you fish with their favorite bait, finger mullet. Whiting, also known as Gulf Kingfish, stays close to Jacksonville Beach throughout most of the year. This type of fish is easy to catch with shrimp, clams and fish bites. It’s also unregulated in Florida. Find more in-depth information about surf fishing on Jacksonville Beach by visiting this website.
Jacksonville Beach Area Bait & Tackle Shops to Check Out:
Places to Stay in Jackson Beach:
Places to Eat in Jacksonville Beach:
St. Augustine, St. John’s County
Being America's oldest city isn't the only notable distinction for lovely St. Augustine. Here, 42 miles of sandy beachfront make the historic old town and its environs and playground for young and old, alike. To the north of St. Augustine, there is the idyllic Ponte Vedra Beach; to the south, Crescent Beach. Never a dull moment here, with surfing, kayaking, sailing, boogie boarding, and more. Oh yes, and let's not forget this other favorite past-time, popular along Florida's First Coast.
Surf Fishing enthusiasts seem to love going to the area around the inlet at Vilano Beach, near the jetty, and then on to Porpoise Point. (Warning: Fishing from the jetty is not a good idea; it can be dangerous, with unstable footing and rocks.) A little farther north, there’s Surfside Park.
Bait & Tackle Shops:
Where to Stay:
Where to Eat:
- The Reef Restaurant (beautiful ocean view)
- The Floridian (locally sourced food)
- Preserved (southern cuisine)
Flagler Beach, Flagler County
Farther south is Flagler Beach. The words “cozy,” “classic” and “old school” might come up in a conversation in which this little town is mentioned. A classic old Florida “boomtown” community development, Flagler was established in 1925. Like the county, it is named for turn-of-the century Florida tycoon and developer Henry Flagler. Here in Flagler there’s something for everyone: eclectic shops, open-air restaurants, and incredible ocean views just about anywhere you go. Especially nice is the free access to the beach. Locals have a saying that goes something like this: As soon as your feet hit the beach in Flagler, you become a native. Many visiting surf casters might agree.
Here, redfish are plentiful, especially when the bait is a live finger mullet or cut mullet. Put live shrimp at the end of the line, though, and it’s a flounder feeding frenzy. Other fish popular at Flagler are pompano, whiting and black drum. Fresh sand fleas and clams do well if you’re looking for the pompano, whiting and black drum fish. (Actually, it’s said that an old shoe could as bait would still hook a ravenous black drum here.
Another good surf fishing spot in the area is Varn Park. A short drive from Flagler Beach, this place is a hotspot for bluefish, whiting, flounder, and snapper. Even better, Varn Park has ample parking, restrooms, and outdoor showers, so three “thumbs up” for that place.
Flagler Area Bait & Tackle Shops:
Where to Stay in Flagler:
Where to Eat in Flagler:
Space Coast: Cape Canaveral Brevard County
Don’t let the nickname fool you. The “Space Coast” encompassing Cape Canaveral in Brevard County is more than just a drop off spot for astronauts. The stretch of beach from Canaveral National Seashore to Port Canaveral is ideal for surf fishing and has a sandy bottom. Part of the beach is off-limits due to the presence of NASA and Canaveral Air Force Base; so, this area can be accessed from the north at New Smyrna Beach and from at Titusville on the south side Playalinda Beach. Here, surfcasters catch Pompano, Croaker, Margate, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Bluefish, Snook, and more.
Other good locations along the Space Coast are Cocoa Beach, the jetties of Sebastian Inlet and Port Canaveral and Satellite Beach. At the time this article was written, a significant hurricane had just recently skirted the region. This is a good reminder to keep an eye on the weather, specifically tropical storms, from June through November. Besides residual wind gusts, these storms will turn a pristine, clear coastal shoreline into a murky seaweed-choked mess.
Space Coast Area Bait & Tackle Shops:
Where to Eat on the Space Coast:
- Rusty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
- The Fat Snook
- Café Surfinista
- Also, check out our favorite food blog for the area: Space Coast Foodies
Where to Stay on the Space Coast:
Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County
What's a surf caster not to love about beautiful Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Hillsboro, Hollywood, and the rest of southeast Florida’s Broward County? Boasting twenty-four picturesque miles of beaches and coastline, Broward is heaven for anglers who are happiest casting in the pre-dawn surf or late at night. The typical catch here consists of tarpon, flounder and mackerel, croaker, black tip shark, and others too numerous to name. Consider Broward County’s main coastal road, South Ocean Boulevard, your Yellow Brick Road to some of the area’s best fishing spots.
More than a dozen beaches in Broward County allow fishing. Considered the area's best surf fishing spot, Hallandale Beach, lies at the county’s southernmost tip. Other favorite beaches nearby are Keating Park and Hollywood North Beach Park. Farther north, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, and Dania Beach Ocean Park are also excellent places to go. These beaches are mostly free, except for parking.
Broward County Bait & Tackle Shops:
Where to Eat in Broward County:
Where to Stay in Broward County:
So grab a map or a computer and take a closer look at the wide array of surf fishing and family fun options along Florida's beautiful Atlantic Coast. And while you're here, visit our other popular pages The Best Bait for Surf Fishing and Best Spinning Reels for Surf Fishing.