The bridges may be your best option for targeting larger fish if you don’t have the option of fishing from a boat or pier. Some of the bridges can offer some excellent fishing for a variety of fish. Some of the popular fish that are targeted near bridges are snook, redfish, snapper, grouper, jack crevalle and sheepshead.
Best Time to Fish the Bridges
Just like the piers, the best bite usually occurs during lowlight conditions on the bridges. Early morning, late evening and at night will provide some of the best fishing, especially if these times coincide with a tidal change. The tides will will definitely have an effect on the fishing. The current of an incoming or outgoing tide will usually bring in some feeding fish around the bridges.
Recommended Tackle for Fishing the Bridges
Just like fishing from the piers, the depth and current around the bridge will dictate what type of tackle you should be using. Weights as light as 3/8 of an ounce to a 1/2 ounce may be heavy enough to keep your bait on or near the bottom during a slack tide, but you may need weights in the 1 to 3 ounce range during a tidal change. The current of an incoming or outgoing tide can be similar to fishing in a river.
The type of fish you are fishing for will also dictate what type of tackle you will need. Fishing line in the 10 to 12 pound test range will usually do the job for whiting, sheepshead, pompano and other fish that are caught in the 1 to 3 pound range. A medium to medium-heavy action fishing rod should be fine if you are targeting these smaller fish.
When fishing for bigger fish such as bluefish, redfish, snook, grouper and other big fish off of the piers, you may want to use line in the 20 to 30 pound test range. Heavier line may be required for toothy critters such as barracuda and shark. Heavy action fishing rods are the way to go if you are targeting bigger fish. You may also want to get a pier fishing net. These nets are essential for landing bigger fish off of the bridges.
Live Baits for Bridge Fishing
- Live and Dead Shrimp
- Sand Fleas
- Squid
- Pinfish
- Sand Perch
- Bull Minnows
- Blue Runner
- Cut Bait
Popular Fish Caught from the Bridges
- Barracuda
- Black Drum
- Bluefish
- Flounder
- Jack Crevalle
- Pompano
- Redfish
- Sea Trout
- Sharks
- Sheepshead
- Spanish Mackerel
- Snook
- Striped Bass
- Whiting
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