Skip to main content

The Monster Under the Bridge: Structure Fishing Florida’s Bridges for Monster Catches

 There is one thing we know for sure about the authors of any fables who insist we should stay away from monsters hiding under bridges—they definitely weren’t from Florida. Florida’s saltwater bridge pilings provide cover that accumulates barnacles and draws baitfish. In turn, they attract the monsters—massive lunkers from a variety of species that will give the most veteran angler a rod-bowing, heart-pounding fight. The trick to fighting the monsters beneath Florida’s bridges is having the right tackle and bait, the right fishing apparel, and the right plan.

Fishing Apparel
 

Bring the Gear

Fishing bridges provide two distinct benefits that draw thousands of boats and anglers a year—they offer a stellar opportunity to target one species, but a surprise catch is never off the table. Each angler should decide whether they’re going to bring the bait and tackle for something specific, like sheepshead, or are they just going to drop a line and see what bites. If you’re an angler who has decided on the latter, bring heavy tackle—an 8 or 9-foot rod and at least 30 or 50-pound test. They get big down there.

Dress the Part

Being Florida, the weather varies from beautiful days and UV rays to whipping wind with stinging rain. Your best bet is to dress for both. Pick up some professional-grade performance fishing gear made from high-tech, moisture-wicking polyester and invest in long sleeve fishing gear for better coverage. That high-performance polyester is lightweight and breathable enough to keep you cool and comfortable while covered. Pack rain gear just in case, wear a hat and a good pair of polarized shades—and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Take the Bait… and the Lures

With so many species populating the water at those bridge pilings, both live or frozen bait and lures can land you a monster. Popular bait choices include pinfish, croaker, live or dead shrimp, chunks of ladyfish, finger mullet, and crabs, both whole and in sections. Be sure to fish with the current if you go with artificial lures. For drawing the monsters, consider dropping a crab, pinfish, or chunk of ladyfish to the bottom and wait for the line to start smoking out.

Watch the Structures

The monsters living beneath these bridges may indeed take a toll from you—your hook or lure, weights, and a section of line. They are notorious for doing so by beelining for those pilings and wrapping you up. Once you’ve got a set hook, steer your monsters away from cover as quickly as possible.

Prepare for Anything

Finally, prepare for anything to hit. Casting for the more modestly sized sheepshead doesn’t guarantee that your invitation won’t be accepted by juvenile goliath grouper topping 100 pounds, a lunker tarpon doing acrobatics or a shark that weighs at least as much as you do.

About Gillz®

As long as Kent Hickman can remember, he has loved fishing. As a Florida native, Kent grew up with no shortage of opportunities for world-class fishing, and he took full advantage of them from the beginning. Kent’s love of angling eventually inspired him to join the tournament circuit and fish professionally. However, Kent ran into an issue: professional anglers faced conditions that were often brutal and unforgiving, and he had no luck finding fishing apparel that stood up to the challenge. Anglers like him needed gear that kept them dry, cool, and comfortable; gear that protected them from the elements and the harmful rays of the harsh Florida sun. So, he rose himself to the challenge. In 2009 Kent founded Gillz® to provide anglers who loved the sport as much as he did with stylish, high-tech, high-performance fishing clothes, fishing masks, shirts for fishing, accessories, hats, and a good deal more high-quality fishing gear.

Experience the difference Gillz® gear can make for you, whether you’re chasing snook in the backcountry of the Keys or stalking tarpon at Boca Grande, at Gillz-gear.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Small Details That Can Make the Difference Between Getting Skunked and Landing a Trophy on the Water

It’s easy to forget the little details. Even experienced, professional anglers forget to bring everything they need or update their clothing every once in a while. It certainly makes sense to do research on your fishing territory, study seasonal feeding and spawning habits, and invest in specialized gear. As often as not, however, it’s the little details determining whether or not you’re getting fish in the boat. Never forget the basics. Sometimes that process is as simple as picking up a hook file and some performance fishing shirts . Performance Fishing Shirts Trade Out Your Line Many anglers put a lot of thought into the line they use. A lot of thought and time goes into deciding what pound test you should be using, whether to go with mono or braided, and whether to use a blue, green, or clear line. Switching out your line when it’s getting old is a step that’s easy to forget and overlook. That’s particularly true for anglers with a dozen different rigs in the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pitting Yourself Against the Supreme Gamefish Adversary: Winter Fishing for Florida Billfish

In Florida, winter delivers an opportunity that most of the country’s anglers experience only in daydreams. It opens the season for stalking the ultimate adversaries, the world’s most sought-after gamefish—the legendary sailfish and marlin. Billfish are legendary for a reason, and fishing for them is no joke. You’ll need to be prepared, so pick up some performance fishing shirts , do some stretches, take a deep breath, and strap in for the ultimate fishing experience. Performance Fishing Shirts Preparing Yourself for a True Angling Test Pitting yourself against billfish is a whole different animal than hitting the edges of weed beds for largemouth or pulling flounder from a pier. If spending 8 hours under the unrelenting Florida sun stalking a massive, powerful fish with a sword for a nose and fighting it to exhaustion sounds like a good time, you’re in the right mindset. The physical preparation should include having more food and water than you think you’ll need, sunscreen, and the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tips for Keeping Warm and Staying Cool While Fall Fishing

Despite the likelihood of more moderate temperatures, achieving and maintaining comfort when fall fishing can actually be tougher than it is at other times of the year. It’s easy to prepare for the extreme but reliable heat and cold of summer and winter. In the fall, however, you could be watching your breath and shivering in the morning, pouring sweat by noon, and soaked by a downpour (or even a snowstorm, depending on where you live) by the afternoon. While the conditions can be tricky, successfully gearing up for fall fishing is no problem with a little foresight. Access to a reliable thermos and quality fishing shirts doesn’t hurt either. Fishing Shirts Pack Temperature-Appropriate Clothing, Food, and Drink Wearing a breathable long sleeve fishing shirt and a performance hat or fishing mask is a vital step. Make sure the gear you choose is breathable and moisture wicking with sun protection. Antimicrobial and cooling technology are signs of a superior, quality...
Post a Comment
Read more