Fort Clinch State Park Jetty Fishing

Fort Clinch State Park Jetty is where Florida's Atlantic coast begins: the south jetty of St. Marys Inlet, at the northern tip of Amelia Island beside a Civil War-era brick fort. The park's pier is gone, but the jetty, the inlet beach and the Atlantic beach remain some of the best shore fishing in Northeast Florida.

• Redfish, black drum and sheepshead along the rocks.
• Whiting, flounder and seatrout on the beaches either side.
• Bluefish, Spanish mackerel and tarpon in season.
• Huge tides and deep water right off the beach.

Fort Clinch State Park is at 2601 Atlantic Avenue in Fernandina Beach, at the north end of Amelia Island.

• Entry: A Florida State Parks entrance fee per vehicle; annual passes accepted. The ranger station has been temporarily closed for renovations since August 27, 2026; the park is open.
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown.
• Parking: The east and west inlet parking areas serve the jetty and the inlet shoreline; follow the park road to the beach.
• The old fishing pier: Destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and removed; a replacement has been planned but not built. Fish from the beach beside the rocks.
• Surface: Soft sand beach; the rocks are rough and should not be climbed.

The inlet and jetty hold fish all year.

• Spring (Mar-May): Sheepshead and black drum on the rocks, redfish and whiting, bluefish and Spanish mackerel moving north.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Tarpon rolling in the inlet, Spanish mackerel, flounder, redfish and sharks.
• Fall (Sep-Nov): Bull redfish on the outgoing tide, flounder leaving the sounds, bluefish and jacks during the mullet run.
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Sheepshead and black drum at their best, whiting, seatrout in the inlet and river side.

Heavy lead and strong tackle for the inlet; lighter gear for the surf.

• Redfish and black drum: A fish-finder rig with 4-8 oz of lead, a 5/0-7/0 circle hook and cut mullet, blue crab or clams.
• Sheepshead: Fiddler crabs or shrimp on a 1/0 hook fished close to the rocks at slack tide.
• Flounder: Live mud minnows or finger mullet on a Carolina rig.
• Whiting: A two-hook rig with shrimp or Fishbites on the Atlantic beach.
• Trout: Shrimp under a popping cork on the river side.
• Popular baits here include dead or live shrimp, mud minnows, finger mullet and squid.

St. Marys Inlet has semidiurnal tides, two highs and two lows a day, with a range of five to six feet: some of the biggest on Florida's coast.

• The outgoing tide pulls bait out of Cumberland Sound and the Amelia River and is best for redfish and flounder.
• Slack tide and the first of the incoming are the times to fish the rocks for sheepshead and drum.
• Peak flow can be too strong to hold bottom; fish the turns.
• Low tide exposes a lot of beach; learn the holes and channels then.
• Northeast winds against the outgoing tide make the inlet rough.

A strong inlet with strict rules for good reason.

• Currents: Swimming is allowed only in the Atlantic south of the jetty, with no lifeguards; everywhere else it is prohibited because of dangerous currents and steep drop-offs.
• Rocks: Do not climb the jetty; the rocks are slippery with deep gaps.
• Ships and boats: Submarines, freighters and boats use the inlet; wakes can wash up the beach.
• Tides: The big tidal range floods the beach fast; watch your gear and your route back.
• Weather: Summer lightning; no shelter on the beach.
• Wildlife: Shuffle your feet for stingrays; sharks are common.
• Access: Beach access from the parking areas is over soft sand.

A large state park with good facilities, including bait at the visitor center.

• Restrooms, dressing rooms and outdoor showers at both Atlantic beach boardwalks.
• The visitor center, open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. near the fort, sells bait, ice, snacks and a small range of tackle; the park does not sell fishing licenses.
• A campground on the river side and one near the beach.
• The fort, picnic areas and nature trails.
• More bait and tackle shops are in Fernandina Beach.

• Fish the turn of the tide at the jetty; peak flow makes fishing almost impossible.
• Sheepshead fishing on the rocks is best from December to April with fiddler crabs.
• Bull reds push through the inlet on fall outgoing tides; bring heavy tackle.
• Shelling near the jetty rocks and shark-tooth hunting by the fort pass the time between bites; put back anything still alive.
• The park closes at sundown; plan evening sessions accordingly.
• Check the state park's website for news on the planned replacement pier.

Fort Clinch State Park is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Recreation and Parks.

• Park hours are 8 a.m. to sundown and the park entrance fee applies; swimming is allowed only on the Atlantic beach south of the jetty.
• Dogs are not allowed on the beach or boardwalks, and state park rules forbid collecting or harming any animal other than edible or game fish.
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• Shore-based shark fishing requires a free FWC permit; tarpon are subject to FWC release rules.
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.