Beach fishing- Fishing friendly beaches? (shops, safer, area)

[Jay_F]

Have surf fished a lot of FL beaches in the Panhandle, SW, and NE parts of the state, but never in your area, and I'll be heading down in about a week. Have read what seem to be pretty restrictive rules if you want to fish from the beaches, and would like a little help please.

Can you please recommend fishing friendly beaches, that will let you fish all day/night/most of the day. The quieter/safer the better, especially for night fishing. I think I read a lot of beaches will allow beach fishing from something like 6pm-8am, but wonder if that is seasonal? Also, is the mullet run over, and how is the red tide? The map I saw seems to show little/no RT for area beaches, but I really like to get a locals view.

I won't have my cast net, so I'm wondering if you could point me in the direction of shops that have fresh Mullet from around the area. Hammer handles or good sized finger is just fine. I have had stores order it for me before, but I don't have time for this trip. I will however have my snagging rig, so if there is still a run I may be able to self supply.

Last question; what is typically in the surf this time of year? I know if the run is on it can greatly change the answer, just the same I have caught Redfish, Bluefish, Kingfish/Whiting, Ladyfish, Cobia/Ling (spring), Shark, Pompano, Spanish Macs, Ladyfish, Jacks, Little Tunny, and Flounder in other FL surf this time of year, and wonder if these, plus Tarpon and Snook might also be around? Have caught plenty of Hardhead and Gafftop cats, and rays to boot, and hope they are not so bad as to be a nuisance.

Thanks a lot for reading my post, and thanks for the help!

[huntergibbons]

Thank You for this post, I got to know many things about surfing and fishing. I will also try out.