Whiting live in the surf zone in 4-8 feet of water just outside the breaker line. The 904 beaches from Amelia south through St. Johns County all hold them, plus the inlet jetty bases on the ocean side. They feed on small crabs, sand fleas, and cut bait drifting in the wash.
Silver-bodied fish with a slightly darker back, small underslung mouth designed for bottom-feeding. Two species in NE FL — Gulf and Southern kingfish, both locally called 'whiting.' No minimum size in Florida, no bag limit. Most are 8-14 inches; a 16-incher is a big one. Excellent table fish.
Year-round in NE FL with consistent action in fall and winter (October-March) when other surf species have moved out. Spring and summer they're around but harder to target with everything else biting. The cold-month surf bite when nothing else is happening is what makes whiting an underrated NE FL species.
High-low surf rig with two 1/0 hooks, a 2-3 oz pyramid sinker, fresh shrimp or sand fleas. Cast just past the first sandbar in 4-6 feet of water. Whiting bite fast and hard — sharp tap-tap-tap on the rod tip. Reel up steadily; they don't fight much but they're consistent. Easy entry-level surf species, great for kids.
Florida fishing regulations change. Always confirm slot, bag limits, and seasons on the official source before you keep anything. See our Licenses & Regulations page or go straight to MyFWC.com.