UTERWhiting fishing in The First Coast
In The First Coast, whiting peak November–May and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Whiting in the surf with shrimp and Fishbites.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Whiting in The First Coast, month by month
- JanuaryPeak
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeakThe kings start; trout and reds spread through the marsh. Last of the sheepshead; the spring kingfish run starts late month on the nearshore reefs; trout and reds move out onto the marsh edges.
- AprilPeakWhiting in the surf with shrimp and Fishbites.
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberArriving
- NovemberPeakFlounder run peaks; trout in the creeks; sheepshead return to the pilings. Flounder on the outgoing at the inlets and creek mouths; trout stacked in the deeper creek bends; sheepshead back on the docks and jetties.
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish whiting near Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Jacksonville
Spartina marsh, oyster-lined creeks and the Intracoastal from Ponce Inlet to the Georgia line, the St. Johns River and the Mayport jetties, St. Augustine and Matanzas inlets, and the beaches. More like Georgia's lowcountry than the rest of Florida.
Fish Scouter charts 18 beach / surf, 5 pass / inlet spots in the The First Coast map area — the kinds whiting hold on.
What to use for whiting
- Sand fleas (mole crabs)On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#4–#1
- Braid10–15 lb
Feeds in 56–82°F water, best at 62–76°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch whiting in The First Coast?
Peak season is November–May. Whiting are here year-round. April: Whiting in the surf with shrimp and Fishbites.
Where do whiting hold in The First Coast?
Look on beach / surf, pass / inlet — around Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Mayport, Fernandina Beach.
What is the best bait for whiting in The First Coast?
Live bait: sand fleas (mole crabs), live shrimp. Sand fleas (mole crabs): On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #4–#1, braid 10–15 lb.
What are the rules for whiting in The First Coast?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about whiting · The First Coast, the whole year