Flagler Avenue Beach Approach, New Smyrna Beach Fishing

Flagler Avenue Beach Approach is New Smyrna Beach's busiest Atlantic beach access, with every convenience steps from the sand. For anglers it is a surf-fishing spot best used when the swimmers are gone.

• A wide Atlantic beach with the town's restaurants and surf shops just behind it
• Whiting and pompano in the troughs, bluefish and Spanish mackerel when bait is close
• Paid parking, restrooms and showers at the approach
• Best at first light, at dusk or in the cooler months

The approach is at the east end of Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, and the City of New Smyrna Beach manages it. New Smyrna lets vehicles onto parts of its beach.

• Parking is paid at the foot of the avenue; a daily per-vehicle fee is listed for beach driving, so check the city's current rates and hours
• The beach is sand; carry your gear from the approach and walk away from the main swim area
• Restrooms and outdoor showers are at the approach
• Check the city's current rules before driving on the sand

This is a classic east-coast Florida surf with the usual runs.

• Spring (Mar-May): pompano and whiting in the troughs, bluefish and Spanish mackerel along the bars
• Summer (Jun-Aug): whiting, small sharks and sand perch at dawn, with the water busy with swimmers by mid-morning
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings redfish, bluefish and jacks close to shore
• Winter (Dec-Feb): whiting and pompano on calm days, bluefish when the water cools

Use a 9 to 12 foot surf rod with 12 to 20 lb line and a sliding sinker rig.

• Whiting and pompano: a two-hook pompano rig with sand fleas, shrimp or Fishbites, cast just past the first breaking wave
• Bluefish and Spanish mackerel: a Gotcha lure or a small spoon retrieved quickly
• Redfish: cut mullet or fresh shrimp on a fish-finder rig in the trough
• Use a sand spike and a cooler of bait
• Do not use chum; Volusia County does not allow chumming

The Atlantic beach has two highs and two lows a day; check the New Smyrna Beach or Ponce Inlet station.

• Fish a rising tide up to high, when fish come into the trough
• Look for a deep, dark trough behind the first sandbar
• A light onshore breeze brings bait; heavy surf makes the water churned
• Dawn and dusk avoid the crowds and the heat
• Calm, clear mornings are best for pompano

This beach is lifeguarded for swimmers, and you share it.

• Fish away from the lifeguard towers, swimmers and surfers; if a lifeguard or officer warns that swimmers are endangered, stop casting
• Rip currents are common; check the flag before you wade
• Shuffle your feet for stingrays
• Summer afternoons bring lightning; leave the beach
• Access: a short walk over soft sand from the approach

The approach is fully developed.

• Paid public parking at the foot of Flagler Avenue
• Restrooms and outdoor showers
• Restaurants, shops and a bait-and-tackle option within the town; check what is open
• Lifeguard towers in season
• No fishing pier at this approach; walk the beach to fish

• Go at first light; by mid-morning the beach is full of swimmers and the fish are far out
• Walk away from the surf zone and swim area to a quieter stretch before casting
• Fresh sand fleas or shrimp from a local shop outfish frozen
• Bring a sand spike and a small cart for gear
• Check the beach driving rules and fee before loading the truck
• Read the flags and talk to the lifeguard about where to fish

The beach is managed by the City of New Smyrna Beach, with Volusia County Beach Safety patrolling.

• Volusia County does not allow chumming
• It is unlawful to fish after a Beach Patrol or law enforcement warning that swimmers are endangered
• The city's own page did not list a fishing rule for this approach, so read the signs
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything