New Smyrna Beach provides anglers with easy access to both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities. The Halifax River offers top-notch inshore fishing while pelagic species are on patrol only a short trip from shore. The freshwater options are also incredible thanks to the nearby St Johns River and Lake George. From the inland freshwater lake out to the reefs in deep offshore waters, New Smyrna Beach has excellent fishing everywhere you look.
Freshwater fishing is only a short drive inland and provides unique fishing opportunities. Lake George is only a few miles west of the coast but the water is brackish as the St. Johns River nears the ocean.
This lake is very productive for crappie and bass as well as several other inshore species. The wide variety of species to target in Lake George means there is no shortage of fish to catch. If you want to get two birds with one stone, this is the fishing spot for you.
New Smyrna Beach Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing near New Smyrna Beach gives anglers the chance to target trophy-sized inshore species in a ton of different habitats. These waters are home to popular game fish including redfish, speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead, and flounder. The brackish backcountry waters near New Smyrna Beach are a great place to bucket list fish like tarpon and snook that grow into giants and can be hard to outsmart. With such a wide variety of fish and environments to target, New Smyrna Beach offers top-notch inshore fishing that makes it easy to find the perfect trip for any group.
New Smyrna Beach Nearshore Fishing
Heading out past the inlet to the coastline and nearshore waters opens up tons of new species to target. pompano chase bait in the surf while snapper and grouper species hang out near the reefs and wrecks in deeper water. All of these fish are stout fighters when they get hooked and offer all the rod-bending action you can handle. Pompano usually only reach a few pounds but they are a thrill to catch. Live bait and jigs fished near structures will be the most effective way to target these fish. The same goes for snapper and grouper but at much greater depths.
New Smyrna Beach Offshore Fishing
If you want to target some truly massive fish, head out to offshore waters for wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi, and kingfish. These fish grow huge and are formidable fighters that high hard and run. With wahoo growing to 80+ pounds and tuna easily reaching several hundred pounds, If you hook up with either of these fish you will be battling for hours. These fish also happen to be exceptionally delicious thanks to their excellent meat qualities.
Things to Do in New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach has an abundance of activities on or off the water that is sure to provide the trip of a lifetime. Any trip to the coast means spending at least one day at the beach, and the beaches near Ponce Inlet are gorgeous. Clean sand and beautiful water make them a great place to get some rest and relaxation. If you love history or just doing some sightseeing, head across the bay to Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. When it’s time to fuel up or wind down, there are plenty of beachfront restaurants and bars to choose from.
Book a New Smyrna Beach Fishing Charter
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New Smyrna Beach Tides and Weather
View New Smyrna Beach tide times and charts here and New Smyrna Beach weather forecasts here.
