The Ultimate Guide to Watersports in Ponce Inlet & New Smyrna Beach

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For those who hear the call of the line screaming off a reel, Ponce Inlet is more than just a beautiful coastline—it's a world-class fishing destination. Thanks to a rich ecosystem where the Halifax River and Indian River Lagoon meet the Atlantic, these waters are teeming with sought-after game fish 365 days a year. But the key to a successful day of Ponce Inlet fishing is knowing what to target, and when. This guide breaks down the seasons to show you what’s biting and how you can get in on the action. Spring: The Grand Awakening As the water warms, the entire fishery comes alive. Spring is a fantastic time for variety, as hungry fish emerge from their winter patterns. Speckled Trout: You’ll find large "gator" trout ambushing bait on the grass flats. Redfish: Schools of redfish begin to actively feed along oyster bars and mangrove shorelines. Snook: The prized snook become much more active, moving from their winter haunts to feed aggressively around docks and in the inlet. Summer: The Sizzling Bite The heat of summer brings some of the most exciting species to the forefront. Early morning and late evening trips can produce incredible results. Snook: Summer is primetime for snook fishing along the beaches and inside the inlet. Tarpon: The legendary "Silver King" arrives. Hooking into one of these acrobatic giants is an unforgettable experience for any angler. Mangrove Snapper: These tasty fish are abundant around any structure and provide fast, fun action for the whole family. Fall: The Main Event Ask any local angler their favorite time to fish, and they'll likely say fall. The cooling water temperatures trigger a feeding frenzy that makes for some of the best inshore fishing near Daytona Beach . Bull Redfish: This is what Ponce Inlet is famous for. Massive, breeding-size redfish swarm the inlet, providing a world-class fishery for anglers seeking a true trophy catch. Flounder: Large flounder move from the backwaters towards the ocean, making them a prime target around docks, jetties, and sandy bottoms. Snook & Trout: The action for these species remains red hot throughout the fall. Winter: Cool Water, Hot Action While other fisheries slow down, Ponce Inlet continues to produce. The key is knowing where the fish go to find warmer water. Sheepshead: These striped fish with human-like teeth swarm the jetties, bridges, and docks, offering a fun challenge and a delicious reward. Black Drum: The cousins of the redfish can be found in the deeper holes of the backwater creeks and residential canals. Redfish: While the giant bull reds have moved on, plenty of slot-sized redfish can be caught in the shallow, sunny backwaters. The Guide's Advantage: From Knowing to Catching Knowing this calendar is one thing, but knowing where to be on a specific tide with the right bait is the key to a bent rod. That’s where local knowledge becomes your greatest asset. An experienced guide knows the secret spots, understands the tidal movements, and has the freshest bait to turn a slow day into a memorable one. Your Ponce Inlet Fishing Charter is Waiting At Ponce Inlet Watersports, we live and breathe this fishery every day. We offer two fantastic options to get you on the water: Public Fishing Charter : Perfect for individuals, couples, or small groups. You’ll join others on our comfortable, 10-person flat-bottom boat for a fun, social, and affordable day of fishing our local hotspots. Private Fishing Charter : For the dedicated angler, family, or group who wants a personalized experience. You’ll have our 6-person, 21' Parker center console and the captain all to yourselves to target specific species or simply enjoy a private trip. Stop wondering what's biting and let us put you on the fish. Call us or book your Ponce Inlet fishing charter online today!

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Don't Let Sunburn Ruin Your Fun: A Guide to Sun Protection and Treatment

There are few wildlife encounters more magical than seeing a Florida manatee in its natural habitat. These gentle, curious giants, often called "sea cows," glide gracefully through our coastal waters, and spotting one is a highlight for locals and visitors alike. While luck always plays a part, you can significantly increase your chances of a memorable sighting by knowing what to look for. As Ponce Inlet's ecotour experts, we're sharing our top tips for spotting manatees on the water. 1. Know the Best Time to Look Manatees are warm-blooded mammals and their behavior is heavily influenced by water temperature. Winter (November - March): This is peak manatee-viewing season in many parts of Florida. As coastal waters cool, manatees congregate in warmer areas like natural springs and power plant discharge canals. Summer (April - October): During the warmer months, manatees disperse along the coastline to feast on abundant seagrass. This is the perfect time to spot them in the shallow backwaters of the Indian River near Ponce Inlet, often munching on their favorite meal. They can be quite active throughout the day, but mornings are often a great time to find them feeding. 2. Look for Their "Footprint" Manatees are often spotted just below the surface, and they leave distinct clues for a trained eye. Instead of looking for the whole animal, search for these signs: The Snout Ripple: The most common sign is the circular ripple pattern they create on the water's surface when they come up for a breath. Look for a series of expanding rings appearing on calm water. The Tail "Footprint": As a manatee's powerful tail propels it forward just under the surface, it creates a large, flat swirl of water that looks like a footprint. Seeing a series of these is a sure sign a manatee is on the move nearby. A Large, Slow-Moving Shadow: In clearer, shallow water, you can often spot their large, grey, potato-like shape moving slowly along the bottom. 3. Find Their Food Source Manatees are herbivores and can eat up to 10-15% of their body weight in vegetation daily! The key to finding manatees is to find their food. Look for shallow, sunny areas known as "flats" where seagrass grows. If you see patches of seagrass, slow down and scan the area carefully. 4. Practice Responsible Viewing Seeing these incredible animals up close is a privilege, and protecting them is our top priority. Manatees are a protected species under state and federal law. Always follow the golden rule of passive observation. Look, but don't touch. Never feed or give water to manatees.  Avoid making loud noises or sudden movements. Keep your distance and let them go about their business. The Best Way to See a Manatee: A Guided Tour The surest way to have a successful and responsible manatee encounter is to go with a local expert. The captains at Ponce Inlet Watersports have spent years navigating these waters. We know the manatees' favorite feeding grounds, their seasonal habits, and how to approach them safely without disturbing their natural behavior. Our Dolphin & Manatee Ecotour is specifically designed to maximize your chances of seeing these amazing animals. You can relax and enjoy the scenery while our experienced guides lead you to the best spots, sharing fascinating facts about the local ecosystem along the way. Ready to meet the gentle giants of Ponce Inlet? Book your ecotour online today and create memories that will last a lifetime!