Jasmin Park, New Port Richey Fishing

Jasmin Park is a small riverside park with a solid seawall and a boat dock on the tidal Pithlachascotee River, which the City of New Port Richey itself recommends for fishing.

• A solid seawall and a boat dock right on the river
• Snook, redfish, sheepshead and mangrove snapper through the year
• Free entry and a quiet neighborhood setting
• Dolphins and manatees regularly swim past

The park is at 7222 Jasmin Drive in New Port Richey, on the riverbank in a residential neighborhood a short way downriver from downtown.

• Getting there: from US 19 in New Port Richey, follow the local streets to Jasmin Drive
• Entry and parking: the city says entry and use of its parks, including parking, are free
• It is a neighborhood park, so park considerately and never block driveways
• Hours: not listed for this park; plan on daylight and respect the neighbors
• Leashed dogs are welcome

The lower Cotee is tidal and brackish, so saltwater fish come right up to the wall.

• Spring (Mar-May): snook moving back into the river, sheepshead finishing their run, redfish on the edges
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook and mangrove snapper along the seawall, crevalle jack and ladyfish chasing bait
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and snook feeding hard as the water cools, black drum arriving
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum on the wall; snook tuck into the river on cold snaps

Seawall fishing is short-range work: drop baits tight to the wall and the dock pilings.

• A 7-foot medium spinning rod with 15-20 lb braid and a 25-30 lb fluorocarbon leader, since snook run for the wall
• Live shrimp on a 1/0 hook with a split shot, dropped along the base of the seawall
• Fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader beside the dock pilings for sheepshead
• Live pilchards or pinfish at dawn and dusk for snook
• A jighead and soft plastic swum parallel to the wall for redfish and snook
• A long-handled landing net is a must from the wall

The river rises and falls with two high and two low tides most days, usually one bigger than the other, with a range of a few feet.

• Moving water, in either direction, pushes bait along the wall and switches the fish on
• The first of the falling tide pulls shrimp and small fish down the river
• Low light at dawn and dusk is best for snook
• Heavy rain freshens and muddies the river; saltwater fish drop downstream then
• Winter cold fronts can push snook up the river toward calmer, steadier water

A seawall is an easy platform to fish from, but take care at the edge.

• Watch your footing at the edge of the wall and keep children close
• Boat wakes can splash over the edge and make it slippery
• Summer thunderstorms build fast; leave the wall at the first thunder
• Manatees and dolphins use the river; never cast at them
• Keep lines clear of boats using the river
• Bring water and sun protection; shade is limited

This is a small neighborhood park with the basics only.

• Seawall and a boat dock
• Picnic tables, and leashed dogs are welcome
• No restrooms are listed for this park
• No bait shop on site, so buy bait before you arrive
• Downtown New Port Richey and Sims Park, with restrooms, are a short drive upriver
• No lighting confirmed

• Fish tight to the wall; snook and sheepshead hug the structure
• Keep noise down and park considerately; this is a residential street
• A moving tide at first light is the best time for snook
• In winter, fiddler crabs dropped straight down the wall are the sheepshead ticket
• Watch for dolphins pushing bait along the river; fish often follow the bait

Jasmin Park is a City of New Port Richey park; posted park rules apply.

• Entry and parking at city parks are free
• Leashed dogs are welcome
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook and redfish have strict FWC rules and seasons for this region
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything