Wadsworth Park, Flagler Beach Fishing

Wadsworth Park is mainly a sports and family park, but its boardwalk and canoe launch give access to tidal salt marsh. The county lists fishing among the features, so a light-tackle angler can work the marsh edge here in peace.

• Elevated boardwalk and canoe launch on the marsh edge
• Small redfish, seatrout, flounder and sheepshead on moving water
• Restrooms and parking in the park
• Quiet compared with the nearby Moody boat launch

The park is at 2200 Moody Boulevard, Flagler Beach, run by Flagler County Parks and Recreation.

• Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, per the county
• Parking: lots and a restroom building are mapped in the park; the county page gives no fee
• The boardwalk and canoe launch are on the marsh side of the park; follow the signs
• The Moody boat launch and Betty Steflik Preserve are a short drive east and have their own entrance

Marsh and creek fish, mostly small, follow the tide and the season.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and flounder as the water warms, with mullet in the creek
• Summer (Jun-Aug): small redfish and jacks, with crabs and pinfish stealing bait
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the best run, as redfish, trout and mullet move through the marsh
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum near pilings and structure, with redfish in the deeper cuts

Light tackle works best in this shallow, grassy water.

• Redfish and trout: a live or fresh shrimp under a popping cork, or a small paddle-tail soft plastic on a light jig head
• Flounder: a mud minnow or a small jig dragged slowly along the bottom
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a small hook, dropped straight down beside any structure
• Tackle: a light spinning rod with 8 to 10 lb line and a 15 to 20 lb leader
• A small cast net or dip net helps catch bait if the rules allow it

The marsh drains and fills with the Atlantic tides twice a day.

• Fish the falling tide, when bait is pushed out of the grass and fish stack in the cuts
• Tide levels vary along the creek, so use a nearby NOAA station as a guide
• Low tide leaves mud flats exposed, so work the deeper bends
• Dawn and dusk are best in summer
• Heavy rain muddies the water for a day

The boardwalk is the easy part; the marsh edge is not.

• Mud is soft and deep; do not wade
• Mosquitoes and biting midges are thick at dusk, so bring repellent
• Leave the boardwalk at the first thunder
• Handle catfish and rays with care
• The boardwalk is raised and level; the launch itself is a slope

The county lists these at the park.

• Restroom facilities
• A picnic pavilion, playgrounds and a dog park
• Lighted soccer fields and courts
• No bait shop in the park; buy bait on the way
• Lighting for fishing and the boardwalk were not confirmed

• This is a quiet marsh spot; bring light tackle and expect small fish
• Check the tide chart and plan to arrive on the early falling tide
• Pack bug spray in warm months, since the marsh breeds mosquitoes
• Betty Steflik Preserve, a short drive east, has a pier over the salt marsh if this spot is quiet
• Call the county at (386) 313-4020 if you need to confirm which boardwalk or dock is open to fishing
• Keep out of the way of paddlers using the canoe launch

Wadsworth Park is managed by Flagler County Parks and Recreation.

• The county lists fishing among the park's features, but does not describe where; read the posted signs
• Hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything