Roberta Drive Fishing Dock, Ormond Beach

Roberta Drive Fishing Dock is a small, quiet county dock on the Halifax River, a stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway behind Ormond Beach. It is the sort of place locals fish for the sunset and a few redfish or sheepshead.

• County-listed fishing dock that doubles as a kayak launch
• Tidal Halifax River water with docks, oyster bars and grass nearby
• Redfish, black drum, sheepshead and spotted seatrout
• Little traffic and a peaceful setting

The dock is at the river end of Roberta Drive, in the 1700 block of John Anderson Drive, Ormond Beach, and Volusia County runs it.

• Hours: sunrise to sunset
• Parking: a few spaces only, so go early or expect to walk
• Entry: no fee is listed by the county
• Surface: a short walk to a wooden dock
• Nearby: the dock sits on the river side of the island; the ocean beach is a short drive east

The Halifax River holds a mix of inshore fish through the year.

• Spring (Mar-May): spotted seatrout and redfish on the moving tide, jacks passing through
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper and mullet around the pilings, with redfish in the early morning
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and black drum, with mullet and bait schools on the move
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum on the pilings, plus seatrout on calm, mild days

Light to medium spinning gear with 10 to 15 lb line suits the dock.

• Sheepshead and black drum: fiddler crabs or small shrimp on a 1/0 hook straight down along the pilings
• Redfish: cut mullet, live shrimp or a small crab on a bottom rig
• Seatrout: live shrimp under a popping cork, or a soft plastic on a 1/8 oz jig head
• Mangrove snapper: small live shrimp on a light leader
• Bring a small landing net; the deck can sit high at low tide

The river follows the Atlantic's two highs and two lows a day, though the current is gentler than at an inlet.

• Fish the outgoing tide, when bait is pulled past the dock
• Dawn and the last hour of light are best, especially in summer
• Clear, cool winter days favor sheepshead
• Heavy rain muddies the water for a day or two
• A strong east wind can push water up the river and slow the bite

This is a small neighborhood dock, not a pier with services.

• Boat wakes from the Intracoastal can rock the deck; keep gear secured
• Boards can be slick with dew and algae
• Leave the dock at the first thunder of a summer storm
• Bring water and sun protection, and bug spray at dusk
• Access: a short walk from a small lot, with no ramps or rails confirmed

Facilities here are minimal.

• A fishing dock and a kayak launch, as listed by the county
• No restrooms confirmed at the dock
• No bait shop confirmed; bring bait and drinks
• Lighting is not confirmed, and the dock is open sunrise to sunset only

• Arrive early; the lot holds only a handful of cars
• Fiddler crabs beat shrimp for sheepshead in winter
• Fish the last two hours of the outgoing tide for redfish along the edges
• A cast net for mullet or shrimp can give you fresh bait if you are allowed to net here; check signs first
• Pack out your line and trash; the dock is small and easy to foul
• Combine a river session with a morning at the ocean surf

Roberta Drive Fishing Dock is a Volusia County park facility, listed by the county among its fishing docks and piers.

• Open sunrise to sunset
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt, since the Halifax River is tidal
• Volusia County bars chumming from county waters; read the posted signs
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything
• Redfish, snook and other species have their own rules; check FWC