SHRIMPING IN VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
Oak Hill, Florida is affectionately referred to as the “Shrimping Capital” of the East Coast. The popular channel markers South of the Riverbreeze ramp are CM 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9a, 9 & 10.
Don’t like to navigate at night after launching from Riverbreeze park? ? Go 500 yards South of the ramp and anchor up in front of the seawall and “White House” that is actually peach in color as of 2013. A. There is an “eddy” that t-bones into the intercoastal water way and your sitting right in the benefits of where these two bodies of water intersect. The closest marker to this house is a green blinking 75, the next marker South is a red CM “2”.
We have no idea why the numbering starts over. Red on your right means your going South away from Ponce Inlet, the green on your right means your heading North towards Ponce Inlet.
North of CM 2 is popular because of a long sand bar that extends out narrowing the channel. There are no real land marks, you can cruise the width and note the changes on sonar. There are maps online at
Popular channel markers are CM 4 and South. Channel marker 4 -5 is a nice narrow area to set anchor mid channel.
You gain an extra hour of tide when your South of Lopez (Cm7-8). If you do not want to motor 1.5 miles you can launch at Lopez for $5, small ramp not maintained with holes under water line. Boats larger than 17 foot risk scraping trailer on descent.
In Edgewater the popular channel markers are CM 64-68, 71-73. Many people anchor right at the Edgewater boat ramp or a little North of the ramp. The tide changes 3 hours later at the Edgewater ramp area. If you continue South another 4 miles to CM 65, the tide changes 4.5 hours later based on Ponce Inlet tides.
Some people dip in Edgewater, pull their boat out, tow to Riverbreeze ramp and dip another 3 hours in Oak Hill [tide difference is 6 hours from Ponce, tide is later]. Playing with tide times can help you reach a limit.
NON-BOATER?
New Smyrna South Causeway pier is a popular destination for those who love to shrimp but do not own a boat. This pier requires a handle length of 18 ft. You will need to be able to extend the length of your dip net.
