New Smyrna Beach, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River, is a fisherman’s dream. Surrounded by water on three sides and in many places in between, there are well over 30 miles of fishable shoreline, rivers simply bursting with fish, deep water just offshore and several docks and public boat ramps in New Smyrna Beach for taking off in search of the catch of a lifetime or just filling your cooler.
Types of Fish in New Smyrna Beach
Offering one of the most prolific aquatic ecosystems on the planet, New Smyrna Beach has a ton on the menu when it comes to fish. Our rivers are full of catfish, crappie, carp and all sorts of bass. Plus, not only is New Smyrna Beach known as “The Redfish Capital of the World,” our Indian River Lagoon is ripe with them!
Then, of course you have inshore and offshore saltwater fish, including species from sailfish, to swordfish, mahi mahi, marlin, drum, tuna, king mackerel, jacks, grouper and snapper. New Smyrna Beach is also “Shark Bite Capital of the World.” Just sayin’!
WHERE the Fish Are Biting in New Smyrna Beach
Surrounded by rivers, lagoons and the deep blue sea, it’s no wonder that the fertile waters of New Smyrna Beach have produced a rich fishing heritage that is centuries long. New Smyrna Beach’s wide, long shoreline is fed by the Gulf Stream, making inshore fishing a hard to beat; and Ponce de Leon Inlet toward the north provides deep water access just perfect for sport fishing.
About 40 miles out is where the Intracoastal drops off. Sailfish and tuna can be found in nice numbers there; and bottom fishing on the reefs and wrecks can result in a bounty of triggerfish, snapper and grouper. It is also fun fishing weed lines, wrecks and reefs for mahi mahi, cobia, kingfish and sails or you can bottom fish for amberjacks, barracudas or some tasty grouper and snapper.
Let’s not forget our rivers, which are full of trophy bass; and here’s a little secret…the rock jetty south of Ponce Inlet is a great place for you to put your surf rod to the test. Surf fishing here in New Smyrna Beach is famous for pompano, flounder, redfish, bluefish, whiting and mackerel. Fiddler crabs are usually the bait of choice.
WHEN the Fish Are Biting in New Smyrna Beach
Let’s be honest, fishing is a year-round sport here in New Smyrna Beach, but here are some timing tips you might enjoy. During the summer months, 10-40 pound tarpons are prevalent in the Banana River, Sebastian Inlet and Mosquito Lagoon and, if you use live bait, your chances of catching a really large tarpon increase. If you want an even better chance of catching a huge tarpon, The Indian River – which is part of the 3,000 mile Intracoastal Waterway and also inhabited by trophy trout, snook, reds, flounder and black drum – could snag you a 50-100 pound tarpon during October and November.
You don’t have to go far from shore for an exciting day of shark fishing either. The best time to shark fish is from April through October and you will most commonly find hammerhead, lemon, bonnethead, bull sharks, sharp nose sharks, spinners and blacktips.
Fishing Charters in New Smyrna Beach
It may not surprise you that a locale with such great fishing would offer beaucoup fishing charters to boot! Here’s just a sampling of some choices ranging from three to ten-hour fishing trips with offerings from inshore, to offshore, trolling, bottom fishing, shark fishing and night fishing:
Reel Compulsive Charters at 129 N. Riverside Drive – 386-547-4480 (This one is a 42-ft Egg Harbor with an air conditioned salon and full bathroom.)
Holy Smokes Fishing Charters at 162 N Causeway – 407-702-5309
The Fishing Guy at 1424 Peninsula Avenue – 407-948-5035
New Smyrna Fishing Charters at 550 Canal Street – 386-456-6709
Not to be confused with New Smyrna Beach Fishing Charters at 804 Dougherty Street – 386-868-2046
Reef Wrecker Fishing Charters at 170 Causeway N. – 386-402-3957
Poseidon (386-314-1367) and Code Red (386-214-3530) are both at 639 Goodwin Avenue
Caught Up Fishing Charters (386-689-7409) and OAR Sport Fishing (386-233-0872) at 111 Riverside Drive
Freddie Z Fishing at 129 N. Riverside Drive – 386-423-9260
Addicted Fishing Charters at 160 Causeway N – 386-748-1585
Timeless Fishing Charters at 162 Causeway N – 386-456-7156
Finn Addict at 164 N. Causeway – 386-547-4053
New Smyrna Beach Boat Rentals
Plus, in addition to all the boogie boards, kayaks, paddle boards and jet skis rentals available to add hours of enjoyment to your stay, there are boats available for rent in New Smyrna Beach too. So, if you prefer to head out on your own to do your fishing (keeping all your favorite secret fishing holes secret), it is easy to do so in New Smyrna.
Gerry’s Marina, located on the North Causeway right by Merk’s has been serving Central Florida boaters for decades. Gerry’s is full-service, has an excellent reputation and offers well-maintained boats for rent with easy access to extremely fishable New Smyrna Beach waters.
If you happen to have your own boat, 500 N Causeway and 2455 Boat Ramp Drive are just two of the New Smyrna Beach boat ramps available to the public.
Fishing Licenses
Here in Florida, you don’t need a fishing license if you are fishing in Florida with a charter boat captain; if you are fishing from a pier; if you are under the age of 16; or if you are over the age of 65. However, if you are under 16 or over 65, you must be able to provide proof of age; and seniors must also be able to provide proof of residency.
Most local bait and tackle shops sell fishing licenses. Sporting goods stores, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or a Walmart with an outdoor department, usually provide fishing licenses as well. A fishing license may also be easily obtained on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.