Brevard County, FL · Atlantic Ocean
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach offers public shoreline and pier access on the Atlantic coast in Brevard County. Common targets include common snook, tarpon, red drum, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, summer flounder, and bluefish.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Tarpon — Tarpon is catch-and-release only today.
Best conditions of 7 species tracked at Cocoa Beach.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:03 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 11:55 AM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 5:46 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
Species at Cocoa Beach
7 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Tarpon Tarpon is catch-and-release only today. Catch & release 100/100
Tarpon may not be kept today, but targeting and releasing is legal under current regulations. See method restrictions below.
What's helping
- 82°F water — right in tarpon's ideal range
- incoming tide — tarpon prefers incoming tide
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Megalops atlanticus — The Silver King — a 100-plus-pound migratory gamefish prized for spectacular leaping fights. A near-pure catch-and-release fishery in Florida; famous runs include Boca Grande Pass and the Keys bridges. Feeds hard around moving tides and the new and full moons.
Prefers. Water 74–90°F (ideal 80°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 0
Catch-and-release only. A $50 tarpon tag is required only to possess a fish for an IGFA record attempt; tarpon over 40" may not be removed from the water.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Red Drum Drop everything — ideal day for Red Drum. In season 88/100
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside red drum's active range
- incoming tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 27"
- Daily creel
- 1
18–27" slot, 1/person/day (vessel limits vary by region; catch-and-release only in the Indian River Lagoon). Harvest prohibited in federal waters.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Spotted Seatrout Drop everything — ideal day for Spotted Seatrout. In season 88/100
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside spotted seatrout's active range
- incoming tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Max size
- 19"
- Daily creel
- 3
15–19" slot (one fish over 19" per vessel allowed); bag is 2–5/day depending on FWC management zone, with seasonal closures in some zones. Confirm your zone.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Common Snook Common Snook harvest is closed today. Out of season 72/100
Common Snook is outside any documented open harvest period at this location. Check the state agency before fishing.
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside common snook's active range
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — common snook prefers outgoing tide
About. Centropomus undecimalis — Florida's premier inshore gamefish — an ambush predator that stacks up around passes, bridges, docks, and mangrove edges, especially on a moving tide. Extremely cold-sensitive; hard freezes cause snook kills. Explosive strikes on live bait, jigs, and topwater.
Prefers. Water 68–88°F (ideal 78°F) · outgoing tide · depth 2–20 ft.
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 32"
- Daily creel
- 1
Atlantic: 28–32" slot, 1/day, snook permit required. Harvest open Feb 1–May 31 and Sep 1–Dec 14; catch-and-release the rest of the year.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Sheepshead Great day to fish for Sheepshead. In season 72/100
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside sheepshead's active range
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — sheepshead prefers slack tide
About. Archosargus probatocephalus — Structure-oriented crustacean eater with famously human-like teeth. VA piers, jetties, and the rocks and pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are the classic targets. Fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or small pieces of shrimp on a knocker rig right against the structure. Expect to lose tackle.
Prefers. Water 60–82°F (ideal 72°F) · slack tide · depth 5–40 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 8
12" minimum, 8/person/day (50-per-vessel limit in March–April).
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#6 Bluefish Marginal conditions for Bluefish. In season 52/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 82°F water — above bluefish's active range (60–80°f) — fish move deep
About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.
Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 3
12" fork-length minimum, 3/person/day on the Atlantic coast.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#7 Summer Flounder Marginal conditions for Summer Flounder. In season 36/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 82°F water — above summer flounder's active range (58–75°f) — fish move deep
- incoming tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.
Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 5
Florida flounder: 14" minimum, 5/person/day. Closed Oct 15–Nov 30.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Atlantic Ocean
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Florida
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Cocoa Beach: Florida FWC fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Cocoa Beach?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Cocoa Beach you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Cocoa Beach?
Cocoa Beach is listed on this site for 7 commonly-targeted species: Common Snook, Tarpon, Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, and 3 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Cocoa Beach?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Cocoa Beach against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Cocoa Beach have?
Cocoa Beach has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Cocoa Beach?
state agency regulations apply at Cocoa Beach. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Cocoa Beach tidal water?
Yes. Cocoa Beach sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.