Henderson Beach State Park Fishing

Henderson Beach State Park is a protected stretch of Gulf beach in Destin, backed by tall dunes and a campground, with far more elbow room than the resort beaches on either side. It suits a relaxed day in the surf for pompano and whiting.

• More than a mile of undeveloped Gulf beach in the middle of Destin
• Pompano, Gulf whiting and redfish in the troughs
• Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish through the warm months
• Every visit needs a day-use reservation made online

The park is on the Gulf side of US 98 (Emerald Coast Parkway) in Destin, east of the harbor.

• Getting there: follow US 98 east through Destin; the entrance is on the south side of the highway
• Entry: $6 per vehicle when checked in 2026; since May 15, 2026 all entry needs a day-use pass reserved online through the Florida State Parks reservation system, up to 60 days ahead, Destin Beach Pass holders included (they reserve with the city's promo code)
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown every day
• Parking: more than 400 day-use spaces behind the dunes, with boardwalks to the beach
• A short walk in soft sand to the waterline

Like all Emerald Coast beaches, the surf fishes best in the spring and fall runs.

• Spring (Mar–May): pompano, Gulf whiting, Spanish mackerel and bluefish; cobia pass along the outer bar
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Spanish mackerel and ladyfish in the morning, whiting in the troughs, sharpnose sharks on cut bait late in the day
• Fall (Sep–Nov): pompano return, bull redfish on the bars, flounder in the troughs, bluefish and mackerel on bait schools
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Gulf whiting on calm days and the odd pompano

Surf rods of 9 to 12 feet let you reach the second trough; a lighter rod handles lures.

• Pompano and whiting: a double-drop rig with sand fleas, shrimp or Fishbites
• Redfish: cut mullet or crab on a fish-finder rig cast to the bar
• Spanish mackerel and bluefish: silver spoons and gotcha plugs when fish are breaking
• Pompano jigs, often tipped with a piece of shrimp, bounced through the trough
• Flounder: a small jig or a finger mullet worked slowly along the bottom of the trough
• A sand spike and a cart make the walk easier

Gulf tides at Destin are small and often one a day; the surf, wind and water color decide the day.

• Clean, green water and a light south or southeast breeze are ideal
• A moving tide is better than slack
• Moderate surf of 1 to 3 feet brings pompano into the trough
• After strong winds, the water turns milky; give it a day to settle
• The first hours after the 8 a.m. opening and the last hour before sundown are prime in summer, when the beach is quietest

This is an open Gulf beach, so treat the surf with respect.

• Rip currents form along the bars; check the beach flags and never wade deep in rough surf
• Shuffle your feet in the troughs to avoid stingrays
• Leave the beach at the first sign of lightning
• Boardwalks cross the dunes, and an all-terrain beach wheelchair is available at the ranger station; the beach is soft sand
• Keep lines clear of swimmers; fish away from busy swimming areas

Henderson Beach is a full state park with a campground.

• Boardwalks over the dunes to the beach
• Six picnic pavilions with grills, three restroom buildings and outdoor cold showers in the day-use area
• An all-terrain beach wheelchair at the ranger station
• No fish cleaning stations; the park says bait and tackle can be bought just outside
• Bring water, shade and a cooler; the pavilions are the only shade near the beach

• Reserve your day-use pass before you drive over; entry needs one
• Fish the first trough before casting long; pompano feed close
• Spring pompano arrive as the Gulf warms toward the 70s °F
• Arrive at the 8 a.m. opening in summer for the best of the cool morning
• Plan to be off the beach by sundown, when the park closes to day visitors
• Leave no holes or gear on the beach; sea turtles nest here

The Florida Park Service manages the park; park rules are posted at the entrance.

• All fishing must follow state rules on size, number, method of capture and season, and a Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• No alcohol, glass, fires or pets on the beach
• Sea turtles nest from spring to fall; fill in holes and take everything off the beach at the end of the day
• Shore-based shark fishing needs the free FWC permit
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything