Sunrise Beach, Bald Point State Park Fishing

Sunrise Beach is a quiet Apalachee Bay beach inside Bald Point State Park, with shallow, grassy water and oyster bars within wading distance. It suits anglers who like to walk the shoreline with a light rod rather than stand on a deck.

• A state park beach entrance with parking close to the sand
• Redfish, seatrout and flounder over the flats and shell bars
• Surf fishing and wading to oyster bars are named by the state park
• Far less crowded than the big beaches to the west

Sunrise Beach is a beach access of Bald Point State Park, on the Apalachee Bay side of the point near the east end of Franklin County. Florida State Parks manages it.

• Parking: a small lot sits within a short walk of the sand
• Entry fee: state parks charge a per-vehicle entrance fee, so check the park's current rate before you go
• Hours: state parks are generally open from 8 a.m. to sundown; confirm with the park
• The walk to the water is a short sandy path

The water is brackish and tidal, and freshwater runoff from the Ochlockonee River basin can push fish around after heavy rain.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and flounder on the grass flats, with redfish along the shell edges
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Spanish mackerel and bluefish when bait is close, plus small sharks and stingrays in the shallows
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish are at their best on the bars and shoreline, with trout feeding well
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead near shell and any structure, plus slower redfish and flounder on warm afternoons

Travel light and wade the edges; a 7 ft spinning rod with 10 to 15 lb braid suits the flats.

• Redfish: live shrimp or cut mullet on a light bottom rig near oyster bars, or a gold spoon
• Seatrout: live shrimp under a popping cork over the grass, or a soft plastic on a 1/8 oz jig head
• Flounder: a jig tipped with a minnow or shrimp bounced slowly along the sand edges
• Spanish mackerel: a small silver spoon or jig cast and retrieved fast
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp dropped by hard cover
• Bring bait; digging bait in a state park is not allowed

This stretch of Apalachee Bay has two uneven highs and lows on most days, so check a tide chart for the nearest NOAA station.

• A rising tide pushes fish onto the flats and toward the oyster bars
• Fish the first light of day or late afternoon for the best bite
• Calm, clear water makes sight fishing easier; wind from the south chops the bay
• Heavy rain muddies the water and drops the salinity for a day or two
• Low tide exposes the oyster bars, which is when to wade out with care

The beach is simple to reach but not built for fishing.

• Oyster shell is razor sharp: wear closed shoes with thick soles when wading
• Shuffle your feet to warn stingrays
• Watch the tide when walking out to the bars so it does not cut you off
• Leave the beach at the first thunder of a summer storm
• Carry water and sun protection; shade is limited
• The path to the sand is short but unpaved, so a wheelchair will struggle

The park provides the basics near the beach.

• A parking area close to the access
• Restrooms near the beach access
• Outdoor showers at Sunrise Beach, listed by the state park
• Picnic pavilions with grills elsewhere in the park
• No bait and tackle in the park; buy supplies in Alligator Point, Panacea or Carrabelle before arriving

• Walk the shoreline east and west of the access; the bars hold fish better than the open sand
• Fish a falling tide at the edges of the oyster bars, where fish wait for bait to flush off
• Bring a small net for baitfish and a long-handled grabber or pliers for hooks
• If the beach is quiet, try the park's small fishing pier on Ochlockonee Bay, a few miles away, as a backup in a strong wind
• Pack out all line and trash, since this is a state park
• Shop in advance: nothing is sold on the beach

Bald Point State Park is managed by Florida State Parks.

• Park rules apply: follow the posted hours and pay the entrance fee
• Do not dig bait or collect shells and plants in the state park
• 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