Nantahala Beach Public Access, Gulf Breeze Fishing

Nantahala Beach Public Access is a no-frills strip of public shoreline on the Gulf Breeze side of Santa Rosa Sound. It suits anglers who want a quiet bank spot away from the piers and ramps.

• Undeveloped public access on the sound shore, with no facilities
• Redfish, speckled trout and flounder along the shallow edge
• Light-tackle wade-and-cast fishing from the sand
• Very limited parking, so it is best for one or two anglers

The site is on Nantahala Beach in Gulf Breeze, on the north side of Santa Rosa Sound. The state's fish and wildlife agency describes it as a small undeveloped public access with no facilities.

• Parking: only a few spaces, so arrive early
• Hours: daylight only
• Surface: sand and shoreline, with no deck, rail or ramp
• Fees: none that we could confirm
• Neighbors live close by, so keep noise down and stay on the public access

The sound's grass flats and sandy edge hold the usual Panhandle inshore mix.

• Spring (Mar-May): speckled trout and flounder on the shallow flats, with the first Spanish mackerel late in the season
• Summer (Jun-Aug): redfish and trout at dawn and dusk, with bluefish and Spanish mackerel chasing bait on calm mornings
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and flounder fatten up along the shoreline as mullet move
• Winter (Dec-Feb): black drum and sheepshead around any hard bottom, and trout in the deeper holes

Travel light, since you will be wading or standing on the sand.

• Spinning gear with 8 to 12 lb line and a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader
• Live shrimp under a popping cork for trout and redfish
• Soft-plastic paddle tails on a 1/4 oz jig head, bounced slowly along the edge
• A small gold spoon or topwater plug at first light for redfish and trout
• Shrimp or crab on the bottom for black drum and flounder
• A bucket and a cast net for bait are handy if the baitfish are in

Santa Rosa Sound follows the Gulf tides, which from here to Escambia County usually give one small high and one small low on most days, so currents are gentle.

• Moving water, either direction, beats slack tide
• Dawn and dusk are best in summer heat
• Light wind from the north flattens the water and clears it
• A strong south wind pushes chop onto this shore
• Check the NOAA tide station at Pensacola before you go

There is no deck or rail, so access means walking on the sand and into shallow water.

• Shuffle your feet when wading to warn stingrays
• Boats and jet skis cross the sound, so watch your line and the wakes
• Leave the water at the first thunder of a summer storm
• Bring water and sun protection, because there is no shade or shop
• No restrooms, so plan ahead

Nothing is provided here, according to the state's description of the site.

• No restrooms
• No bait shop on site, so buy bait before you arrive
• No lights
• No picnic tables or trash service that we could confirm, so carry out what you carry in
• Gulf Breeze has shops and restaurants a short drive away

• Buy live shrimp before you arrive, because nothing is sold at the site
• Go on a weekday morning, when the few parking spaces are open
• Wade quietly and cast along the grass edge rather than into the middle
• Watch for diving birds, which show where bait and trout are working
• Be considerate of nearby homes and do not block any driveway
• Look for storm debris and shells in the shallows after a blow before you wade

The managing body's page describes this as a public access with no facilities. It does not list fishing here or ban it, so read any posted signs before you fish.

• Daylight hours only
• Santa Rosa County has rules about fishing in marked swim areas, so keep clear of any
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything