Ok, the subject might be a bit strong but…. I’ve moved to Florida 2 years ago as I wanted to find a place where I could surf fish year-round. Prior to moving here we did all our surf fishing along the Delaware and Maryland Beaches.
I don’t recall a single park, parking area, or stretch of beach which closes at night, you can fish, park, and use the parks (state and federal) 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Now here in Florida it seems nearly everywhere I go there’s a park which closes at dusk or a parking area which large signs “no parking from 9PM – 6AM”. Even a federal park such as Canaveral National Seashore closes at sunset. In Maryland we had Assateague National Park, actually composes of both a State and National Park. NONE of Assategue closes at night, after 5PM it free and you can fish as late as you want.
In the last 2 years I fished Ormond Beach and Ormond By the Sea areas as they have road side parking which doesn’t close at sunset. However this year the beaches are flat and fishing only so-so. I’ve been driving nearly every night to Flagler and either fishing the pier or the surf from anywhere north of the pier. Again there is plenty of non-time-restricted road side parking.
Being that I live in Daytona Beach I’m looking for night time surf fishing spots south of me. But I’ve discovered that from the south end of New Smyra Beach (starting at the northern park of CNS) south clear til Sabastian inlet is closed at sunset! That is over 86 miles of beach closed at night.
Today I was checking all the Brevard County Parks and ALL have signs “Park Closes at Sunset”. The only roadside parking available is just south of Sabastian and that is very limited.
To make matters worse I drive down to Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood and North Miami areas. Again, NO PARKING after Sunset signs litter the beach side parking areas. Another 13+ miles of beach parking closed to night time activities.
I guess my question is this why is Florida so much against anyone on the beaches at night while other states allow it? Also, where can you surf fish at night south of Daytona Beach?
George

I don’t recall a single park, parking area, or stretch of beach which closes at night, you can fish, park, and use the parks (state and federal) 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Now here in Florida it seems nearly everywhere I go there’s a park which closes at dusk or a parking area which large signs “no parking from 9PM – 6AM”. Even a federal park such as Canaveral National Seashore closes at sunset. In Maryland we had Assateague National Park, actually composes of both a State and National Park. NONE of Assategue closes at night, after 5PM it free and you can fish as late as you want.
In the last 2 years I fished Ormond Beach and Ormond By the Sea areas as they have road side parking which doesn’t close at sunset. However this year the beaches are flat and fishing only so-so. I’ve been driving nearly every night to Flagler and either fishing the pier or the surf from anywhere north of the pier. Again there is plenty of non-time-restricted road side parking.
Being that I live in Daytona Beach I’m looking for night time surf fishing spots south of me. But I’ve discovered that from the south end of New Smyra Beach (starting at the northern park of CNS) south clear til Sabastian inlet is closed at sunset! That is over 86 miles of beach closed at night.
Today I was checking all the Brevard County Parks and ALL have signs “Park Closes at Sunset”. The only roadside parking available is just south of Sabastian and that is very limited.
To make matters worse I drive down to Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood and North Miami areas. Again, NO PARKING after Sunset signs litter the beach side parking areas. Another 13+ miles of beach parking closed to night time activities.
I guess my question is this why is Florida so much against anyone on the beaches at night while other states allow it? Also, where can you surf fish at night south of Daytona Beach?
George