Fishing spots in Flagler County

Flagler County has a short, quiet stretch of Atlantic coast between Marineland and the Volusia County line, with Flagler Beach at its center and the Matanzas River (the Intracoastal Waterway) behind the barrier island. The Flagler Beach Pier, damaged beyond use by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022, is being replaced with a new concrete pier, so for now shore anglers fish the surf, especially at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area, and the Intracoastal from parks like Bings Landing. Expect whiting and pompano in the surf and redfish, flounder, trout and sheepshead in the river.

Flagler Beach and Gamble Rogers

• Character: Coquina-sand surf beaches with steep shore breaks and troughs.
• What it suits: Whiting, pompano, bluefish, redfish, black drum.
• Access: Beach walkovers in town and the state recreation area south of town (park fee).

Matanzas River (Intracoastal)

• Character: A tidal river with oyster bars, docks and spoil islands.
• What it suits: Redfish, flounder, trout, sheepshead, mangrove snapper.
• Access: Bings Landing and other county parks along A1A.

Marineland and Washington Oaks

• Character: Coquina rock outcrops along the beach at the north end of the county.
• What it suits: Sheepshead, black drum, pompano, whiting.
• Access: Washington Oaks Gardens State Park beach side (park fee) and public accesses.

Season	Likely species (shore)	Notes
Spring (Mar-May)	Pompano, whiting, bluefish, redfish, trout, sheepshead	Pompano peak on clean surf.
Summer (Jun-Aug)	Whiting, croaker, sharks, mangrove snapper, snook, tarpon	Dawn sessions; lightning in the afternoons.
Fall (Sep-Nov)	Redfish, bluefish, flounder, jacks, Spanish mackerel	Mullet run and the best flounder season.
Winter (Dec-Feb)	Whiting, pompano, sheepshead, black drum, trout	Sheepshead on the coquina rocks and river pilings.

• Surf: 9-12 ft rods, pompano rigs with sand fleas, shrimp or Fishbites, 3-5 oz pyramid sinkers.
• Redfish and drum: Fish-finder rigs with cut mullet or crab.
• River: Live shrimp or mud minnows on light tackle; scented soft plastics for flounder.
• Sheepshead: Fiddler crabs on short leaders near rocks and pilings.
• Spoons for bluefish and Spanish mackerel.

• Tides are semidiurnal (two highs and two lows a day) with a range of several feet on the beach.
• The incoming tide is best for pompano and whiting in the surf troughs.
• River tides arrive later than on the beach; fish moving water around oyster bars and docks.
• A light westerly wind gives flat, clear surf; strong onshore winds make it rough and weedy.
• Cold fronts trigger bluefish and pompano runs.

• Rip currents are common on the surf beaches; do not wade deep.
• Coquina rocks are sharp and slippery.
• Summer lightning is frequent; leave the beach early.
• Shuffle your feet for stingrays.
• A1A runs right beside the beach; cross carefully.
• The Flagler Beach Pier is a construction site until it reopens; keep clear.

• Check the City of Flagler Beach for the new pier's opening; reports in 2026 pointed to late 2026 or early 2027, with free public access planned and no bait shop.
• Dig sand fleas at the water's edge on a falling tide for pompano bait.
• Bings Landing stays open until 11 p.m., good for night snapper.
• The river is the fallback on rough-surf days.
• Washington Oaks' coquina rocks hold sheepshead in winter.
• Flounder fishing in the Matanzas River peaks in October and November.

• St. Johns County – Matanzas Inlet, Vilano Beach and St. Augustine to the north.
• Volusia County – Ponce Inlet and the Daytona piers to the south.

• Is the Flagler Beach Pier open?
  • Not yet: the old pier was demolished after the 2022 storms and a new concrete pier is under construction; check with the City of Flagler Beach for the opening date.
• Do I need a fishing license?
  • A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt; check FWC (myfwc.com).
• Where can I surf fish with restrooms nearby?
  • Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area south of Flagler Beach.
• What is the best river spot?
  • Bings Landing on the Matanzas River, with fishing piers and free parking.
• When do pompano run?
  • Mostly in spring and late fall, on clean, calm water.

Area	Coast character & access	Best species	Prime season	Go-to methods	Key safety notes	Facilities
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area	Surf beach and river dock; park fee; 8 a.m. to sundown	Whiting, pompano, redfish	Fall to spring	Pompano rigs, cut bait	Rip currents, stingrays	Restrooms, campground, dock
Bings Landing	Intracoastal park with piers; free parking	Redfish, flounder, sheepshead, trout	Fall and winter	Live shrimp, mud minnows	Boat ramp traffic	Restrooms, restaurant, ramp
Washington Oaks beach	Coquina rock outcrops; park fee	Sheepshead, drum, pompano	Winter and spring	Fiddler crabs, sand fleas	Sharp, slippery rocks	Park facilities