Whiting: season, lures and limits

Showing the fish for Northeast Florida, Jacksonville to Flagler.

Fishing region

Season in Northeast Florida

Peak months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec.

JFMAMJJASOND

FWC Where to Saltwater Fish: whiting year-round in all four counties. Jacksonville Beach Pier: whiting on fresh dead shrimp in the cooler months, fall through spring (Lacoss). (Our inference)

Season by region

Myrtle Beach	JFMAMJJASOND
Outer Banks	JFMAMJJASOND
Southern NC	JFMAMJJASOND
Charleston	JFMAMJJASOND
Georgia	JFMAMJJASOND
Northeast Florida	JFMAMJJASOND
Space Coast	JFMAMJJASOND
Upper Texas	JFMAMJJASOND

Where to find them

The first trough and holes close to the beach. You rarely need a long cast.

First trough, often only 20 to 40 yards out.

What to look for

A defined first trough with moving water; sandy bottom.

Bait

Fresh shrimp pieces, Bloodworms, Sand fleas, Fishbites (bloodworm or shrimp). Double-drop bottom rig, small circle hooks (#2 to 2/0), 2 to 3 oz sinker.

Leader

20 to 30 lb mono on the rig.

Common mistakes

Casting far past the fish
Hooks too big
Old, washed-out bait

Landing

Simple; reel it up the beach.

Handling

No special hazards.

Keep or release

Excellent eating. Florida rules apply; see the regulations file.

Recipes for whiting

Typical: 6 to 10 in, about 0.5 lb. Large: 14 to 16 in. SC record 2 lb 10 oz (1968).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

Florida FWC: Where to Saltwater Fish (species and seasons by county, Nassau to Monroe) (Official source)
Florida Sportsman (Terry Lacoss, March 2025): pier fishing Jacksonville (Jacksonville Beach Pier) (Angler knowledge)
SCDNR species profile: southern kingfish (whiting) (Official source)

All the fish of Northeast Florida

Whiting