Nicol Park, Port St. John Fishing

Nicol Park is a simple, shady lagoon spot on the Indian River, where the county sets aside 700 feet of shoreline for fishing and lists the park for rocket launch viewing.

• 700 feet of designated shoreline fishing along a rock-edged bank
• Seatrout, redfish and black drum through the year, sheepshead in winter
• Free parking, restrooms, a drinking fountain and four small pavilions
• Shade trees and a paved walkway along the park
• The county keeps the park and restrooms open after hours when a launch is scheduled

The park is at 6660 North Cocoa Boulevard (US Highway 1) in Port St. John, on the east side of the highway beside the Indian River.

• Hours: the county lists it as open from dawn to dusk, staying open later for scheduled rocket launches
• Parking: free, in the lot along the park's west side
• The walk: a paved walkway runs through the shade, and the lawn leads down to the rock-edged bank
• Where to fish: along the park's riverfront, where the county lists 700 feet of shoreline for fishing
• The county's Port St. John boat ramp is a short way south along US 1

This stretch of the north lagoon is classic seatrout and redfish water, with seasonal visitors.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and redfish along the grass edges, black drum on the bottom, jacks returning
• Summer (Jun-Aug): ladyfish and jacks chasing bait, mangrove snapper along the rocks, seatrout at first light
• Fall (Sep-Nov): mullet schools bring redfish, jacks and seatrout close to the bank
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum along the rocks, seatrout on the warmest afternoons
• Snook are only occasional this far north in the lagoon

A light spinning rod with 10 to 15 lb braid and a fluorocarbon leader is all this bank needs.

• A live shrimp under a popping cork, cast out past the rocks, for seatrout and redfish
• Shrimp or crab on a light bottom rig at the base of the rocks for black drum and sheepshead
• Small soft plastics on a light jig head, worked over the grass, for seatrout
• A small spoon or jig for jacks and ladyfish when bait is on the surface
• Keep the rig up off the rocks at your feet, where snags are common

The lagoon here has almost no tide, so wind direction and the time of day matter more than any tide chart.

• The bank faces east across the river, so an east wind blows onshore and stirs up the edge, while a west wind leaves it flat and clear
• A light chop along the bank often helps the seatrout and redfish bite
• Dawn and dusk are best in summer
• After winter cold fronts, fish the warmer afternoons
• Heavy rain can darken the water along the shore; use natural bait

An easy roadside park, but the shoreline itself is rock and the highway is close.

• The rocks along the bank are uneven and slick when wet; fish from the top rather than climbing down to the water
• Lightning is the main summer danger; leave at the first thunder
• US 1 runs right beside the park; keep children and gear away from the road
• Manatees use the lagoon; never cast at them
• The paved walkway and grass make the bank easy to reach, though the edge itself is rough

The park is set up for families and picnics as well as fishing.

• Restrooms and a drinking fountain
• Four small pavilions (the Falcon, Kingfisher, Owl and Scrub Jay), which can be reserved
• Picnic shelters with grills and benches through the park
• A playground
• Free parking, which stays open to the public even when a pavilion is booked
• No bait shop at the park; bring your bait

• The county keeps the park open for scheduled launches, which can bring crowds; come early to claim a spot on the bank
• Walk the full 700 feet to find the fish; they move along the rocks with the wind
• Bring a small net and a towel: the rocks make landing fish awkward
• Winter sheepshead sit tight to the rocks; drop straight down beside them
• A pavilion makes a good base for a family session with shade and a picnic

Nicol Park is a Brevard County park; follow the posted park rules.

• County code allows fishing in county parks only where it is designated; the county lists the park's 700 feet of shoreline for fishing
• The park is open dawn to dusk, and stays open later when a launch is scheduled
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you qualify for an exemption
• Redfish fall under the FWC's Indian River Lagoon region rules, so check them and plan to release any redfish; snook need an FWC snook permit to keep
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything