Fishing spots in Brevard County

Brevard County is Florida's Space Coast, 70 miles of Atlantic beach from Sebastian Inlet north past Cape Canaveral, backed by the Indian River and Banana River lagoons. Shore anglers come for the Sebastian Inlet North Jetty, open around the clock and famous for snook and the fall mullet run, for the Port Canaveral jetty pier at Jetty Park, and for the Cocoa Beach Pier's surf fishing. The long beaches produce pompano and whiting from fall to spring, and the lagoons offer trout, redfish and snook from causeways and parks.

Sebastian Inlet (north side)

• Character: A 24-hour, lighted, railed catwalk into a fast inlet.
• What it suits: Snook, redfish, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jacks, tarpon.
• Access: Sebastian Inlet State Park north entrance on A1A; park fee.

Cocoa Beach and the central beaches

• Character: Long surf beaches with the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier as the focal point.
• What it suits: Whiting, pompano, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, flounder.
• Access: Paid parking at the pier and numerous beach access points.

Port Canaveral

• Character: A deep ship channel with a paved jetty pier at Jetty Park.
• What it suits: Snook, sheepshead, black drum, redfish, mackerel.
• Access: Canaveral Port Authority park; day parking passes bought online.

Indian and Banana River lagoons

• Character: Shallow, grassy lagoons with causeway fishing.
• What it suits: Trout, redfish, snook, black drum.
• Access: Causeway parks and public shorelines.

Season	Likely species (shore)	Notes
Spring (Mar-May)	Snook, redfish, pompano, whiting, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, cobia	Cobia cruise the beaches on their northbound run.
Summer (Jun-Aug)	Snook, tarpon, mangrove snapper, jacks, croaker, flounder	Night snook at the north jetty; lightning most afternoons.
Fall (Sep-Nov)	Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, snook, redfish, jacks, tarpon	The mullet run, the county's peak season.
Winter (Dec-Feb)	Sheepshead, black drum, whiting, pompano, bluefish	Sheepshead crowd the Port Canaveral jetty.

• Inlet and jetty: Medium-heavy rods, 30-50 lb braid, 40-60 lb leaders, live mullet, pinfish or bucktails.
• Piers: Two-hook bottom rigs with shrimp or sand fleas; spoons and Gotcha plugs for mackerel.
• Surf: 10-12 ft surf rods and pompano rigs with sand fleas or Fishbites.
• Sheepshead: Fiddler crabs on short leaders close to the rocks.
• A drop net or bridge gaff for piers and jetties.

• Tides are semidiurnal (two highs and two lows a day) with a modest range of a few feet on the beaches.
• Inlets and the port channel turn the tide into strong current; the outgoing tide is best for snook and redfish.
• The lagoons have very little tide; wind moves the water.
• A northeast swell makes the beaches and jetties rough; light westerly winds give clean water.
• Cold fronts in fall and winter trigger bluefish and pompano runs.

• Inlet currents are dangerous; never swim near jetties.
• Ship wakes at Port Canaveral can surge along the jetty.
• Summer afternoon thunderstorms bring frequent lightning.
• Rip currents are common on surf beaches; shuffle your feet for stingrays.
• Keep away from surfers at Cocoa Beach.
• Jetty Park day parking must be bought online in advance.

• The north jetty at Sebastian Inlet is the only 24-hour jetty on this coast; go early in fall, it fills fast.
• Watch the cruise-ship schedule at Port Canaveral: big wakes often start a bite.
• Cocoa Beach Pier is best at dawn before the crowds.
• Carry spoons for the spring and fall Spanish mackerel runs.
• Check Sebastian Inlet District notices for jetty closures before a long drive.
• Rocket launch days bring heavy traffic around Port Canaveral.
• The lagoons fish well on windy days when the ocean is unfishable.

• Indian River County – the south jetty of Sebastian Inlet and the lagoon around Vero Beach.
• Volusia County – Ponce Inlet, Smyrna Dunes and the Daytona piers to the north.

• Do I need a fishing license to fish in Brevard County?
  • A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt; check FWC (myfwc.com). Some piers may have their own license coverage, so ask at the gate.
• Where can I fish at night?
  • The Sebastian Inlet north jetty is open 24 hours with lights; most parks close at sunset or in the evening.
• When is the mullet run?
  • Usually September through November, depending on water temperature.
• What is the best spot for a family with kids?
  • Jetty Park at Port Canaveral, with a paved pier, bait shop and facilities.
• Can I keep snook?
  • Snook have special permit, season and size rules; check current FWC regulations before keeping one.

Area	Coast character & access	Best species	Prime season	Go-to methods	Key safety notes	Facilities
Sebastian Inlet North Jetty	24-hour lighted catwalk; state park fee	Snook, redfish, bluefish, jacks	Fall	Live mullet, bucktails, plugs	Current, boats, crowds	Restrooms, concession, showers
Cocoa Beach Pier	800 ft pier; paid parking and fishing fee	Whiting, pompano, Spanish mackerel	Spring and fall	Bottom rigs, spoons	Rip currents, surfers	Bait shop, rentals, restaurants
Jetty Park, Port Canaveral	Paved jetty pier; online parking passes	Snook, sheepshead, drum, redfish	Winter and fall	Fiddler crabs, live bait	Ship wakes, strong current	Bait shop, cleaning tables, campground
Lagoon causeways	Shallow flats and channels	Trout, redfish, snook	Spring and fall	Popping cork and shrimp	Traffic, stingrays	Varies by park