Pole Dancer Fishin' Charters

Daytona Beach Fishing Report: Wind, Falling Water Temps & Strong King Tides!

2026-10-26

If you’ve been watching the weather lately, you know we’ve been dealing with some absolutely crazy windy conditions around Daytona Beach, and it looks like we’ve still got more wind on the way! These conditions have made getting out on the water a challenge, but with every major weather change comes a shift in the fishing, and there are some important things to pay attention to right now.

One of the biggest changes has been the water temperature, which has dropped nearly 10 degrees into the low 70s! That’s a significant change in a short period of time, and it’s definitely going to have an impact on fish behavior throughout the Intracoastal Waterway, the river, and around Ponce Inlet.

On top of the temperature drop, we’re also dealing with king tides, creating some extremely strong tidal flows. When you combine these powerful currents with the recent wind and cooler water, it makes for some challenging fishing conditions. Finding areas with good current breaks, protected shorelines, creek mouths, and points where bait gets pushed around can be especially important right now.

The cooler water temperatures should also help get fish moving into their fall patterns. As the water cools and bait continues to move through the system, redfish, snook, flounder, and other inshore predators will be adjusting to the changing conditions. Look for fish to position themselves around areas where strong currents funnel bait, while using deeper holes, docks, and protected areas when conditions get rough.

With the wind continuing to blow, choosing the right location and tide will be critical. Fishing the more protected stretches of the river and Intracoastal may be the best option on the windiest days. Around the inlet, those strong tidal movements can create excellent feeding opportunities, but anglers need to be extra cautious and pick their windows carefully.

The bottom line: We’re seeing a major seasonal change take place, with water temperatures dropping into the low 70s, king tides ripping through the area, and plenty of wind still in the forecast. It may not be the easiest time to fish, but these changing conditions are setting the stage for some exciting fall inshore action here in Daytona Beach!

As always, keep an eye on the weather, pay attention to the tides, and pick your days wisely. Stay safe out there, and hopefully we’ll get a break from this wind soon!

Pole Dancer Fishin’ Charters
Capt. Jeff Patterson
https://www.smallboatbigfish.com/

Daytona Beach Fishing Report: The Biggest Mullet Run I’ve Ever Seen!

2026-10-14

If you thought you’d seen a good mullet run before, think again! We’re seeing more mullet than I’ve ever seen during the mullet run, and the inshore waters around Daytona Beach are absolutely loaded with bait. Everywhere you look, massive schools of mullet are moving through the Intracoastal Waterway, and the predators are taking full advantage of the buffet!

One of the best patterns right now has been fishing the outgoing tide. As the water drains out of the creeks throughout the Intracoastal, mullet are pouring out in huge numbers, creating an easy feeding opportunity for hungry predators. Snook, redfish, jacks, bluefish, and plenty of other species are staging just outside creek mouths and around nearby points, waiting to ambush bait as it gets swept into open water.

The action has been incredible, with fish busting bait on the surface and explosions happening all around these areas. When you find a creek dumping mullet on an outgoing tide, it’s worth slowing down and spending some time there. Watch for nervous bait, surface commotion, and birds working overhead. These are all signs that predators are close by and ready to eat!

With so much natural bait in the water, live mullet have been the bait of choice. Whether you’re targeting snook around creek mouths, redfish cruising the points, or jacks and bluefish tearing through schools of bait, matching the hatch with a live mullet is tough to beat. Keep an eye out for opportunities to cast into feeding fish, and don’t be afraid to move around until you find the biggest concentrations of bait and predators.

This is what the fall mullet run is all about! The sheer amount of bait moving through the area has created some incredible opportunities for inshore anglers, and the best part is that you never know what might explode on your bait next.

If you’ve been waiting for that classic fall fishing action, now is the time to get out there, follow the mullet, and take advantage of one of the most exciting times of the year to fish Daytona Beach!

Tight lines, and we’ll see you on the water!

Mullet Run in Full Effect!

2026-09-23

The fall mullet run is officially in full effect, and the fishing around the inlet and inshore waters has been nothing short of incredible. There is bait everywhere, and at times the action looks straight out of a National Geographic feeding frenzy.

Huge schools of mullet are pushing through the area, and the predators are taking full advantage. Tarpon, jacks, snook, and sharks are crashing into the bait, creating some unbelievable surface action. When the bait gets pushed up against the beach, around the inlet, or into the river, the water can literally come alive.

One of the biggest highlights right now has been the huge schools of redfish. Large numbers of reds are schooling up and feeding aggressively around the abundant bait. Finding a school pushing through the inlet can make for some incredible sight-fishing opportunities, especially during the moving tide.

With this much bait in the system, the next few weeks should continue to produce some of the most exciting inshore fishing of the year. Whether you’re targeting schooling redfish, chasing tarpon, or just looking to experience one of these wild feeding frenzies, the best inshore fishing of the year is going on right now!

Redfish Schooling Up as the Mullet Run Gets Underway

2026-08-27

The beginning of the mullet run is here, and the inshore fishing around the Daytona Beach and Ponce Inlet area is starting to come alive. One of the most exciting things we’re seeing right now is large schools of redfish moving and feeding around the bait.

As schools of mullet push through the river, backwaters, and inlet, the redfish are taking full advantage. Finding nervous bait, mullet showering out of the water, or birds working over bait is a great indication that predators aren’t far away. Local reports are also showing strong redfish numbers throughout the area as the seasonal bait migration gets underway.

We’ve been seeing schools of reds moving together, and when you get on the right school, the action can be nonstop. These fish are aggressive right now, especially when the tide is moving and the mullet are being pushed into areas where the redfish can trap them.

Live finger mullet is hard to beat, but artificial anglers can also get in on the action with gold spoons, paddletails, and topwater plugs. The key is to find the bait first. Once you locate the mullet, keep an eye out for wakes, nervous water, and schools of redfish cruising just beneath the surface.

This is one of my favorite times of year to be on the water. The mullet run is only getting started, and as more bait pours through the system, we should see even more redfish, snook, tarpon, jacks, and other predators showing up to feed.

If you’ve been waiting for that fall fishing frenzy, it’s time to get on the water. The mullet are moving, the redfish are schooling, and the best part of the season is just getting started.

Pole Dancer Fishin’ Charters
Capt. Jeff Patterson
https://www.smallboatbigfish.com/

The Bait Is Here — Get Ready for the Best Inshore Fishing of the Year

2026-08-17

The inshore fishing around Daytona Beach is really starting to come alive, and the biggest story right now is BAIT! Tons of baitfish are moving into the area, with some of the biggest concentrations showing up along the beaches and around the inlet. This is exactly what we want to see as we head toward the late-summer and fall transition.

The beaches are loaded with life, and where there’s bait, the predators won’t be far behind. Tarpon, snook, redfish, jacks and sharks are all key targets when these bait schools gather around the surf, inlet and current lines. Local reports are also showing strong inshore action around Daytona, New Smyrna and Mosquito Lagoon.

Get the rods ready—the best fishing of the year is coming!

Daytona Beach Fishing Report: The Fall Mullet Run Is Almost Here!

2026-08-03

The signs of fall are already showing up along the Daytona Beach coastline, and the annual mullet run is right around the corner. Schools of bait are stacking up throughout the Intracoastal Waterway, filling the creeks, shorelines, and docks, while even larger pods of bait are gathering just off the beach. The food chain is coming alive, and the action is only going to get better over the next several weeks.

One thing that’s impossible to ignore right now is the incredible number of sharks. From the beaches to the inlet, sharks are everywhere, cruising through massive schools of bait and feeding aggressively throughout the day. If you’re fishing live mullet or other large baits, don’t be surprised if a big shark finds it before your target species does. Their presence is one of the clearest signs that the fall migration is beginning to build.

The inlet is already showing plenty of life, with predators moving in to take advantage of the abundance of bait. As the mullet schools continue to grow, expect the fishing to heat up for tarpon, redfish, snook, jacks, and flounder. Every incoming tide is bringing more bait into the system, and the excitement is building with each passing day.

Now is the perfect time to get on the water. Whether you’re fishing the beaches, the inlet, or the backwaters of the Intracoastal, the next few weeks promise some of the most action-packed fishing of the year. The fall mullet run is almost here—and judging by the amount of bait and sharks already around, it’s shaping up to be an outstanding season.

Pole Dancer Fishin’ Charters
Capt. Jeff Patterson
https://www.smallboatbigfish.com/

Summer Flounder Fishing Has Been Outstanding in the Halifax River & Ponce Inlet

2026-07-22

If you've been looking for one of the hottest bites of the summer, flounder fishing has been hard to beat. Anglers fishing throughout the Halifax River and around Ponce Inlet have been enjoying some of the best action we've seen in recent years.

The flounder are spread out from the deeper channel edges and docks in the river to the sandy drop-offs, creek mouths, and rock piles around the inlet. Live finger mullet, mud minnows, and small live shrimp have all been producing, while soft plastics and bucktail jigs tipped with natural bait have also been putting plenty of fish in the boat.

Moving water has been the key. Fishing the last half of the outgoing tide and the beginning of the incoming tide has consistently produced the best bite, especially around ambush points where flounder wait for baitfish to wash by.

The inlet has also been alive with bait, attracting not only flounder but plenty of redfish, snook, and tarpon, making every trip exciting. It's not uncommon to hook into multiple species while targeting flounder this time of year.

With warm water temperatures and an abundance of bait throughout the system, there's no sign of the action slowing down anytime soon. Whether you're an experienced angler or introducing someone to inshore fishing, now is an excellent time to get on the water. The summer flounder bite is as good as it gets, and the Halifax River and Ponce Inlet continue to provide some outstanding fishing opportunities.

Book your trip now while the action is at its peak, and come experience one of the best inshore bites of the season!

Ponce Inlet Bite is Hot!

2026-07-10

The inlet has really turned on for redfish, snook, and tarpon and the water has been gorgeous especially closer to high tide. I had a client say the water looked prettier than when he was just recently in the Bahamas. I wish it was like this year round myself. Water temps have been pushing the mid 80s and there’s been a plethora of bait from mullet of all sizes to threadfins and I’ve even been seeing a ton of blue crabs coming out of the river on outgoing tide. It’s pretty sweet watching 30-40” redfish sucking down a big blue crab on the surface. That outgoing tide has been best for me too. There’s been some snook in that same size range 30-40” we’ve been getting them on bigger live mullet and croakers. The tarpon have been stacked up some days and I’ve actually found them bunching up more later into the incoming tide. I’ve also heard reports of them finding the blue crabs on the surface at times as well. There’s quite a variety of other species you’ll find around the inlet over the next few weeks including flounder, pompano, mangrove snapper, and even some permit. Awesome fishing going on this time of year, and several different options depending on what you’re trying to get into!

Pole Dancer Fishin’ Charters
Capt. Jeff Patterson
https://www.smallboatbigfish.com/

Flounder on Fire at the Inlet!

2026-06-30

If you've been waiting for the flounder bite to turn on, now is the time to hit the water! The area around the Daytona Beach inlet is producing some of the best flounder action we've seen in weeks. Anglers fishing live finger mullet, mud minnows, or soft plastics along the rocks, channel edges, and sandy drop-offs are putting together impressive catches. As the tides move, the bite has been especially strong, with quality fish coming from both the inlet and nearby docks and creek mouths.

The tarpon action has also been nothing short of incredible. Large schools continue to cruise the beaches and stage around the inlet, giving anglers plenty of opportunities to hook into the fish of a lifetime. Live mullet, pogies, and large swimbaits have all been producing explosive strikes. Early mornings and the last few hours of daylight have been especially productive, but fish are showing throughout the day when bait is concentrated.

Redfish have been thick around the jetties, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars. Slot-sized reds are feeding aggressively on live shrimp, finger mullet, and cut bait, while artificial lures have been fooling plenty of fish during moving water. Many anglers are finding mixed schools of redfish and flounder, making every stop a potential double-header.

With plenty of bait in the area and warm summer conditions, the fishing has been as good as it gets. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with flounder, battle a silver king, or chase hard-fighting redfish, now is the perfect time to get on the water. Don't miss out - the bite is hot, and conditions are lining up for another outstanding week of fishing around the inlet!

Pole Dancer Fishin’ Charters
Capt. Jeff Patterson
https://www.smallboatbigfish.com/

Daytona Beach Tarpon Fishing Report: The Silver Kings Are Putting on a Show!

2026-06-22

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to chase tarpon along the Daytona Beach coastline, that time is now.The beaches and inlet areas are absolutely loaded with life, and the tarpon bite has been nothing short of spectacular. Huge schools of bait are stacked up along the beach, creating a feeding frenzy that has attracted hungry silver kings from Ponce Inlet all the way down the beachfront. Anglers are reporting multiple hookups, aerial displays, and fish well over the 100-pound mark. What makes the action so exciting right now is the amount of bait in the area. Massive schools of mullet, pogies, and other forage species are moving through the surf zone, and the tarpon are right behind them. When the bait gets nervous, keep your eyes open—you’ll often see tarpon rolling, free-jumping, and blasting through bait schools just off the beach. Finding the bait has been the key to finding the fish. Similar bait-driven feeding frenzies are known to attract tarpon, sharks, snook, and other predators along Florida’s coast.

Early mornings have been especially productive, with fish cruising the beach in manageable groups before the afternoon boat traffic increases. Anglers slow-trolling live bait, drifting pogies, or casting large swimbaits and soft plastics into active schools have all been finding success. Fly anglers have also enjoyed excellent opportunities when fish are rolling and feeding near the surface. Ponce Inlet continues to be one of the top locations to target tarpon, especially around tide changes. Incoming water has been bringing fresh bait into the area, and the tarpon are taking full advantage. Several local captains have described the current action as feeling more like the fall mullet run than early summer, thanks to the abundance of bait and nonstop predator activity. The biggest challenge right now isn’t finding tarpon—it’s getting them to the boat. Many anglers are experiencing multiple jumps and blistering runs before the fish finally throw the hook. That’s tarpon fishing at its finest. Expect spectacular aerial displays, screaming drags, and memories that last a lifetime. If conditions remain stable and the bait stays concentrated along the beach, the outstanding tarpon fishing should continue for weeks to come. So grab the heavy spinning gear, stock up on leader material, and get ready. Daytona Beach is delivering some of the best tarpon action we’ve seen in quite some time, and the Silver Kings are putting on a show every day. Tight lines and see you on the water!