New Smyrna Beach Visitors Bureau

Click the link below to view or print a complete Fishing Guide

FISHING NEW SMYRNA BEACH!
New Smyrna Beach, Florida is truly an angler's paradise. It is situated on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River. Our river is part of the 3000 mile Intracoastal Waterway system. On the north end of the island is Ponce Inlet providing deep-water access, literally to the rest of the world. Casual anglers can get local access to about 35 miles of shoreline and public dock locations.

South of the Ponce Inlet rough granite rock jetty is New Smyrna Beach proper. Both sides of the jetty are soft sand perfect for driving in a rod holder and easy on bare feet. North, the deep channel attracts migratory and predatory fish.

Surf fishing can be quite productive. Pompano, whiting, flounder, redfish, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and others patrol the beach. Regulars catch their own bait usually sand fleas or fiddler crabs.

Every oceanfront rental property has fishing access. It is nice to walk out your back door and cast into the ocean. Equipment can be rented from several bait shops. Fresh caught local seafood can be yours!

Bottom fishing and diving on the reefs and wrecks can produce sizable catches of triggerfish, snapper, grouper, and lobster. Resting 11 miles northeast of Ponce Inlet and measuring 446ft., is the oldest and the most famous wreck- WW II Liberty ship, USS Mindanao.

Free jumping sailfish and big tuna live 40 miles out where the intercontinental shelf drops. Nothing smokes a reel like a 100 plus pound tuna. In the spring sailfish migrate up the coast.

The Indian River, which makes New Smyrna Beach a barrier island, is also a fishing Mecca. Almost every day of the year guides use fast shallow water flats boats to hunt a variety of fish: big gator trout, snook, reds, flounder and black drum. In October and November the river will produce tarpon in the 50-100 pound class.

New Smyrna Beach is a fisherman or woman's dream. Something is biting everyday. Offshore we have giant fish; inshore we have big ones. This community has a fishing heritage dating back hundreds of years. Some claim it is the oldest city in America. Historians argue over origins but nobody disputes the bounty of our waters.

FISHING LICENSE
Generally speaking, licenses are required in Florida for both fresh and saltwater fishing. The exception is when fishing from a privately owned dock. For Florida residents, defined as those who have lived in the state longer than six months, licensing is available ranging from one year up to a lifetime. Those under 16 years of age, or members of the Armed Forces stationed in Florida do not require a license. Special permit licensing is needed for seasonal snook, tarpon and lobster fishing.

Non-Residents can purchase licensing ranging for three days or a year for saltwater fishing and for seven days or a year for freshwater fishing. Penalties are steep for those caught without a license. Those who do purchase a license should know that fees represent a vital source of funding for statewide fish and wildlife conservation efforts. Licenses are available online, at many marinas and bait shops. Or, contact the Visitors Center for more details.