Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park Fishing

Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park stretches from the Halifax River to the ocean north of Ormond Beach, and its nature trail leads west to the park's fishing dock on the river.

• Redfish, seatrout, black drum and sheepshead from the river dock
• Whiting, pompano and bluefish in the surf on the beach side
• Restrooms, a pavilion, picnic areas, playground and a dog park
• A quiet T-shaped dock at the wooded river end of the park

The park is at 1800 North Ocean Shore Boulevard (State Road A1A) north of Ormond Beach, with its river frontage on John Anderson Drive.

• Hours: sunrise to sunset
• River dock: the park's fishing dock stands on the Halifax River just across John Anderson Drive from the west end of the nature trail
• Beach: park across the street from the ocean on the park's east side
• Fees: the county's page lists a daily parking fee for the east beach lot; registered Volusia County residents park free through ParkVolusia, and nonresidents can buy an annual off-beach pass

The river dock and the surf give you two sets of fish through the year.

• Spring (Mar-May): redfish and seatrout on the river, pompano and whiting in the surf
• Summer (Jun-Aug): trout early and late, mangrove snapper, jacks and ladyfish; whiting in the surf
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings redfish, flounder and jacks to the river and bluefish to the beach
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum around the dock pilings, pompano in calm surf

Take a light rod for the dock and a surf rod if you plan to cross to the beach.

• Redfish and black drum: shrimp, crab or cut mullet on a small sliding sinker rig
• Seatrout: popping cork and live shrimp, or a soft plastic worked along the grass edges
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs on a small, strong hook beside the pilings
• Flounder: mud minnows or finger mullet dragged slowly on the bottom
• Surf: a two-hook bottom rig with a pyramid sinker and sand fleas or shrimp
• A long-handled net helps from the dock

This stretch of the Halifax River is far from the inlets, so its tide is small; the beach across the road has the Atlantic's two tides a day.

• River: fish the moving water around the tide changes, and calm, clear mornings
• Wind can push water levels more than the tide; a steady breeze helps on bright days
• Heavy rain stains the river; use natural bait and slow down
• Surf: fish the troughs on the incoming tide
• Cold fronts bring sheepshead and drum to the dock and pompano to the beach once the wind drops

The dock is an easy, sheltered place to fish; the beach side is open Atlantic.

• Rip currents on the beach; wade only knee deep and not in rough surf
• Stingrays in the shallows; shuffle your feet
• Summer afternoon lightning; leave the dock or beach when thunder starts
• Heat and insects on the nature trail; bring water and repellent
• Take care crossing John Anderson Drive to the dock and State Road A1A to the beach
• Gopher tortoises live in the scrub; leave them be

The county lists a big, well-equipped park.

• Restrooms, pavilion and picnic areas
• Playground, sports courts and fields, community building and shuffleboard
• A four-acre dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs
• Canoe and kayak launch and a boardwalk nature walk
• The fishing dock on the river
• No bait shop is listed; bring bait and ice

• The nature trail through the scrub is the park's own route to the river dock; allow time for the walk from the main parking areas
• The park opens at sunrise; fish the dock early for trout and redfish before the heat
• In winter, drop fiddler crabs tight to the dock pilings for sheepshead
• Check the surf across the street on calm mornings for whiting and pompano
• Bring a canoe or kayak to fish the river's shorelines from the launch

Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park, dock included, is a Volusia County park.

• Open sunrise to sunset
• The east beach lot charges a daily parking fee unless you are a registered county resident or hold an annual pass
• County beach code: no chumming or bloodbaiting from the beach or near the water's edge, and stop fishing the surf if Beach Patrol warns that swimmers are at risk
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you qualify for an exemption
• Shore-based shark fishing on the beach needs a free FWC permit
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything