Robert K. Rees Memorial Park, often called Green Key, is a small coastal park near New Port Richey. The beach and boardwalk attract people who are not fishing. Treat a visit as an access check first, then a short inshore session only where current signs permit it.
Featured image: Coastal view at Green Key near New Port Richey, also known for Robert K. Rees Memorial Park. Photograph dated 2015. Current access may differ. Credit: Darrin. CC BY-SA 2.0. Image source. Resized and converted to WebP.
Do not turn the nature boardwalk into a fishing pier
Use the public entrance at the end of Green Key Road and inspect the posted rules. A boardwalk designed for viewing wildlife is not automatically a casting platform. Confirm the specific fishing area and keep hooks out of the swimming zone.
Park conditions can change after storms. If a route is roped off or a platform is closed, stay behind the barrier. Keep emergency and maintenance access clear when parking, and do not use surrounding private shoreline as a substitute.
Work a reachable sand or grass edge
The surrounding shallow habitat suits redfish and trout tactics. Begin with a small paddletail or shrimp under a float in a permitted area. Watch for bait movement and a change in bottom rather than casting repeatedly across featureless shallows.
Keep the lure above grass. If it returns with weeds each time, lighten the jig head or change to a weedless hook. A float depth that worked on another beach may be too deep here. Adjust it until the bait moves freely.
Keep the tackle bag small
A 7-foot medium rod, 2500-3000 reel, 10-15 lb braid and 20 lb leader suit gentle inshore water. Carry spare leader, small hooks and a few light jig heads. Avoid bringing multiple surf rods that force other visitors to walk around your setup.
Use pliers for quick unhooking and wet hands when handling a fish. Keep line off the path and pack out every clipping. Birds using a small park can encounter the same discarded line long after an angler leaves.
Stop when the accessible water stops working
Low tide may leave too little water near a safe bank. That is a reason to return later, not wade through unfamiliar mud. Anclote River Park offers a different access arrangement nearby, but check its fishing area and boat traffic rather than assuming it is always the easier option.
A compact packing list
| Pack | Starting choice |
|---|---|
| Rod and reel | 7-foot medium spinning rod; 2500-3000 reel |
| Main line / leader | 10-15 lb braid; 20-25 lb leader |
| First presentation | Shrimp under a float or small paddletail |
| Bottom contact | Keep bait and lures above grass and shell |
Fish to recognize
These references help identify possible targets in the habitats discussed above. They do not document catches at this beach or guarantee that a fish is present on your visit.
Plan another nearby fishing stop
- Anclote River Park Fishing: Keep Clear of the Ramp
- Hudson Beach Fishing: Small Baits and Access Checks
- Fred Howard Park Fishing: Causeway and Beach Choices
Access research checked September 24, 2026, using Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Recheck closures and posted rules before traveling. Confirm your fishing license and current species-specific harvest rules with FWC before keeping fish.