Inlet Beach Regional Access Fishing

Inlet Beach Regional Access is the easiest way onto the Gulf at the east end of South Walton: the county's largest beach access, with restrooms and boardwalks straight onto a wide surf beach.

• 117 parking spaces, including accessible parking
• Accessible restrooms, an accessible boardwalk and three dune walkovers
• Pompano, whiting and redfish in the surf
• Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish in the warm months

The access is in Inlet Beach at the eastern end of South Walton, at the south end of South Orange Street, about 200 yards south of US 98 and a short way west of the Bay County line.

• Getting there: turn south off US 98 onto South Orange Street in Inlet Beach and follow it to the access
• Parking: 117 spaces, including accessible spaces; the lot fills early on summer days
• Entry: a public county beach access; no entry fee is listed
• Surface: boardwalks and dune walkovers, then soft sand
• Beach wheelchairs are available at the access (Visit South Walton lists them from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)

Like the rest of the Emerald Coast, spring and fall are the best seasons in the surf.

• Spring (Mar–May): pompano, Gulf whiting, Spanish mackerel and bluefish; cobia cruise outside the bar
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Spanish mackerel and ladyfish at dawn, whiting in the troughs
• Fall (Sep–Nov): pompano back, bull redfish on the bars, mackerel on the bait
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Gulf whiting on calm days, the odd pompano

A 9 to 12 foot surf rod and a lighter spinning rod cover it.

• Pompano and whiting: double-drop rig with sand fleas, shrimp or Fishbites in the first trough
• Redfish: cut mullet on a fish-finder rig cast to the bar
• Spanish mackerel and bluefish: spoons and gotcha plugs when fish break
• Pompano jigs bounced through the trough
• Use a sand spike and keep lines tight so they do not drift into swimmers

Tides are small on this coast and often one a day; the water color and surf matter more.

• Clean green water and a light south or southeast breeze are best
• A moving tide stirs the troughs
• Moderate surf brings pompano close; flat calm water fishes slower
• Dawn and dusk are best, and quieter, in summer
• After a storm, give the water a day or two to clear

This is one of the more accessible beaches in Walton County.

• Accessible parking, restrooms and boardwalk, with beach wheelchairs available
• Lifeguards from March through October and a beach conditions flag: obey the flags, since entering the Gulf under double red flags is against the law, and keep lines away from swimmers
• Rip currents are common; never wade deep in rough surf
• Shuffle your feet in the troughs for stingrays
• Leave the beach at the first sign of lightning

Visit South Walton lists a full set of access facilities.

• Accessible restrooms and a water fountain
• Accessible boardwalk and three dune walkovers
• Seasonal lifeguards and a beach conditions flag
• Beach wheelchairs at the access
• No bait shop at the access; buy bait before you come
• Bring your own shade, water and ice for a long session

• Arrive at first light: the lot fills early in summer and fishing is best then
• Walk away from the walkovers and swimmers to fish
• Spring pompano show when the Gulf warms toward the 70s °F
• Look for the darker trough water and fish its near edge
• Take all gear off the beach when you leave; items left overnight can be removed
• Camp Helen State Park, about half a mile east across the county line, is quieter

Walton County manages the access; posted beach rules apply.

• Obey lifeguard instructions and beach flags; it is unlawful to keep fishing after a law enforcement officer warns that bathers are at risk
• Walton County's beach ordinance makes it unlawful to intentionally fish for sharks, or to chum or bloodbait, from the beach or the water near shore
• No glass on the beach, nothing left on the beach overnight, and any hole you dig must be filled before you leave
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Sea turtles nest in summer; stay off the dunes
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything