Surf Fishing the Gulf Coast of Florida: A Complete Guide

Written by Jennifer Paul in Surf Fishing 

Surf fishing is a favorite among anglers the world over. It’s straightforward, efficient, and doesn’t require a boat. A classic, laid back pastime, it is a method best done on a quiet beach, in the evening or early morning, when frenzied, feeding schools of fish clog tidal pools and currents.  One region where this activity is particularly vibrant is Florida’s Gulf Coast. With more than 600 miles of beachfront and hundreds of varieties of fish for the catching, the coastline extending from the panhandle, down the western side of the peninsula, make this region of the Sunshine State a surf fishing paradise.

So Many Beaches, So Little Time: Great Florida Gulf Coast Surf Fishing Spots

From Pensacola to Ft. Myers, Florida’s Gulf Coast shoreline yields an abundance of great catches: Redfish; Pompano; Whiting; Sheepshead; Shark; and many more. While all Florida public beaches allow surf fishing, some only permit it in select areas. It’s best to research online to understand what to expect – and which locations work for you – before heading out for your fishing adventure. Note: Resident anglers are required to purchase a Florida shoreline saltwater fishing license. Out-of-state visitors must buy a temporary non-resident fishing license. Anyone under 16 and over 65 years do not need a license but should have their i.d. handy.  Find more information at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

For the scoop on incredible surf fishing destinations along Florida’s Gulf Coast, check out the following:

  • Pensacola Beach– Known as the “Red Snapper Capital of the World,” Pensacola lives up to its name, and then some: Beautiful bays and what seems like an infinite stretch of sugary white beachfront, all ready to be enjoyed. A great spot for surf fishing here is Pensacola’s Johnson Beach. Less crowded than many other beaches in the area, Johnson Beach consistently attracts not only Redfish and Pompano but, in season, Tarpon and Sharks. One thing to keep in mind: The far eastern end of Johnson Beach is an unofficial nudist beach. Not to worry, though, there’s enough distance separating that specific area and surf fishing.

  • Ft. Walton Beach – Another panhandle hotspot. Find a good stakeout behind the boardwalk or on the eastern side of the island, down near the jetties. This part of the beach is a popular place for Spanish Mackerel. Unfortunately, it seems that the seabirds got the same memo on this. Be prepared to compete with these predators, as they circle, and dive for the schools of fish gathering underwater. No problem. The catch will be well worth it.

  • Panama City Beach – Anyone, regardless of experience, can enjoy surf fishing any time on Panama City Beach! Get the scoop on what is biting by checking in with any tackle shop or calling Dan Russell Pier for up to date info. The information you get should be applicable anywhere you set up to fish on Panama City Beach.

  • Sanibel Island-Down the Florida peninsula is beautiful Sanibel Island, just off the southwest coast of Florida by Fort Myers. A barrier island, Sanibel is famous for its fabulous shelling beaches. The island has a unique geographical orientation, lying East to West instead of North to South. Because of that, it naturally collects a fantastic array of seashells, which decorate its beaches.  Fishing from anywhere along Sanibel’s beaches is incredible. Beginning in late spring, Monster Snook, Tarpon, and Sharks start to appear.  Most of the fish sit in gullies lying between the shore and the first sandbar.  Many surf fishers wade out far and then cast out. 

  • Marco Island – Not far from the famous Florida Everglades and the city of Naples, Marco Island is one of the state’s Ten Thousand Islands. It is the largest and only developed island of the group. Some of Florida’s best surf fishing is on the southernmost point of the island at South Beach. About the size of a football field, South Beach attracts Whiting, Snook, and Flounder, along with other larger species. A big congregation point for the fish is where the Caxambas Bay cuts through the Ten Thousand Islands.

To get the real story on the fishing action, it’s always a good idea to break bread – or at least, buy bait – with the locals. Local bait shops are like the oracles of fishing. They are the places to get the insider’s take on the area, learn which fish are biting, types of bait to use, daily conditions, and other valuable information. For information about the previously mentioned beaches, here’s a selection of bait and tackle shops located nearby.

Gear Up

No article about surf fishing would be complete without information equipment and gear. The following is a run-through of surf fishing gear basics that apply to fishing on Florida’s Gulf Coast and beyond.

  • Rods & Reels – Casting distance is a significant factor when you want to make sure that you have the right rod for Florida Gulf Coast surf fishing. In most cases, the fish will be feeding in ridges extending 10 yards or more, so an 8 to 12-foot rod is probably the best choice. As with just about any other surf fishing expedition, either a conventional level-wind or a spinning rod will do. If you are unfamiliar with the fishing spot, talk to the locals or check out online forums to see what other experienced surf anglers suggest. Recommendations: Okuma’s Longitude Surf Fishing Rods, Berkley X5 Braided Line,  Daiwa BG Spinning Reel.

  • Tackle & Surf Fishing Rigs – Sonar-mapping fish finders, like the top-rated Lowrance HOOK2 7 – 7-inch Fish Finder, are popular. There is also the simple one, two or three hook version of the simple Flapper rig, probably one of Surf Fishing’s most reliable rigs. Another favorite is a Drop rig, which allows anglers to tie the bait-leader above the line to the lead, then position the bait from the bottom. Two-hook dropper loop rigs are great in pulling in bottom fish, such as Pompano, Snook, Sheepshead, or even Sharks. Use corks to run the bait-leader through and keep it well above the seafloor. The options are endless. Recommendations: Top Bottom rig, Pompano rig, Sabiki rig

  • Bait – Fresh, peeled, headless shrimp – bought anywhere – is the easiest and most popular. But perhaps the best bait for surf fishing are Sand Fleas. Get a Sand Flea net to catch these little guys in the surf. More about that in our article The Best Bait for Surf Fishing.  Make sure to buy a five-gallon bait bucket for the live bait with a perforated lid and portable, battery-powered aerator for water oxygenation. Sharks go crazy for Northern Mackerel, Bonita chunks, Ladyfish chunks, or Bluefish chunks.  Lures, especially something like spoons or twitchbaits, are ideal if any Bonita, Blue Runners, or Spanish Mackerel show up in the current.
  • Rod Holders & Spikes – Rod holders keep rods and reels out of the sand. They’re easy to buy or to create as a DIY project. Simply cut a three-foot piece of PVC pipe with a hacksaw. Here's an example of a sand spike.
  • Tools – A good bait or fishing knife is a must for cutting lines and other needs. Sturdy gloves prevent hands from getting sliced to ribbons by sharp teeth and fins. Other necessities include comfortable, but sturdy beach shoes; long-nose pliers to remove hooks from fish; a good net. Nail clippers can also be as useful as a Swiss Army knife, so a pair of those is always a good thing. A sampling of valuable tools and brands: Fishing Knife, Fishing Gloves, Fishing Scissors.
  • Hooks – There are circular hooks, J-hooks, kahle hooks, and treble hooks. Check out our post on Kahle Hooks vs Circle hooks, or our post Is a Treble Hook Illegal in Florida? for some advice on choosing the right hook.
  • Beach Carts — With so much gear needed to catch all those fish safely, a beach cart to transport it all is probably just as important as the fish themselves! Beach carts come in all shapes, sizes, and values. There are trendy handmade, high-tech PVC-framed carts that sell at many bait and tackle shops for up to $200. Manufactured versions like these are most popular:  Berkley Fishing Cart and Angler’s Fish N Mate Beach Cart

Go Fish!

An old expression says to “Shoot while the ducks are flying.” In the case of surf fishing, it’s more like “Fish when the schools are feeding.” Several key factors need to be in place for a good surf fishing outing. The peak time for surf fishing is always when the fish come close to shore to feed. This period starts late in the afternoon, through the night, and into the early morning hours. Another critical factor is that there are no swimmers, or, at least, a few swimmers as possible.

The next step is to find the actual path and activity of the fish to determine where to set up and cast. During the feeding frenzy, the schools move in columns. There is a definite structure to what they are doing, almost like a dance. To understand exactly where it will be most beneficial to set up, the angler should try to first scope out the situation from a high point on the beach, like the top of a dune. From there, it is best to try to pinpoint any changes in the watercolor.  Lighter colored water indicates shallow areas, while darker colors represent deeper regions, known as “holes.”  Spotting the ebb and flow of the currents is also critical. Fish typically stay in the trough between the beach and sandbars or a reef on an outgoing tide, but they flow out through gaps.

Before you first cast, decide if you will keep your catch or release it back into the wild. A common understanding among most anglers is not to waste a fish or kill for the sake of killing. Fish are usually kept for eating or for use as bait. If that is not the case, then carefully remove the hook from its mouth and place it gently back into the sea where it belongs. Until next time!  

What better way to spend time – be it alone, with friends or with family — than surf fishing?  Even better when it’s happening on one of the sugar-white beaches of Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast. The resources, product details, and other general information provided in this guide should give a good start to anyone interested in learning more about this incredible sport and bountiful coastline. For more information, check out our YouTube channel.  

“If all politicians fished, instead of spoke publicly, we would be at peace with the world.”

Will Rogers

Tight lines and high tides y'all!

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