Sunrise Park, Holly Hill Fishing

Sunrise Park, Holly Hill is a city park on a point in the Halifax River whose long, rebuilt pier is an easy way to reach open river water from dry land between Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach.

• A pier of close to 400 feet with handrails, stretching well out from the point
• Trout, redfish and black drum from the same deck
• Sheepshead on the pilings through the cold months
• Family-friendly shore facilities, including a pavilion built out over the water

Sunrise Park is at 1135 Riverside Drive in Holly Hill, on the river side of the road; Sunrise Park North holds the fishing pier, and a footbridge links it to Sunrise Park South with the boat ramp.

• Hours: the city's park page lists 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; other listings differ, so check the posted sign
• Admission: free
• Parking: lots in both halves of the park
• The pier starts from the paved walkway at the tip of the point
• A walking path circles the park, which also has an outdoor fitness court

Because the pier reaches the open river, its catch leans toward fish that cruise deeper water as well as the edge species.

• Spring (Mar-May): black drum and sheepshead taper off; trout and redfish get busier as the water warms
• Summer (Jun-Aug): trout early in the morning, mangrove snapper among the pilings, jacks and ladyfish chasing bait at the surface
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings redfish, flounder and jacks, and the trout bite improves as the water cools
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum near the pilings and croaker along the bottom

Bring one bottom rod and one lighter rod for casting along the pier edges.

• A fish-finder rig with a 1 to 2 oz sinker and shrimp, crab or cut mullet for drum and redfish off the end
• A popping cork with live shrimp drifted with the current for trout
• Soft plastic jerkbaits or paddle-tails on 1/4 oz jigheads cast parallel to the deck
• Fiddler crabs on a short leader and a small strong hook for sheepshead on the pilings
• Small live shrimp free-lined in summer for snapper
• Bring a drop net or a long-handled net, because lifting a big fish up to a pier deck breaks line

The Halifax at Holly Hill has two small tides a day, well short of the swing at Ponce Inlet, and the wind often decides which way the water moves.

• The hour either side of a tide change usually fishes best off the end of the pier
• A light breeze that ripples the surface helps the trout bite; a flat calm at midday slows it
• A hard northeast wind stirs the river and colors the water
• Winter fronts push sheepshead and drum onto the pilings
• Summer mornings and the last hours before closing are cooler and busier than midday

The pier is a modern structure with handrails, reached by paved paths, so it is easy to get to and to fish from.

• Afternoon thunderstorms roll in quickly in summer; a long pier is no place to be in lightning
• The deck is exposed to sun and wind; bring shade, water and sunscreen
• Watch children on the pier and around the seawall along the park's edge
• Boat traffic uses the river beyond the pier; keep lines clear of passing boats
• Handle catfish and stingrays carefully, and never cast toward manatees or dolphins

The shore side of the park is set up for families as well as anglers.

• Restrooms and parking
• A large playground and an outdoor fitness court
• Picnic tables, grills and several pavilions, including one out over the water
• The boat ramp is in Sunrise Park South, over the footbridge
• No bait shop, food or rod rental is listed, so bring what you need

• Walk the whole length of the pier before settling: the far end reaches the most open water
• Keep a small cooler of live shrimp; frozen shrimp works for drum but live bait wins for trout and snapper
• In winter, fish slowly and right against the pilings for sheepshead
• The pavilion over the water is a good shaded base on a hot day
• Pavilions can be rented from the city for parties, so expect company at weekends

Sunrise Park belongs to the City of Holly Hill.

• Keep to the park's posted hours; the city's page lists 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Follow posted pier and park rules
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you qualify for an exemption
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything