Fishing in Fernandina Beach: The Ultimate Guide

If you have additional fishing coins, a term we use to refer to your fishing resources, we recommend exchanging them at a new location and investing in a new adventure. Try your luck at Fernandina Beach, situated on Amelia Island. This charming city boasts Victorian-style architecture and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and relaxation.

Fernandina Beach is often referred to as the "Island of 8 Flags," that name preserves and celebrates its rich history, which is also proudly reflected in its natural beauty, crystal waters, and beautifully carved coastline!

All of this contributes to genuinely fish-rich waters that have a large number of devotees. From the majestic waters of the Gulf Stream to the peaceful embrace of winding rivers and streams, it all adds to the vividness of fish life.

To make your preparations and the trip to Ferdinanda Beach easier, we have written a guide for you to be like a veteran fellow angler! We'll present you the fish, the best locations, and techniques and throw in a few tricks along the way! So, without wasting too much time, let's head to Fernandina Beach.

Fish Species Found in Fernandina Beach

It's tough to avoid fishing luck in such an affluent location, so even if you don't catch a trophy specimen of your favorite species, it's quite sure that you'll be lucky with someone else. Fishing in Fernandina Beach offers native and migratory species and the possibility of fishing all year round! Our advice is to take advantage of it!

Native Species

From the native fish species, you will have the opportunity to meet and catch typical representatives of the Florida coast and those that are not so typical! Let's find out what they are!

Redfish

At Fernandina Beach, the iconic Redfish is a dominant native species, seducing anglers with its lively color and significance, mostly trophy size. During the summer months, you'll find them roaming the shallows, while during the warmer times of the year, they are in deeper waters.

Mostly found reaching over 40 inches in length and 40 pounds in weight, they like to swim around marshes, flats, and oyster bars, offering anglers a varied playing field. However, they are usually caught in shallows and during warmer months.

• Best Time to Catch: Warmer months

• Habitat: Around marshes, flats and oyster bars

• Preferred Bait: Mullet, shrimp, crab, topwater plugs

• Fishing Technique: Drifting, jigging

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Depth: Shallow to mode

The most effective baits are topwater and live baits such as mullet, shrimp, and crab combined with jig fishing and drift fishing techniques.

Redfish, with its striking color and combativeness, always brings new nuance to fishing and hunting. At the same time, sharp observation and finesse are required to ensure a successful catch.

Red Snapper 

Another type of fish with a reddish-colored body that brings vibrancy and makes anglers' blood boil. Large and brightly colored with a robust body, the Red Snapper tends to hang out in schools around rocky outcrops, reefs, and wrecks.

Distinguished by their enormous size, these can reach lengths of over 40 inches and weigh over 20 pounds. Such size is always a challenge, and their habitats include deep-sea ledges, artificial structures, and various underwater formations.

• Best Time to Catch: January to May and September to December

• Habitat: Deep-sea ledges, artificial structures, and various underwater formations

• Preferred Bait: Squid, mullet, cigars, baits, spoons

• Fishing Technique: Drifting, bottom fishing

• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

• Depth: Moderate to deep

Red Snapper season at Fernandina Beach is from January to May and September to December, coinciding with their spawning season. During this season, Snappers are most active and easy to lure. They are attracted mainly by live bait such as squid, mullets, cigars, artificial baits, and spoons.

Like Redfish, Red Snappers are caught using bottom fishing and drift fishing techniques. They possess a commanding appearance that reflects the raw beauty of the underwater landscape, exuding an aura of strength and determination as they navigate the depths. As such, they require a sufficiently skilled and courageous angler.

Tarpon

In the waters of Fernandina Beach, a single Tarpon reigns as an emblem of power and grace; whenever and wherever it appears, it amazes and is awe-inspiring. With its monumental size, acrobatic displays, and Herculean strength, this fish has an exceptional reputation as one of the oldest to roam coastal waters. You'll find it off coastal plains and estuaries or around deeper channels and passes if you're lucky.

• Best Time to Catch: Warmer months, July 

• Habitat: Coastal plains and estuaries or around deeper channels and passes

• Preferred Bait: Live or artificial bats

• Fishing Technique: Drifting, casting

• Difficulty: Challenging to difficult

• Depth: Moderate to deep

Almost all specimens exceed 6 feet in length and weigh over 100 pounds. The season in Fernandina Beach is during the warmer months. July is the peak when they migrate along the coast, searching for spawning grounds. Various techniques, such as target casting with live or artificial baits and drift fishing, are used.

It is more than clear that Silver Kings are only a catch for some, but only for selected anglers who have many years of experience and wisdom in their swings.

Spotted Seatrout 

The waters of Fernandina Beach are generous without exaggeration, and the Spotted Seatrout emerges as a cherished icon of inshore fishing. It is lively and exciting in appearance and behavior, and spotted markings characterize its body. It inhabits grassy plains and sandy bottoms up to tidal creeks and estuaries.

It has a slim and long body, and it can swim fast and move in an elusive manner. It can reach 20 to 30 inches long, thus providing anglers with a challenge that balances skill and excitement. 

• Best Time to Catch: Late summer and early fall

• Habitat: Grassy plains and sandy bottoms up to tidal creeks and estuaries

• Preferred Bait: Soft plastics, spoons, and plugs or shrimp, mullet, and small baits

• Fishing Technique: Casting

• Difficulty: Challenging to difficult

• Depth: Moderate to deep

The season peaks during late summer and early fall as they become more active in response to rising water temperatures. Anglers often use artificial bait casting techniques, such as soft plastics, spoons, plugs, shrimp, mullets, and small baits.

Smooth and with an excellent feminine grace profile, the Spotted Seatrout possesses an intriguing appeal that reflects the dynamic, elusive beauty of the coastal landscape. There is always something mystical about it, which challenges anglers to embark on an adventure.

Flounder

The enigmatic and endearing Flounder is a captivating protagonist of the seabed, sand, and mud on Fernandina Beach. Famous for its cunning, excellent camouflage, and distinctive flattened body, the Flounder blends seamlessly into its surroundings, making it challenging even for the most experienced.

By cunning and camouflage, it makes up for its modest size and usually measures between 12 and 24 inches in length.

• Best Time to Catch: Spring and fall months

• Habitat: Mud and sandy bottom 

• Preferred Bait: Floating baits with live bait or on mud, mullet and shrimp

• Fishing Technique: Bottom fishing

• Difficulty: Challenging to difficult

• Depth: Moderate to deep

They are active most of the year, with the peak of activity typically occurring during the spring and fall. They are not big, but they like to eat, so catching them on floating bait with live bait or oud, mullet, and shrimp is best.

Due to its ability to camouflage and hide, many anglers could pick up a trick from this species, which is just what the Flounder is: they embody the essence of stealth and strategy.

Migratory Species

Once you're in these waters, it would be a shame to miss out on some pelagic species dominating the deep waters. 

Grouper

It is impossible to remain immune to the imposing size and terrifying presence of the Grouper – the kind that is synonymous with big, whether it's strength, appetite, or overall appearance. Grouper embarks on epic migrations along coastal waters, traveling long distances in search of the best feeding grounds. They can be found around rocky reefs, coastal ledges, shipwrecks, and artificial structures.

• Best Time to Catch: Warmer months

• Habitat: Rocky reefs and coastal ledges to shipwrecks and artificial structures

• Preferred Bait: Tench, mullet, and squid, or artificial such as deep diving plugs

• Fishing Technique: Bottom fishing

• Difficulty: Challenging to difficult

• Depth: Moderate to deep

They often exceed 3 feet and weigh over 50 pounds, and combined with their robust build, they are a very worthwhile fishing challenge. Peak season in Fernandina beaches is during the warmer months. Due to their size, they are excellent candidates for bottom fishing with live bait such as tench, mullet, and squid or artificial bait such as deep-diving plugs.

They hit hard and fight fiercely, which can be dangerous, making them an even more valuable species.

Triggerfish

Through the azure depths of Fernandina Beach, the stunning Triggerfish migrates, admired and loved for their tenacious attitude. With the exciting name of hardy fish, these fish live around rocky reefs and underwater structures to coral formations.

They are usually between 12 and 24 inches long and not too heavy or long, but their fierce temperament and elusive nature make up for that shortcoming. 

• Best Time to Catch: Spring and summer

• Habitat: Rocky reefs  and underwater structures to coral formations

• Preferred Bait: Shrimp, squid and small crabs

• Fishing Technique: Bottom fishing

• Difficulty: Challenging

• Depth: Moderate to deep

Bottom fishing techniques with live bait such as shrimp, squid, and small crabs mostly hunt them. Try your luck with them during spring and summer. Their nature is inquisitive, and as a bonus and representative of their combativeness, they are adorned with sharp teeth designed for crushing shells.

In addition, it has patterns and a distinctive dorsal fin reminiscent of a trigger mechanism, which evokes a sense of wonder and fascination and promises a truly unique experience.

Blackfin Tuna

The Blackfin Tuna is famous for its extraordinary athleticism and delicious meat and is an epic hero of coastal waters. It moves following the complicated patterns of seasonal change and ocean currents, and you can most often catch it around coastal reefs and underwater canyons.

It has an excellent, aerodynamic body, is agile, and perfectly adapted to the water. It's fast but smaller than some of their Tuna counterparts, often reaching lengths of 3 feet or more and weighing more than 40 pounds.

• Best Time to Catch: January to March and October to December

• Habitat: Coastal reefs and underwater canyons

• Preferred Bait: Shrimp, squid and small crabs

• Fishing Technique: Trolling, live bait fishing

• Difficulty: Challenging to difficult 

• Depth: Moderate to deep

They migrate through these waters several times, and peak activity usually occurs from January to March and October to December. Although they are caught using various techniques, trolling with artificial lures such as feathers, plugs, edge baits, and live bait fishing are the most common. 

This fish is well-equipped to survive in the depths with sharp senses, a voracious appetite, and an excellent body, making it a formidable opponent.

Wahoo

Wahoo is another respected representative of the sea depths and deep blue expanses. Famous for his speed and agility, he will treat his opponents with lightning strikes and powerful runs without hesitation.

This fish inhabits pelagic waters, favoring warm currents and structures such as reef drop-offs. There is an elongated body and vivid color, with vertical stripes across the flanks and a pointed muzzle that resembles a torpedo. It can grow over 6 feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds. Fernandina Beach waters vary throughout the year, but the peak season is from January to March.

• Best Time to Catch: From January to March

• Habitat: Pelagic waters, preferring warm currents and structures such as reefs, drop-offs

• Preferred Bait: Diving plugs, edge baits, and large spoons, or live baits such as bonito, mullet, and ballyhoo

• Fishing Technique: Trolling, artificial bait fishing

• Difficulty: Challenging to difficult 

• Depth: Moderate to deep

To succeed in catching up with this fast species, you better try trolling at high speed using artificial baits such as diving plugs, edge baits, and large spoons, or live baits such as bonito, mullet, and ballyhoo rigged with wire leaders.

With a wild demeanor, Wahoo possesses a raw appeal that reflects the untamed beauty of the ocean. Engaging in battle with them will give you a first-class adrenaline rush.

Sailfish

Wherever the sailboat appears, it symbolizes grace and power, inspiring awe and arousing the primal hunting instinct. A proud walrus with a sail-like dorsal fin and remarkable agility, the Sailfish navigates the open ocean with elegance and precision.

They inhabit pelagic waters, favoring warm currents and habitats such as reefs, ledges, and continental shelves. The best time to confront them is in warmer months.

• Best Time to Catch: Warmer months

• Habitat: Reefs, ledges, and continental shelves

• Preferred Bait: Jigs, skirts, and diving plugs or live baits such as bonito, mullet, and ballyhoo

• Fishing Technique: Trolling, artificial bait fishing

• Difficulty: Challenging to difficult 

• Depth: Moderate to deep

They often reach over 8 feet in length and over 100 pounds. With their vibrant colors and elongated bodies, gliders are a challenge to hunt and a sight to behold as their iridescent hues shimmer in the sunlight. 

Trolling techniques using artificial baits, such as jigs, skirts, diving plugs, and live baits like mullets, ballyhoo, and squid, have proven most effective. To many physical and metaphysical questions, Sailfish refers to freedom, adventure, battles, and the fact that it is very demanding to catch, it is needless to mention.

Prime Fishing Spots in Fernandina Beach

Whether you are going on a fishing expedition to Fernandina Beach in your custom-made organization or have hired a guide and charter services, having a list of prime fishing spots is always welcome. We will meet you and present locations that you simply must attend!

Amelia Island State Park

White sandy beaches and blue ocean – add to that the fishing technique you prefer, and you will have a true idyll in this beautiful place. Amelia Island State Park, located just a few minutes' drive from Fernandina Beach, offers convenient access for anglers, especially those who enjoy board fishing and beach casting. It is big enough for everyone to spread out and enjoy the day and fishing by the sea.

From Redfish and Pompano to Whiting and Flounder, you can fish from here all year round. In addition, the park has ample picnic areas and parking, ensuring all senses and fishing urges are comfortable on Florida's northeast coast.

Nassau Sound Fishing Pier

Nassau Sound Fishing Pier, located on the southern tip of Amelia Island, is a popular fishing destination known for its accessibility and colorful marine life. Relatively close to Fernandina Beach, this jetty provides easy and effective access to deep water and strong tidal currents, making it a hotspot for various fish. So from here, you can lure Trout, Sheepshead, Black, Drum, and even Tarpon and Redfish.  

In addition, the scenic backdrop of Nassau Sound and the destination's surrounding wetlands add to the location's appeal, offering anglers an imposing setting to focus on their following big catch.

Fort Clinch State Park

Fort Clinch State Park marks the northernmost point of Amelia Island and is a haven for those seeking quiet and scenic fishing, set against a backdrop of historic surroundings. A quick and short drive from Fernandina Beach, this park is an excellent choice for daily getaways and short fishing trips.

The park coast is excellent for casting and kayak fishing, and it lures Redfish, Trout, Flounder, and Bluefish. While fishing, you can enjoy stunning views of Fort Clinch, the park's historic center.

The park is spacious and designed to be angler-friendly while providing plenty of room for everyone. If you're a fan of hiking and enjoy exploring history, the nearby fortress is worth checking out. So, if you're planning a visit, remember to include a visit to the fortress on your itinerary!

Schultz's Fish Market

Schultz's Fish Market is not a place to buy and sell fish but an artificial reef approximately 8 miles offshore from Fernandina Beach. It's an excellent underwater haven that serves as a focal point for year-round bottom fishing, as it teems with marine life, thus living up to its kinky, ambiguous name.

You can fish from here for Redfish, Grouper, and Cobia, among other species. You can access this unusual market by boat, charter, or kayak. Boat ramps and marinas are nearby. It is a very inspiring location, which would be a shame to miss.

St. Marys Entrance Jetties

St. Marys Entrance Jetties, located at the mouth of the St. Marys into the Atlantic Ocean, offer anglers a contrasting fishing experience. The piers and their underwater bases serve as a shelter and habitat for many species, especially those from the bottom, so here you can catch Snapper, Grouper, and Sheepshead, up to the occasional pelagic giants such as Sailfish and Mackerel.

The great exclusivity of piers like this is the possibility of fishing fish directly into the rough waters around rocky structures. Those with boats can also venture a little offshore to explore deeper waters. From here, you can drift, cast, and troll; the possibilities for trying out techniques are endless.

St. Mary's Entrance Jetties has another advantage: it provides anglers with a unique opportunity to fish in an ever-changing environment against the backdrop of the vast expanse of the Atlantic.

Fishing Techniques in Fernandina Beach

We would like to challenge you to make a bet with us, which is that it is impossible to remain immune to the allure of the waters of Fernandina Beach, including everything that makes, surrounds, and swims in them.Therefore, we are confident that you will succeed in this location no matter what technique you apply!

Surf Fishing

The vast coastline of Fernandina Beach is perfect for surf fishing. This technique is a favorite among fishermen as it is relaxing and easy while providing a good catch. It involves wading into the surf or casting from the shore, using long casting rods and specialized surf equipment.

You can catch Red Bream, Pompano, Whiting, and Flounder utilizing this method, usually combined with shrimp, sand fleas, or cut bait.

Apart from the visual beauty of this technique, it is also practical at the same time. It provides the opportunity to cover large water areas, explore different depths, and target productive regions such as sandbars, beds, and currents. If you have never tried surf fishing and like the combination of riding the waves, fishing, and good fun, you should not miss trying the surf technique,

Kayak Fishing

Kayak fishing has gained popularity in recent years, as it provides an exciting and fun way to explore the diverse coastal waters of Fernandina Beach. It's easy to see why this technique is so appealing, as it allows anglers to access secluded fishing spots and untouched natural habitats. This unique experience creates a special connection with nature that cannot be easily described.

You'll need specialized fishing kayaks designed for stability and maneuverability to access shallow flats, creeks, and reefs. They must have rod holders, storage compartments, and fish finders.

This technique enables a quiet and almost silent approach, which is crucial in fishing. Thus, it increases the chances of encountering species such as Redfish, Trout, and Flounder. It's hard to resist the beauty of this technique and the freedom and space it provides.

Trolling

Trolling always stands out as a technique among such anglers when hunting for aquatic species. Dynamic and exciting, this technique allows anglers to cover large water areas, targeting predators such as King Mackerel, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, or Sailfish.

This technique involves placing lines behind a moving boat and maneuvering their depth and distance to cover different parts of the water column. It requires precision and attention to detail, such as speed adjustments and bait presentation.

The thrill of trolling lies in the anticipation, as constant observation is necessary for any signs of fish activity. If you successfully master the art of trolling, you can unlock access to some of the most exciting ocean fish off the northeast coast of Florida.

Fly Fishing

Those who tend towards precision and movement control turn to fly fishing, always with an aura of uniqueness, mystery, and a touch of introspection. If you are one of those, there are many places in Fernandina Beach where you can indulge in the passion of fly fishing. You can catch Redfish and Trout in shallow plains and backwaters.

It can be combined with surf fishing or casting from a kayak. Wherever you fly fish, you'll need specialized fly rods, reels, lines, anglers' casts, and light flies that follow the natural movements of shrimp or crayfish. Successfully combining all these elements and understanding the ecosystem and behavior of the target fish is essential.

Although this technique is tedious for many, it requires patience and skill and bountiful rewards for those who master it.

Fishing Regulations and Licenses in Fernandina Beach

Successful, relaxed, and happy fishing in Fernandina Beach requires following Florida's fishing ethics regulations. Such regulations may include certain species' catch, size, and closed-season limits.

Anyone over 16 fishing or planning to fish must possess a valid Florida fishing license. This permit can be obtained online, through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website, from local dealers, or at bait shops. Also, special permits may be required for fish-regulated species. 

In addition, anglers must be aware of the limitations of certain types of equipment to reduce their impact on the environment. A responsible approach to fishing, which includes correct handling techniques and adherence to catch-and-release guidelines, is essential.

Information, compliance with all rules, and possession of all permits are of the utmost importance for preserving the region's biodiversity and ensuring the possibility of recreational fishing for future generations.

Final Thoughts

Fernandina Beach is a place of immense beauty and charm that cannot be fully expressed in words. After conducting some online research and experiencing the joy of fishing in the area, we highly recommend you visit and see it yourself. 

While planning or already at the location, remember that besides fishing adventures in Fernandina Beach, you should enjoy the thrill of the catch and the immersive experience of being surrounded by inspiring coastal scenery.

In addition, do not ignore the rules and regulations; respect the environment of all those beautiful creatures that give you so much pleasure!

We would love to hear about your experiences fishing in Fernandina Beach! Please share your stories, tips, and photos in the comments below. We are here to support and help you make the most of your coastal fishing experience!