Neptune Avenue Beach Access, Ormond Beach Fishing

Neptune Avenue Beach Access is a simple, walk-on surf spot in southern Ormond Beach. There is parking at the street end, a short sidewalk to the sand and open Atlantic water in front of you.

• Open surf with no structure, so you fish the troughs and sandbars
• Whiting and pompano are the main targets, with bluefish and Spanish mackerel in their seasons
• A county parking lot at the access
• Quiet at first and last light

The access is at the Neptune Avenue end of Ocean Shore Boulevard (A1A) in the 300 block, in Ormond Beach.

• Volusia County's Ormond Scenic Loop listing describes a sidewalk to the beach and parking here
• The county lists a public beach parking lot at the corner of Neptune Avenue and A1A
• County off-beach lots charge a daily fee; registered Volusia County residents park free
• Use the sidewalk and walkways rather than crossing the dunes
• The walk is short, but you carry gear across soft sand

Surf fish here follow the seasons.

• Spring (Mar-May): whiting and a growing pompano bite, with bluefish moving through
• Summer (Jun-Aug): whiting, Spanish mackerel when bait is close, small bonnethead and sharpnose sharks
• Fall (Sep-Nov): mullet and bait schools bring bluefish, jacks and Spanish mackerel along the beach
• Winter (Dec-Feb): pompano and whiting on calm days, plus the odd black drum

Most anglers fish the bottom with a pompano or fish-finder rig and a pyramid sinker.

• Whiting and pompano: a two-hook rig with small hooks (size 1 to 2/0 depending on bait), sinkers of 2 to 5 oz, and 15 to 20 lb line
• Bait: fresh shrimp, sand fleas bought from a tackle shop, or pieces of cut mullet
• Pompano also take small jigs bounced along the bottom
• Bluefish and mackerel: a cut mullet on a wire leader, or a casting spoon
• A sand spike keeps the rod upright while you wait

The Atlantic here has two highs and two lows a day, so check the nearest NOAA tide station before you go.

• Fish the incoming tide and the hour either side of high, when fish move into the troughs
• Calm, clear water after a light east wind is best
• Dawn and dusk avoid both the crowds and the midday heat
• A heavy surf stirs the water; it can also scour the trough and move fish
• Look for a darker gully between sandbars and cast into it

This is an open ocean beach, so conditions change quickly.

• Rip currents: do not wade out far, and leave the beach when flags or signs warn of dangerous surf
• Summer lightning can build fast in the afternoon; head for the car at the first thunder
• Stay clear of swimmers and families; fish where it is quiet
• Shuffle your feet in the shallows for stingrays
• Access: a short sidewalk and soft sand; not a paved fishing platform

Facilities here are basic, so plan to bring what you need.

• A county beach parking lot at the street end
• Restrooms and bait are not confirmed at this access; buy bait before you arrive
• Bring water, sun protection and a cart for gear
• No lights on the sand, so bring a headlamp if you stay after dark

• Arrive early on weekends; the lot fills on warm days
• Watch the wash and pick the darker water between sandbars
• Sand fleas from a tackle shop out-fish frozen shrimp for pompano
• Carry a bucket and a pair of pliers for bluefish teeth
• Pack out all line and trash; hooks and mono hurt birds and turtles
• Register your vehicle with the county before you come if you are a resident, so you park free

Volusia County manages the beach parking, and the Ormond Beach shoreline is open to the public.

• The county's published information does not list this exact access as a fishing spot, so read the posted signs
• Chumming is not allowed on Volusia County beaches
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit; check the rules before targeting sharks
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything