Flagler Beach at South 22nd Street Fishing

Flagler Beach at South 22nd Street is a no-frills surf spot on the south side of town, a walkover and a wide beach with no pier crowds. It suits anglers who want room to cast and are happy to carry their own gear.

• Open Atlantic surf reached from a city dune walkover
• Whiting and pompano most days, with redfish and black drum on cut bait
• Quiet compared with the stretch near the pier
• No facilities on the sand

The walkover is off State Road A1A (Oceanshore Boulevard) at South 22nd Street in Flagler Beach, in the stretch between South 20th and South 23rd Streets.

• The City of Flagler Beach maintains the dune walkovers; use them, not the dunes
• Parking is roadside only; there is no lot, and signs show where parking is not allowed
• Free city lots are near the pier, a longer walk north
• The way is a short boardwalk and soft sand
• This walkover was damaged by storms in recent years; look for current closure signs before you go

Typical northeast Florida surf fish, shifting with the water temperature.

• Spring (Mar-May): pompano and whiting in the troughs, bluefish when bait schools pass
• Summer (Jun-Aug): whiting, small bottom fish and stingrays; early mornings are best for redfish
• Fall (Sep-Nov): mullet run with redfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel, and the best pompano push
• Winter (Dec-Feb): whiting and a few pompano on mild days, black drum on crab or shrimp

A 9 to 11 foot surf rod with 12 to 20 lb line and a pyramid sinker handles most days.

• Whiting and pompano: a double-drop rig with sand fleas, shrimp or Fishbites in the first trough
• Redfish and black drum: a chunk of mullet, a crab half or a whole shrimp on a fish-finder rig, cast past the breakers
• Bluefish and mackerel: a casting spoon or a small metal jig, retrieved fast
• Carry a sand spike, a bucket and pliers

The Atlantic here has two highs and two lows a day, so there is a good window twice daily.

• Fish the two hours before and after high tide, when fish move into the troughs
• A little color in the water and a light onshore breeze beat flat, clear water
• Heavy surf and weed after a northeast blow make fishing poor; wait a day
• First and last light are the most productive and comfortable
• Scout the bars and cuts at low tide, then fish them on the rise

A beach with surf and soft sand; not a ramp-and-railing spot.

• Rip currents; stay out of the water above the knees while casting
• Shuffle your feet for stingrays in the shallows
• Summer thunderstorms build fast on an open beach; leave at the first rumble
• Parked cars sit beside A1A traffic, so unload with care
• Do not walk on the dunes or the plants; the city fines for it

Nothing on the sand at this walkover that we could confirm.

• Restrooms, showers and lights: none confirmed here
• No bait shop at the beach; buy bait in town
• Food and gas are in Flagler Beach, a short drive north
• Bring water, sun protection and everything you need to fish

• Buy fresh bait in town; it is the easiest way to improve your day
• Look for the darker, deeper water between sandbars and fish there
• A sand spike and a bucket make a long session easier
• Park only where the signs allow; the dune strip is no-parking
• If this walkover is shut or the beach is washed out, walk to another marked walkover but keep off the dunes
• Beach and walkover conditions change after storms; check ahead

The City of Flagler Beach looks after the walkovers; the city does not list fishing here, so read the posted signs.

• Use the walkovers; stay off the dunes and the plants
• Obey the roadside no-parking signs
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything