New Smyrna Beach fishing calendar
What’s biting each month, and the best months to book.
Plan your New Smyrna Beach fishing trip with our month-by-month calendar for redfish, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, snook, tarpon and jack crevalle. Peak means the best fishing of the year, Good means steady fishing and Fair means possible but slower.
When is the best time to fish in New Smyrna Beach?
The best fishing in New Smyrna Beach is Oct–Nov, when redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon and jack crevalle are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and sheepshead; spring is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and sheepshead; summer is best for tarpon, vermilion & mangrove snapper and mahi-mahi; fall is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and snook.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): best for redfish, spotted seatrout, sheepshead and sailfish; also jack crevalle, vermilion & mangrove snapper and triggerfish.
- Spring (Mar–May): best for redfish, spotted seatrout, sheepshead and snook; also tarpon, jack crevalle and vermilion & mangrove snapper.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): best for tarpon, vermilion & mangrove snapper and mahi-mahi; also redfish, spotted seatrout and snook.
- Fall (Sep–Nov): best for redfish, spotted seatrout, snook and tarpon; also sheepshead, vermilion & mangrove snapper and triggerfish.
New Smyrna Beach fishing calendar by month
How good the fishing is for each fish, month by month. Tap a fish for our full guide.
- Peak best fishing of the year
- Good steady fishing
- Fair possible, but slower
- – slow, out of season or closed
| Fish | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inshore | ||||||||||||
| Redfish | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Spotted seatrout | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Peak | Peak |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | ||||
| Snook | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Fair |
| Tarpon | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | ||||
| Jack crevalle | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Reef | ||||||||||||
| Vermilion & mangrove snapper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Triggerfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Grouper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | ||||
| Offshore | ||||||||||||
| Sailfish | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak |
| Blackfin tuna | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good |
| Wahoo | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Mahi-mahi (dolphin) | Fair | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | |||||
| King mackerel (kingfish) | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
Seasons, size limits and bag limits change every year: see FWC saltwater rules and FWC freshwater rules. Snook and some other fish are catch-and-release in closed months.
What’s biting each month in New Smyrna Beach
Swipe to see every month →
January
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Sheepshead and Sailfish
Good Vermilion & mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Blackfin tuna and King mackerel (kingfish)
February
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Sheepshead and Sailfish
Good Vermilion & mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Blackfin tuna and King mackerel (kingfish)
March
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout and Sheepshead
Good Snook, Vermilion & mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Sailfish, Blackfin tuna, Wahoo and King mackerel (kingfish)
April
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Snook, Mahi-mahi (dolphin) and King mackerel (kingfish)
Good Sheepshead, Jack crevalle, Vermilion & mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Sailfish, Blackfin tuna and Wahoo
May
Peak Snook and Mahi-mahi (dolphin)
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Tarpon, Jack crevalle, Vermilion & mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Grouper, Wahoo and King mackerel (kingfish)
June
Peak Tarpon, Vermilion & mangrove snapper and Mahi-mahi (dolphin)
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Snook, Jack crevalle, Triggerfish, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)
July
Peak Tarpon, Vermilion & mangrove snapper and Mahi-mahi (dolphin)
Good Redfish, Snook, Jack crevalle, Triggerfish, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)
August
Peak Tarpon and Vermilion & mangrove snapper
Good Redfish, Snook, Jack crevalle, Triggerfish, Grouper, Mahi-mahi (dolphin) and King mackerel (kingfish)
September
Peak Redfish, Snook, Tarpon and Jack crevalle
Good Spotted seatrout, Vermilion & mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Grouper, Wahoo and King mackerel (kingfish)
October
Peak Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Jack crevalle, Grouper, Wahoo and King mackerel (kingfish)
Good Spotted seatrout, Vermilion & mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Sailfish and Blackfin tuna
November
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Snook, Jack crevalle, Grouper, Sailfish, Wahoo and King mackerel (kingfish)
Good Sheepshead, Tarpon, Vermilion & mangrove snapper, Triggerfish and Blackfin tuna
December
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Sheepshead and Sailfish
Good Jack crevalle, Vermilion & mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Grouper, Blackfin tuna, Wahoo and King mackerel (kingfish)
Best months for each fish in New Smyrna Beach
- Redfish: best Sep–Apr; good all year.
- Spotted seatrout: best Nov–Apr; good Sep–Jun.
- Sheepshead: best Dec–Mar; good Nov–Apr.
- Snook: best Apr–May and Sep–Nov; good Mar–Nov.
- Tarpon: best Jun–Oct; good May–Nov.
- Jack crevalle: best Sep–Nov; good Apr–Dec.
- Vermilion & mangrove snapper: best Jun–Aug; good all year.
- Triggerfish: good all year.
- Grouper: best Oct–Nov; good May–Dec.
- Sailfish: best Nov–Feb; good Oct–Apr.
- Blackfin tuna: good Oct–Apr.
- Wahoo: best Oct–Nov; good Mar–May and Sep–Dec.
- Mahi-mahi (dolphin): best Apr–Jul; good Apr–Aug.
- King mackerel (kingfish): best Apr and Oct–Nov; good all year.
Reviews from New Smyrna Beach trips
5.08 reviews
Capt Brad was great for both of our fishing trips. He took great care to make my husbands birthday fishing experience amazing and taught me how to use a bait caster. His boat was immaculate and most importantly, he put us on fish.
Ashley Eubanks · April 2026 · Google
freshwater fishing
Captain Brad was amazing Best day ever
robyn prestigiacomo · March 2022
A most delightful town
The town of New Smyrna is worth seeing and visiting. We enjoyed walking along the waterfront. You can drive your car to the beach. Ate dinner near the water at one of the Town Tavern which featured a live band. My friend and I went fishing, what fun, highly recommend it!
Lisa Wilson · January 2021
Obstacles conquered!
Started out with a full moon the night before and wind blowing 3 times what was forecast but Captain Brad had a plan. We got out and in no time had fish on! I had no expectations for what we might catch which turned out great 8 different species and two nice redfish! I had a great time!
Doug M. · March 2019 · TripAdvisor
Loved fishing
I have to say, this was one of the most professional organizations I have experienced. Booking was easy and customer support answered all my questions. Even when I remembered them and called back hours later! :) What was recommended was an afternoon trip with Capt Brad. I chose the 6 hour trip…
Tim S · January 2019
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Four hour trip with Captain Brad
We had a great time with Captain Brad. He had us on the fish right away in the morning and always kept us moving looking for more. He was very knowledgeable.
Eli L · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
New Smyrna Beach fishing calendar FAQ
When is the best time to fish in New Smyrna Beach?
The best fishing in New Smyrna Beach is Oct–Nov, when redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon and jack crevalle are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and sheepshead; spring is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and sheepshead; summer is best for tarpon, vermilion & mangrove snapper and mahi-mahi; fall is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and snook.
What fish are biting in New Smyrna Beach in winter?
From December to February, redfish, spotted seatrout, sheepshead and sailfish are at their best, and jack crevalle, vermilion & mangrove snapper, triggerfish, grouper, blackfin tuna, wahoo and king mackerel are good. Pick calm days between cold fronts.
What fish are biting in New Smyrna Beach in summer?
From June to August, tarpon, vermilion & mangrove snapper and mahi-mahi are at their best, and redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, jack crevalle, triggerfish, grouper and king mackerel are good. Book an early start to beat the heat and afternoon storms.
What is the best month for redfish in New Smyrna Beach?
Redfish fishing in New Smyrna Beach is best Sep–Apr, and good all year.
When is the best time for vermilion & mangrove snapper in New Smyrna Beach?
Vermilion & mangrove snapper fishing in New Smyrna Beach is best Jun–Aug, and good all year.
Do fishing seasons and limits apply in New Smyrna Beach?
Yes. Some fish have closed seasons, size limits and bag limits that change from year to year. Months marked “–” on this calendar are slow, out of season or usually closed. Your captain follows the current rules; check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for this year’s dates.
How do I book a fishing trip in New Smyrna Beach?
Pick your trip and date on the New Smyrna Beach fishing charters page and book online with a local captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before your trip, and a full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call or text (407) 392-4593.