Florida Surf Fishing Guide
Florida coverage runs down the Atlantic coast from Amelia Island to Miami Beach, through the Keys, and up the Gulf Coast from Naples to Pensacola.
Striper Tracker covers 21 Florida surf-fishing locations: Fernandina Beach / Amelia Island, Jacksonville Beaches, St. Augustine Beach, Daytona – Ponce Inlet – New Smyrna, Cocoa Beach / Cape Canaveral, Melbourne Beach – Sebastian Inlet, Fort Pierce Inlet (Vero), Jupiter – Juno Beach, Palm Beach – Lake Worth Beach, Fort Lauderdale – Broward, Miami Beach, Upper Keys (Key Largo–Islamorada), Middle Keys (Marathon–Seven Mile–Bahia Honda), Key West / Lower Keys, Naples – Marco Island, Fort Myers Beach – Sanibel, Sarasota – Siesta Key, Clearwater – St. Pete Beaches, Panama City Beach, Destin – Fort Walton (Okaloosa Island) and Pensacola Beach. Each one has its own Surf Fishing HQ page with live ocean temperature, tides, waves, wind and moon, and the fish usually in season.
Florida beaches we cover
Fernandina Beach / Amelia Island
Florida Atlantic · surf, inlet and pier · also covers Big / Little Talbot
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Sheepshead and Black drum. Main surf target: Pompano.
Tides: NOAA station 8720030 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41112
Jacksonville Beaches
Florida Atlantic · surf, pier and inlet · also covers Mayport jetties
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Sheepshead and Black drum.
Tides: NOAA station 8720291 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41117, 41112
St. Augustine Beach
Florida Atlantic · surf, pier and inlet · also covers Flagler Beach
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Sheepshead and Black drum. Main surf target: Pompano.
Tides: NOAA station 8720587 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41117
Daytona – Ponce Inlet – New Smyrna
Florida Atlantic · surf, inlet and pier · also covers New Smyrna
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Snook, Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Sheepshead and Black drum. Main surf target: Pompano.
Tides: NOAA station 8721120 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41070
Cocoa Beach / Cape Canaveral
Space Coast · surf, pier and inlet · also covers Jetty Park
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Snook, Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Sheepshead and Black drum. Main surf target: Pompano.
Tides: NOAA station 8721649 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41113
Melbourne Beach – Sebastian Inlet
Space Coast · surf and inlet · also covers Melbourne Beach
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Snook, Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Sheepshead and Black drum. Main surf targets: Pompano and Snook.
Tides: NOAA station 8722004 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41113
Fort Pierce Inlet (Vero)
Treasure Coast · surf and inlet · also covers Vero Beach
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Snook, Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Blacktip shark (aggregation), Sheepshead and Black drum. Main surf targets: Pompano and Snook.
Tides: NOAA station 8722212 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41114
Jupiter – Juno Beach
Palm Beaches · surf, inlet and pier · also covers Jupiter Inlet
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Snook, Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Blacktip shark (aggregation), Sheepshead and Black drum.
Tides: NOAA station 8722495 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41114
Palm Beach – Lake Worth BeachFree to view
Palm Beaches · surf, pier and inlet · also covers Boynton Inlet
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Snook, Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Blacktip shark (aggregation), Sheepshead and Black drum. Main surf target: Snook.
Tides: NOAA station 8722670 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41114
Fort Lauderdale – Broward
Gold Coast · surf, inlet and pier · also covers Deerfield / Pompano and Hollywood
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Snook, Whiting / sea mullet, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Blacktip shark (aggregation), Sheepshead and Black drum. Main surf target: Snook.
Tides: NOAA station 8722899 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41122
Miami Beach
Gold Coast · surf, inlet and pier · also covers Haulover and South Pointe
Seasonal species: Pompano, Red drum (surf), Snook, Whiting / sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, Tarpon, Blacktip shark (aggregation), Sheepshead and Black drum. Main surf target: Snook.
Tides: NOAA station 8723178 (semidiurnal) · Waves: NDBC buoy 41122
Upper Keys (Key Largo–Islamorada)
Florida Keys · bridge and flats · also covers Long Key / Channel 5
Seasonal species: Snook, Tarpon, Bonefish (flats), Gray snapper, Barracuda & jacks and Sharks.
Tides: NOAA station 8723814 (semidiurnal) · Waves: no nearshore buoy
Middle Keys (Marathon–Seven Mile–Bahia Honda)
Florida Keys · bridge and flats · also covers Bahia Honda / Big Pine
Seasonal species: Snook, Tarpon, Bonefish (flats), Gray snapper, Barracuda & jacks and Sharks.
Tides: NOAA station 8724032 (semidiurnal) · Waves: no nearshore buoy
Key West / Lower Keys
Florida Keys · shore and flats
Seasonal species: Snook, Tarpon, Bonefish (flats), Gray snapper, Barracuda & jacks and Sharks.
Tides: NOAA station 8724580 (mixed) · Waves: NDBC buoy 42095
Naples – Marco Island
Southwest Florida · surf, inlet and pier · also covers Marco
Seasonal species: Snook, Pompano (Gulf), Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, Sheepshead and Tarpon.
Tides: NOAA station 8725110 (mixed) · Waves: no nearshore buoy
Fort Myers Beach – Sanibel
Southwest Florida · surf, inlet and pier · also covers Sanibel and Bonita
Seasonal species: Snook, Pompano (Gulf), Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, Sheepshead and Tarpon. Main surf target: Snook.
Tides: NOAA station 8725366 (mixed) · Waves: no nearshore buoy
Sarasota – Siesta Key
Suncoast · surf, inlet and pier · also covers Lido, Venice and Anna Maria
Seasonal species: Snook, Pompano (Gulf), Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, Sheepshead and Tarpon.
Tides: NOAA station 8726034 (mixed) · Waves: NDBC buoy 42098
Clearwater – St. Pete Beaches
Suncoast · surf, pier and inlet · also covers Honeymoon Island and Fort De Soto
Seasonal species: Snook, Pompano (Gulf), Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, Sheepshead and Tarpon. Main surf target: Snook.
Tides: NOAA station 8726724 (mixed) · Waves: NDBC buoy 42098
Panama City Beach
Florida Panhandle · surf, pier and inlet · also covers St. Andrews SP
Seasonal species: Pompano (Gulf), Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, Sheepshead and Cobia.
Tides: NOAA station 8729210 (diurnal) · Waves: no nearshore buoy
Destin – Fort Walton (Okaloosa Island)
Florida Panhandle · surf, pier and inlet
Seasonal species: Pompano (Gulf), Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, Sheepshead and Cobia.
Tides: NOAA station 8729547 (diurnal) · Waves: no nearshore buoy
Pensacola Beach
Florida Panhandle · surf, pier and inlet · also covers Navarre and Perdido Key
Seasonal species: Pompano (Gulf), Red drum (surf), Whiting / sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, Sheepshead and Cobia.
Tides: NOAA station 8729807 (diurnal) · Waves: no nearshore buoy
Florida surf fishing seasons
NE Florida: Fernandina Beach / Amelia Island, Jacksonville Beaches and St. Augustine Beach
| Species | Usually around | Peak | How anglers fish it | Season source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pompano | Mar–May, Sep–Dec | Apr–May, Oct–Nov | Spring and fall runs along the NE Florida surf; sand fleas or Fishbites in the trough. FWC describes their movements as driven by water temperature. | general guidance |
| Red drum (surf) | all year | Sep–Nov | Cut mullet in the surf and around inlet jetties; the fall mullet run brings the bigger fish. | general guidance |
| Whiting / sea mullet | all year | Nov–Mar | Shrimp or sand fleas on small hooks in the first trough. | general guidance |
| Bluefish | Nov–May | Dec–Mar | Winter schools (report), with spring and late-fall fish too; metal spoons or cut bait. | regional research and general guidance |
| Spanish mackerel | Apr–Oct | May–Sep | A warm-season fish in NE Florida; small spoons or Gotcha plugs from piers and jetties. | general guidance |
| Tarpon | Aug–Nov | Sep–Nov | Follow the fall mullet run along the beach and at inlets. | regional research |
| Sheepshead | Dec–Apr | Feb–Mar | Fiddler crabs or shrimp along jetty rocks and pilings. | general guidance |
| Black drum | all year | Feb–Apr | Shrimp or crab on the bottom near inlets and bridges. | general guidance |
Central Florida Atlantic: Daytona – Ponce Inlet – New Smyrna, Cocoa Beach / Cape Canaveral, Melbourne Beach – Sebastian Inlet and Fort Pierce Inlet (Vero)
| Species | Usually around | Peak | How anglers fish it | Season source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pompano | Nov–Apr | Dec–Mar | The central coast is the winter core; cold fronts push fish in. Sand fleas or Fishbites in the trough. | regional research |
| Red drum (surf) | all year | Sep–Nov | Cut mullet in the surf and around inlet jetties; the fall mullet run brings the bigger fish. | general guidance |
| Snook | Apr–Nov | May–Oct | Inlets and jetties at night on moving tides; Canaveral is the northern edge of the range. Check FWC seasons before keeping any fish. | regional research |
| Whiting / sea mullet | all year | Nov–Mar | Shrimp or sand fleas on small hooks in the first trough. | general guidance |
| Bluefish | Dec–Mar | Dec–Mar | Metal spoons or cut bait when the winter schools show up. | regional research |
| Spanish mackerel | Oct–Apr | Mar–Apr, Nov–Dec | Present through winter (report), best on the fall and spring passes; small spoons from piers and jetties. | regional research and general guidance |
| Tarpon | Aug–Nov | Sep–Nov | Follow the fall mullet run along the beach and at inlets. | regional research |
| Sheepshead | Dec–Apr | Feb–Mar | Fiddler crabs or shrimp along jetty rocks and pilings. | general guidance |
| Black drum | all year | Feb–Apr | Shrimp or crab on the bottom near inlets and bridges. | general guidance |
| Blacktip shark (aggregation) | Dec–Apr | Jan–Mar | Northern edge of the southeast Florida winter aggregation. Shore-based shark fishing requires the free FWC shore-based shark permit. | regional research |
SE Florida: Jupiter – Juno Beach, Palm Beach – Lake Worth Beach, Fort Lauderdale – Broward and Miami Beach
| Species | Usually around | Peak | How anglers fish it | Season source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pompano | Dec–Mar occasional Apr, Nov | Jan–Feb | Winter-only on this narrow-shelf coast; sand fleas in the trough after a cold front. | regional research |
| Red drum (surf) | all year | Sep–Nov | Cut mullet in the surf and around inlet jetties; the fall mullet run brings the bigger fish. | general guidance |
| Snook | all year | May–Oct | Year-round, peaking at inlets and beaches in summer. Check FWC seasons; never assume harvest is open. | regional research |
| Whiting / sea mullet | all year | Nov–Mar | Shrimp or sand fleas on small hooks in the first trough. | general guidance |
| Bluefish | Dec–Mar | Jan–Feb | Winter schools when they come close; metal spoons. | regional research |
| Spanish mackerel | Nov–Apr | Dec–Mar | Winter migrants; small spoons or Gotcha plugs from piers and jetties. | regional research |
| Tarpon | Aug–Nov | Sep–Nov | Follow the fall mullet run along the beach and at inlets. | regional research |
| Blacktip shark (aggregation) | Dec–Apr | Jan–Mar | Southeast Florida winter aggregation. Shore-based shark fishing requires the free FWC shore-based shark permit. | regional research |
| Sheepshead | Dec–Apr | Feb–Mar | Fiddler crabs or shrimp along jetty rocks and pilings. | general guidance |
| Black drum | all year | Feb–Apr | Shrimp or crab on the bottom near inlets and bridges. | general guidance |
Florida Keys: Upper Keys (Key Largo–Islamorada), Middle Keys (Marathon–Seven Mile–Bahia Honda) and Key West / Lower Keys
| Species | Usually around | Peak | How anglers fish it | Season source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snook | Apr–Oct | May–Sep | Bridges, canals and shoreline structure at night on moving water. Check FWC seasons. | general guidance |
| Tarpon | Mar–Jul | Apr–Jun | Bridge fishing on the outgoing tide at night during the spring run. | regional research |
| Bonefish (flats) | all year | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | Wadeable flats on a rising tide in calm, warm water. Conditions only; this is mostly boat or guided fishing. | general guidance |
| Gray snapper | all year | Jun–Sep | Bridges and channel edges at night with shrimp or small baitfish. | general guidance |
| Barracuda & jacks | all year | Dec–Mar | Tube lures or flashy plugs around flats edges and channels. | general guidance |
| Sharks | all year | May–Sep | Release protected species; shore-based shark fishing needs the free FWC permit. | general guidance |
Southwest Florida: Naples – Marco Island, Fort Myers Beach – Sanibel, Sarasota – Siesta Key and Clearwater – St. Pete Beaches
| Species | Usually around | Peak | How anglers fish it | Season source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snook | Apr–Oct | May–Sep | Walk the beach at first light and sight-cast along the trough in summer. Check FWC seasons; never assume harvest is open. | regional research |
| Pompano (Gulf) | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Apr, Oct | Sand fleas or small jigs near passes and in the trough. | northern-Gulf data applied here |
| Red drum (surf) | all year | Aug–Nov | Passes and oyster edges on moving tides; cut bait or gold spoons. | general guidance |
| Whiting / sea mullet | all year | Nov–Mar | Shrimp in the first trough on light tackle. | general guidance |
| Spanish mackerel | Mar–May, Oct–Dec | Apr, Nov | Spoons or Gotchas from piers and passes during spring and fall runs. | general guidance |
| Sheepshead | Dec–Apr | Feb–Mar | Shrimp or fiddler crabs around pilings and jetties. | general guidance |
| Tarpon | Apr–Jul | May–Jun | Early-morning beach strings in late spring; heavy tackle, release with care. | general guidance |
Florida Panhandle: Panama City Beach, Destin – Fort Walton (Okaloosa Island) and Pensacola Beach
| Species | Usually around | Peak | How anglers fish it | Season source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pompano (Gulf) | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Apr, Oct | Spring is the best stretch on the northern Gulf. Sand fleas or pompano jigs in the first gut. | regional research |
| Red drum (surf) | all year | Sep–Nov | Cut bait or soft plastics in the surf and at passes; fall bull reds are the highlight. | general guidance |
| Whiting / sea mullet | all year | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | Shrimp or Fishbites in the first gut on light tackle. | general guidance |
| Spanish mackerel | Mar–May, Sep–Oct | Apr, Oct | Small spoons from the piers when clear water moves in. | regional research |
| Sheepshead | Dec–Apr | Feb–Mar | Shrimp or fiddler crabs around pier pilings and pass jetties. | general guidance |
| Cobia | Mar–May | Mar–Apr | Sight-fish cruising cobia from the Gulf piers during the spring run. | regional research |
Seasons are regional calendars from published sources, not checked for this exact beach. "Usually around" means the fish is normally present that month; it is not a rating of today's fishing, a catch report or a sighting.
Where the conditions come from
Ocean temperature comes from the nearest suitable NOAA buoy or water-level station, with NASA JPL MUR satellite temperature as a fallback; tides from NOAA tide stations; wind from the National Weather Service forecast; and moon phases from the U.S. Naval Observatory. Each beach page names its own stations and how old each reading is. Florida beach pages also show FWC red tide water samples as a separate advisory; a nearby sample does not prove a beach is affected or safe.
Licenses and regulations
Saltwater licenses, size limits and seasons change. Check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) before you fish.
More surf fishing guides
Surf Fishing HQ: live conditions, Delaware to the Gulf · Fall striper migration tracker