Flagler Beach at South 26th Street Fishing

Flagler Beach at South 26th Street is a stretch of open surf on the quiet south end of town, where the beach is wide, the crowds are thin and the fishing is plain surf fishing. Surf anglers work this stretch for whiting and pompano.

• Open Atlantic beach reached by public dune walkovers off A1A
• Whiting and pompano in the troughs, redfish and black drum on cut bait
• Bluefish and Spanish mackerel when bait runs along the beach
• No pier, no facilities on the sand, so pack in what you need

The access sits along State Road A1A (Oceanshore Boulevard) in the south end of Flagler Beach, between South 23rd and South 27th Streets, a short drive north of Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area.

• Use the marked dune walkovers; the city asks beachgoers to stay off the dunes and the plants on the east side of A1A
• Parking is roadside only; there is no lot at this stretch, and signs show where you may and may not park
• The nearest city lots are well north, near the pier
• The walk is a short boardwalk and then soft sand
• Walkovers can close after storms and erosion, so look before you carry gear

This is a classic northeast Florida surf menu that changes with the water temperature.

• Spring (Mar-May): pompano and whiting in the troughs, bluefish and a few Spanish mackerel when bait is close
• Summer (Jun-Aug): whiting and small croaker-type bottom fish, stingrays in the shallows, redfish and black drum at dawn
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run, with redfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel behind the bait, plus the best pompano bite
• Winter (Dec-Feb): whiting and pompano on mild days, black drum on cut bait

Surf rods of 9 to 11 feet with 10 to 15 lb line and a 20 to 40 lb leader handle the surf.

• Pompano and whiting: a two-hook pompano rig or double-drop with sand fleas, fresh shrimp or Fishbites, in the trough just past the breakers
• Redfish and black drum: cut mullet or crab on a fish-finder rig with a 3 to 5 oz pyramid sinker
• Bluefish and mackerel: a spoon or a small metal jig cast out and retrieved quickly
• A sand spike keeps rods upright; a long-handled net or a pair of pliers helps with toothy fish

The Atlantic here has two highs and two lows a day; check the nearest NOAA tide station for exact times.

• The two hours either side of high tide are best, when the troughs hold bait
• A light onshore breeze with some green in the water fishes better than flat, clear conditions
• After a northeast blow the surf is heavy and weedy; wait a day
• Early morning and the last hour of light are the most comfortable and productive
• Low tide is a good time to scout the troughs and sandbars

Surf and soft sand make this a medium-effort beach.

• Rip currents can form around the cuts; do not wade out far while casting
• Shuffle your feet in the shallows for stingrays
• Lightning is a real summer afternoon risk on an open beach
• Keep hooks and leaders clear of swimmers and walkers
• Access is by boardwalk and sand, with no ramp or railed deck
• Cars parked on the roadside are close to fast A1A traffic; watch for it when unloading

There is nothing on the sand itself.

• No restrooms, showers or lights that we could confirm at this walkover
• No bait shop on this stretch; stock up in town before you drive down
• Food and drink are available in Flagler Beach, a short drive north
• Bring water, sun protection, a sand spike and a bucket

• Buy fresh shrimp or sand fleas in town on the way; there is no bait source at the beach
• Walk along the beach at low tide and fish the deepest-looking trough or a cut in the bar
• A small cooler and a bucket of water keep bait lively in the heat
• Check the signs before leaving a car on the roadside; dune areas are no-parking
• If the walkover here is closed, try another marked walkover nearby, but keep clear of the dunes
• Gamble Rogers state park is the better choice if you want a lot, restrooms and showers

The beach and its walkovers are looked after by the City of Flagler Beach, and the managing body does not list fishing here separately, so read the posted signs.

• Stay on the walkovers and keep off the dunes and the plants
• Parking is limited to signed roadside spots; read the 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