Little Talbot Island State Park Fishing

Little Talbot Island State Park is five miles of undeveloped beach and dunes on Jacksonville's north shore, and a favorite with surf anglers.

• Pompano, whiting, bluefish and redfish in the surf
• Inlet edges at both ends of the island for redfish, black drum and flounder
• Salt marsh on the back side of the island for seatrout and reds
• Quiet beaches with plenty of room even on busy days

The park is on Heckscher Drive (A1A) north of the St. Johns River ferry and Huguenot Park, reached from Jacksonville or from Amelia Island to the north.

• Entry: Florida State Parks charges a per-vehicle day-use fee at the ranger station
• Parking: beach parking areas on the east side of A1A with boardwalks over the dunes
• Surface: soft sand from the boardwalks; the inlet ends are long walks
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, every day of the year
• Camping: the campground is on the marsh side of A1A

The surf is at its best in spring and fall.

• Spring (Mar-May): pompano and bluefish runs, whiting, redfish near the inlet ends
• Summer (Jun-Aug): whiting and croaker early in the day, blacktip and sharpnose sharks, flounder in the marsh creeks
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings bull redfish, bluefish, jacks and flounder; pompano return in late fall
• Winter (Dec-Feb): black drum and whiting on calm days, seatrout in the marsh

Surf tackle and a light rod for the marsh cover everything.

• Surf: a 10 to 12 foot rod, a double-drop rig with 1/0 to 2/0 circle hooks and a pyramid sinker
• Baits: sand fleas and clams bought before you come for pompano; shrimp and Fishbites for whiting; cut mullet for redfish and sharks
• Bluefish: metal spoons thrown into the bait schools
• Marsh: a popping cork with live shrimp, or a soft plastic on a light jig head
• Carry a sand spike and a cart for the walk

Two tides a day here, with a range of several feet.

• A rising tide pushing into the first trough is the best time for pompano and whiting
• The inlet ends fish best on moving water near the tide changes
• A light west wind flattens the surf and clears the water
• A northeast blow makes the surf rough and muddy for days
• Fall mornings with mullet moving along the beach are the prime window

This is a natural beach with few services.

• Rip currents form along the beach, especially after storms; wade no deeper than your knees
• Strong current and shifting bars at both inlet ends; do not wade out on the bars
• Summer lightning; leave the beach early when storms build
• Stingrays in the shallows: shuffle your feet
• No shade on the beach; carry water and sun protection
• Boardwalks reach the beach, but the sand is soft beyond them

Facilities are basic but adequate.

• Restrooms in the day-use area; check the park map for the one nearest your boardwalk
• Picnic areas in the park
• A campground with restrooms and showers
• No bait shop in the park; buy bait before you come
• No lights; the park closes at sundown
• Bring a cooler with ice; it is a long way back to town for supplies

• The north end toward Nassau Sound is the least crowded stretch and good for redfish
• Bring sand fleas from a bait shop; state park rules do not allow digging them on the beach
• Look for troughs and cuts at low tide, then fish them on the rising tide
• October and November are the best months overall
• A beach cart makes the long walk much easier
• Pair a morning in the surf with an afternoon on the George Crady Bridge to the north

Little Talbot Island State Park is managed by the Florida Park Service as one of the Talbot Islands State Parks.

• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you qualify for an exemption
• State park rules forbid collecting or harming any animal other than edible or game fish, so do not dig sand fleas or gather other bait animals
• Stay out of posted shorebird nesting areas and off the dunes
• Shore-based shark fishing needs the free FWC shore-based shark fishing permit
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything