By Adam Young, Our US Harbors Fishing Expert
About The Region
Daytona Beach may be known for its famed raceway or as a popular spring break destination, but don’t let that overshadow the fantastic fishing in the region.
Situated on the east coast of central Florida, Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas offer excellent coastal and inshore fishing opportunities.
Besides, where else can you watch racecars whiz by at 150 mph and enjoy world-class beaches?
Common Types of Fish to Catch In Daytona Beach
You can’t go to Daytona Beach without visiting the beach, right? With Tiki bars and restaurants behind you, you can cast your line into the surf and hook into whiting, pompano, flounder, bluefish, sea bream, margates, and much more.
Inshore anglers will be happy to hear that snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout can be found year-round along the Halifax River grass flats and oyster bars.
Larger fish like black drum, tarpon, and jack crevalle are common, especially around the many bridges that span mainland Florida to the barrier island and beaches (Hint: Find the deep holes during the winter!)
And there is no shortage of offshore opportunities; Mahi Mahi, kingfish, and sailfish lurk just a few miles off the coast, and snapper, grouper, and the tasty tilefish are common on the reefs below.
And with a robust recreational fishing fleet, there are plenty of experienced charter captains to put you on the fish. They even provide all the tackle, which is convenient if you visit the area on vacation.
Fishing from Land
The fantastic surf fishing opportunities are the crown jewel of fishing in the Daytona Beach area. Known for its vast and accessible beaches, surf anglers can sometimes be lined up shoulder to shoulder when the pompano are running.
Locals usually get up at first light and walk or drive to the beaches to look for diving birds, sand bars, or rip currents. With a trained eye, you can pick out a specific spot in the surf where bait and predatory gamefish are likely to concentrate.
Additionally, Daytona Beach offers two popular piers for public fishing: The Daytona beach pier and the ponce inlet jetty. Both of these elevated piers offer excellent fishing from a safe and stable position.
Fishing from a Boat
For boaters, you can stay ‘inside’ and fish the Halifax River. Here you’ll find more boat traffic but calmer water. Pay close attention to the no-wake zones, as this area is popular for manatees.
Another option is to venture out of Ponce Inlet and fish along the coastal beaches or offshore. Daytona Beach is a popular boating destination with plenty of public boat ramps, fuel stations, and bait and tackle shops.
Tips and Regulations
The good news is that you do not need a fishing license if you are fishing in saltwater from land in Florida! This makes it an ideal location to grab a cooler, pitch an umbrella on the beach, and cast out a line. Cut clams, sand fleas, and shrimp are the best baits for beach fishing. Try fish bites, throwing a silver spoon, or gotcha plug for artificial lures.
Final Thoughts
Daytona Beach is the perfect destination to enjoy all the comforts of a beach vacation, but why not try some fishing too? I can’t think of a better way to relax than sipping an umbrella drink with my feet in the sand and a rod in my hand.
Thanks for reading, and good luck!
About Adam Young, Our US Harbor Fishing Expert
Adam grew up on the east coast of Florida, fishing and boating in the world famous Indian River Lagoon. He’s a full time fishing content creator and freelance writer, with a broad range of angling experience from the bonefish flats of the Bahamas to the halibut grounds of Kachemak Bay, Alaska.
