Florida Keys bridge fishing is one of the best ways to experience the Sunshine State. Just take a drive down the 113 miles of the Overseas Highway and you’ll see why. There are 42 bridges connecting the Keys and countless fish beneath them. This imposing stretch of concrete runs from Key Largo in the north to the Hemingway Museum in Key West and offers stellar fishing year-round.
You will find excellent Tarpon fishing, a healthy stock of Snook, and countless opportunities to land Yellowtail Snapper, Porgy, and Yellow Jack here. It takes a lifetime to explore all the nooks and crannies below each bridge pylon, but it certainly is rewarding.
Florida Keys Bridge Fishing Map
Before we get to the fun part, here’s a quick overview of the top fishing bridges in the Keys.
There are obviously plenty of other bridges you can explore in the area. The ones we’re going to mention, however, have proven to be especially productive over the years.
The key – mind the pun – is to fish different spots to make the most out of your day. If the bite is slow, don’t waste too much time and move to the next bridge. You won’t be running out of them any time soon.
Florida Keys Bridges: Top Fishing Spots
Once you move past Key Largo and head south, you will see fellow anglers dropping the bait straight from the bridges, or drifting their boats near pylons looking to spot a migrating Tarpon.
Sometimes you could be fishing on your own for hours, with only a glance from a curious passerby. Other days, there’ll be a line of anglers pushing aluminum carts with their gear towards their favorite fishing spot, hoping to catch some delicious fish and turn it into lunch.
Here is a list of places you should check out first to make the most out of your Florida Keys excursion.
1. Channel #2 and Channel #5 Bridges
Lying near Mile Marker 73, Channel #2 Bridge has a convenient fishing platform where you can place your gear as you get to work. Mangrove Snapper and Gag Grouper roam these waters, and you can get them using live bait such as shrimp. Pair those with circle hooks and voila!
Barracuda fishing is great here, but you’ll need to be in shape to get those brutes out of the water. Yellowtail Snapper are also a popular catch and they bite well during the day. Look for the shadows as the fish will seek shelter from the heat there. For the best chance to get Tarpon or Yellowtail Snapper, go out when the tide is transitioning.
Use a chum bag and throw some chum into the water to attract the fish and improve your chances. One thing to have in mind here is that it can get pretty crowded, so try to arrive early in the morning to claim your spot.
Channel #5 is another praised location that attracts anglers from afar. This bridge has made it to the list of top fishing spots around the Florida Keys thanks to abundant Jacks, Tarpon, and rich wildlife. A good thing about this bridge is that you can get to the water level and work the shadows beneath the bridge. This is also a good spot to get live bait for your outing. Make sure to check out the tides or team up with a local captain to get you to the honey holes.
2. Tom’s Harbor Cut Bridge
At Mile Marker 63, you will find another famed place among local anglers. This fishing bridge has a good offering of Permit and Bonefish, but also lots of Mangrove Snapper. You can use shrimp to get the job done, or some pinfish, especially if you want to snatch lunkers (big fish) from the water. A good thing about using pinfish is that they will keep smaller pesky fish away from stealing your bait.
Before you pack, check the tides – you will find a consistent bite from late afternoon onwards. The bridge is also convenient for anglers with kids as they can fish for Blue Runners and Mackerel. These fish are easy and fun to catch and can serve as excellent baitfish too. There are also restroom facilities near the bridge.
3. Seven Mile Bridge
Perhaps the best-known bridge around the Keys, Seven Mile Bridge will let you fish like a boss. There are Schoolmaster, Mangrove, and Yellowtail Snapper in abundance, but there are also numerous charters from Marathon going after them. The bridge has a good water level and plenty of space so you won’t feel crowded. Prepare shrimp if you want Schoolmasters, and pack cut ballyhoo for Mangrove Snapper.
4. Bahia Honda Bridge
If you want to get Tarpon, this is the place to be. “Silver King” go past and around these bridges. It’s not uncommon to get 130 lb Tarpon here. What’s also good is that you can catch them in broad daylight. When it’s windy, you may get a rough ride despite the channel being narrow. But if you persevere, you may be landing Hammerhead, Bull, and Tiger Shark in addition to Tarpon. It’s a nice feat for anglers with some experience, but don’t miss out on schools of Mangrove and Yellowtail Snapper swimming around.
5. No Name Key Bridge
Combine a meditative walk with a good fishing spot, and head to the bridge between No Name Key and Big Pine Key. You can get Snapper and Grouper here, as well as Snook. Mangrove Snapper are a good choice, and on a good day, you can fill your cooler quite quickly. You can fish from the bridge, or take a ride and explore the fishing opportunities near the water level. Rig some shrimp on your hook and watch as Snapper devour it, or chase Tarpon near the base of the bridge.
6. Sugarloaf Key Channels
When you come to the beautiful Sugarloaf Key, you will have access to great fishing. Have in mind that some of these places are only accessible by boat or kayak. As a rule of thumb, look for walk-downs near the bridges and open space in the middle of mangroves where you can easily get down to the water level and wet the line. Again, there is a good source of live bait in these waters, so make sure to use the opportunity.
Jack Crevalle is a prominent figure around here and he puts up an incredible fight. You can winch up Mangrove and Yellowtail Snapper when fishing from the bridges, but if you hop on a boat, you’ll be in Tarpon paradise. Before you head out, make sure to ask in local tackle shops whether the bridge is open for the public as construction works may change availability.
7. Boca Chica Channel Bridge
Anglers looking for a nighttime outing will find a solid Tarpon bite here. Good current flow, deep water cuts where you can drop the line, and a rich selection of live bait to snatch up all make this fishery a must-visit before you finally arrive in Key West. You can make more progress if fishing below the bridge, near the water level where Tarpon swim in the shadows waiting for a quick bite. It’s a perfect trip for anglers looking to spend a couple of hours on the water.
Gear to use when fishing Florida Keys Bridges
When it comes to conquering the Florida Keys bridges, either fish directly from the bridge or drift near the bridge on a boat. The best part of it is that you don’t have to be a long-time angler to be successful. But if you’re coming to the Keys for the first time, there are a couple of things you should know.
Most of the time, anglers bring along chum bags just to get the fish going before they sink the bait. You can use menhaden and either drop it down in a chum bag, or just toss it straight into the water. Let it do its business and then rig your hook.
There are several popular live bait options here, including shrimp, squid, pilchards, and pinfish. If you want variety, you can use shrimp as it attracts all sorts of fish. You might get bored after a while by really small critters pecking away at your bait, though. To get bigger fish, use pinfish, as they are difficult to take off the hook and you have a better chance of the bait staying on.
Fishing from a bridge is tricky because the fish can run for the nearby rocks or mangroves and cut your line. If you want more flexibility, use a monofilament line. On the other hand, a braided line lets you cast farther.
If you want to explore the bridge fishing opportunities from a charter, you will have a different view of affairs. You will have more flexibility to reach deeper cuts in the channel where big Jacks, Tarpon, and Snook hide.
Florida Keys Bridges: Tides
Knowing the tides is important if you want to get the fish around these bridges. Tide times can vary depending on the bridge you are fishing from, so it’s safest to check real-time data on currents and tides for the selected dates. These tables are usually available for the week ahead, but you should check a day or two before getting out.
When fishing around the Keys bridges, you should look for times when the tide is transitioning from its lowest to its highest point and vice versa. The current will bring the baitfish to the bigger fish that you’re targeting.
The website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a reliable place to look for data on tide changes. Check out the data on each of the bridges below.
- Channel #2 Bridge
- Channel #5 Bridge
- Tom’s Harbor Cut Bridge
- Seven Mile Bridge
- Bahia Honda Bridge
- No Name Key Bridge
- Sugarloaf Key Channels
- Boca Chica Channel Bridge
Top Species to Catch around Florida Keys Bridges
Just as the Keys’ popularity among vacation goers doesn’t wear off, neither does its fishing season. Early days of the year can get you Snapper literally just inches from the bridge, while the first warm days of March signal the highly anticipated Tarpon season that lasts well into fall. Snook is by and large in the water year-round, and the summer also entices multiple kinds of Sharks.
Here are the hot shots you can land near the Keys bridges:
- Jack Crevalle
- Mangrove Snapper
- Yellowtail Snapper
- Black Grouper
- Tarpon
- Snook
- Hogfish
- Hammerhead Shark
Bridge Hopping: Things to Know
- You will need a saltwater fishing license when fishing on your own. When fishing from a charter, the licenses are included.
- Make sure to follow the legal limits and size. They are subject to change, so best check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules.
- Pack fishing gear. If going on a charter, consult this guide on what to bring on your fishing trip.
- Mind the traffic. There might be a lot of traffic – especially in the summertime – please make sure to stay safe.
So, there you have it. Now that you know what the best Florida Keys bridge fishing spots are, there’s nothing to stop you from reeling in that monster fish!
What are your favorite Florida Keys fishing bridges? Are there some you think we might have missed? Let us know in the comments below.
