Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area Fishing

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is a 145-acre Florida state park that runs from the ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway just south of the town of Flagler Beach. Its half-mile of beach is a classic surf spot, but the park's beachside has been closed for an improvement project since June 23, 2026, so for now the river banks are its fishing.

• Whiting and pompano from the surf in the cooler months.
• Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, redfish and black drum on the beach.
• Trout, reds and flounder from the banks of the Intracoastal side.
• A quiet, natural beach backed by coquina-sand dunes.

The park is on State Road A1A about three miles south of downtown Flagler Beach, with the beach on the east side of the road and the river side to the west.

• Closed now: since June 23, 2026 the beachside campground, day-use parking lot and restroom are closed for an improvement project, and there is no direct beach access from the park; the park points beach visitors to public accesses within a mile.
• Entry: A small Florida State Parks fee per vehicle, paid by cash or card.
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, every day of the year.
• The river side is not part of the beachside closure, but FWC's boat ramp inventory lists the park's boat ramp as temporarily closed for a few more months for dock construction; check with the park before you bring a boat.
• Surface: Coarse coquina sand on the beach, which can be steep and soft at the water's edge.
• The Flagler Beach Pier, a few miles north, is closed while a new concrete pier is built.

The surf here fishes best from fall through spring.

• Spring (Mar-May): Pompano and whiting on the bars, bluefish and Spanish mackerel moving north, redfish and black drum in the troughs.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Whiting and croaker in the early mornings, blacktip and other sharks, jacks and ladyfish chasing bait; trout and flounder on the river side.
• Fall (Sep-Nov): The mullet run brings bluefish, redfish, jacks and Spanish mackerel into the surf; pompano return late in the season.
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Whiting and pompano on calm, clear days, bluefish on cold fronts, black drum in the deeper troughs.

Surf tackle and a sand spike are the essentials.

• Pompano and whiting: A 9-12 ft surf rod, a two-hook pompano rig with small floats, size 1-1/0 hooks and a 3-5 oz pyramid sinker; sand fleas, shrimp or Fishbites.
• Redfish and black drum: A fish-finder rig with a 4/0-6/0 circle hook and cut mullet, crab or fresh shrimp in the deeper trough.
• Bluefish and Spanish mackerel: Metal spoons and Gotcha plugs cast into bait schools, with a short bite leader.
• River banks: Live shrimp under a popping cork or small soft plastics for trout and reds.
• Bring sand fleas and other bait with you; state park rules do not allow digging them in the park.

Flagler County's tides are semidiurnal: two highs and two lows a day, with a range of several feet.

• The incoming tide is the classic pompano and whiting tide, when fish move into the first trough.
• Low tide shows you the bars and troughs; note them before the water comes back.
• A light westerly wind flattens the surf and clears the water; strong onshore winds make it rough and weedy.
• Cold fronts in fall and winter push bluefish and pompano along the beach.
• Early morning is best in summer, before the heat and the beach crowds.

An open surf beach with the usual Atlantic hazards.

• Rip currents: Common along this beach, which has no lifeguard; do not wade deep to cast.
• Stingrays: Shuffle your feet when wading.
• Sharks: Common in the surf; release them quickly and never fish near swimmers.
• Weather: Summer afternoon storms bring lightning; leave the beach early.
• Heat and sun: No shade on the sand; bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
• Access: The park's beach walkovers and accessible ramp are shut with the rest of the beachside for now; the river banks are flatter and easier.

A small, simple state park with the basics for a day on the river, and on the beach once the beachside reopens.

• Restrooms, and picnic pavilions with grills and water; the beachside restroom is closed during the project.
• A boat ramp for boats up to 25 feet (listed by FWC as temporarily closed for dock construction), plus a sandy launch and an accessible launch for kayaks and canoes.
• A riverside campground; the beachside campground is closed during the project.
• No bait shop in the park; Flagler Beach, a short drive north, has food, fuel and tackle.
• No lighting; the park closes at sunset.

• Walk the beach at low tide to find the troughs, then fish them on the incoming.
• Pompano like clean, green water; skip days after a big northeast blow.
• Coquina sand makes a steep shore break; long casts are rarely needed.
• Fish the river banks on windy days when the surf is unfishable.
• Check the park's notices for the beachside reopening, and the City of Flagler Beach for the new pier's opening date.
• Washington Oaks Gardens State Park to the north has coquina rock outcrops that hold sheepshead and drum.

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Recreation and Parks.

• Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset, and the park entrance fee applies.
• 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.
• Pets are not allowed on the beach, alcohol is prohibited, and swimming is not allowed in the Intracoastal Waterway.
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• Shore-based shark fishing requires a free FWC permit; keep sharks in the water and away from swimmers.
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.