Beachway Avenue Beach Access, New Smyrna Beach Fishing

Beachway Avenue Beach Access is the city's northernmost vehicle ramp onto New Smyrna Beach's Atlantic sand, a good starting point for surf fishing away from the crowds around the central beaches.

• Drive-on ramp to open Atlantic surf
• Whiting, pompano, bluefish and redfish in season
• Room to spread out and set up beside a trough
• City per-vehicle beach access fee applies

The ramp is at the end of Beachway Avenue, off North Atlantic Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, and the City of New Smyrna Beach manages it. The visitor bureau lists it as vehicle access with a per-day, per-vehicle fee.

• Fee: the visitor bureau lists $20 per day per vehicle for the ramp; confirm before going, as fees change
• The ramp is the northernmost of the city's drive-on beach accesses
• Parking is on the beach itself, where driving rules and posted limits apply
• Soft sand: a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle is a safer choice
• Walking in from a nearby walk-on access is possible

The northern New Smyrna surf is known for the same cast of fish as the rest of the Volusia Atlantic beaches.

• Spring (Mar-May): pompano and whiting, bluefish, Spanish mackerel passing close
• Summer (Jun-Aug): whiting, small sharks after dark, crevalle jacks near bait schools
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and bluefish, mullet-run predators, pompano at their best
• Winter (Dec-Feb): whiting and pompano in cool, clear water, plus black drum and flounder

Standard surf tackle works well, and a sand spike makes a long day easier.

• 9 to 10 foot surf rod with 15 to 20 lb line and a pyramid sinker
• Pompano rig with small hooks tipped with sand fleas or fresh shrimp
• Cut mullet or fresh shrimp on the bottom for redfish and whiting
• Small metal spoons for Spanish mackerel and bluefish
• Cast just past the second break, or into a visible trough
• Buy bait before you go; there is no bait shop at the ramp

The Atlantic here has two highs and two lows a day, so timing matters.

• A rising tide an hour or two before high is a good window
• Troughs that hold fish are easiest to read at low tide, then fish them on the push
• Clean green water after a calm day beats stirred-up water after wind
• Early morning and late afternoon give relief from sun and traffic
• A northeast wind chops the surf and muddies the water

This is a beach with vehicle traffic, so stay alert.

• Rip currents can form near sandbars and troughs; do not wade out far
• Keep children and rods away from the driving lane
• Soft sand can bog a vehicle; check tire pressure and conditions
• Shuffle your feet when wading to warn stingrays
• Summer thunderstorms and sun are real hazards; carry water
• Accessibility: sand surfaces only, no ramps or rails

Expect a beach with few services at this end.

• Parking is on the sand
• Restrooms are not confirmed at this ramp; plan accordingly or use the facilities at a nearby park
• No bait shop at the ramp; stock up in town first
• No lights, so night fishing needs a headlamp
• Trash cans are not confirmed; pack out what you bring

• Walk the beach at low tide to spot troughs, then return and fish them on the push
• Fresh sand fleas and shrimp beat frozen bait for pompano
• Fish the first light hours, before the beach fills with vehicles
• Bring a sand spike and a cooler; you can park close to your rods
• If the ramp is crowded, walk a few hundred yards along the beach for open water
• Check the visitor bureau page for any change in the ramp's status or fees

The City of New Smyrna Beach manages the beach access.

• The visitor bureau lists the ramp as a vehicle beach access with a per-day fee
• Volusia County prohibits chumming; do not throw chum from the beach
• Follow posted beach driving and parking rules
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Shore-based shark fishing requires a free FWC permit
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything