Eau Gallie Causeway Fishing

Eau Gallie Causeway carries SR 518 across the Indian River Lagoon, and the county boat ramp on it has a 180-foot catwalk that is one of the handiest fishing spots in Melbourne.

• Seatrout, redfish and black drum around the bridge and nearby grass
• Snook and mangrove snapper on the pilings in summer
• Sheepshead in winter
• Free county parking on the causeway

The causeway links Eau Gallie Boulevard on the Melbourne mainland with the beach towns on the barrier island.

• The fishing catwalk runs along the south side of the main bridge at its east end; the county's boat ramp and its lot are a short drive east along the causeway
• Parking: the county lists free unpaved parking at the ramp for about 20 cars with trailers; there is also an unpaved pull-off at the foot of the bridge on the westbound side
• Hours: the county lists the ramp as open from dawn to dusk, Monday to Sunday
• The county site is a small boating area that is also a windsurfing launch, so share the shore
• Surface: a level catwalk

The lagoon here fishes best from fall through spring.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and redfish on the grass flats, black drum, the last sheepshead
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook and mangrove snapper around the pilings, jacks and ladyfish
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings snook, redfish, jacks and tarpon along the causeway
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum on the bridge, seatrout in deeper water near the channel

A medium spinning rod and a handful of rigs are enough.

• Seatrout: a popping cork with live shrimp, or a soft plastic worked along grass edges
• Redfish and black drum: shrimp or crab on a Carolina rig
• Snook: live mullet or pinfish close to the pilings at dawn and dusk, on a 30 to 40 lb leader
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp dropped beside the pilings
• Snapper: live shrimp on a light knocker rig

The lagoon here has little lunar tide, so wind drives the water movement.

• Fish the side where the wind is pushing water and bait against the causeway
• Calm mornings are best for seatrout and sight-fishing reds
• A strong wind makes the open lagoon choppy and muddy; the lee side stays fishable
• Winter cold fronts bring sheepshead and drum to the bridge
• Summer rain can drop salinity and slow the bite

A straightforward catwalk spot with a few hazards.

• Boat trailers use the ramp; keep clear of the launch lanes
• Summer lightning over the open water; leave early
• Windsurfers launch from the causeway shore here; keep casts clear of them
• Road traffic runs close by; park only in the ramp area
• The catwalk itself is level; cross the causeway road only with great care

Facilities are basic.

• A portable toilet at the ramp
• A four-lane boat ramp, with new docks built in 2026 after Hurricane Milton damage
• Free unpaved parking at the ramp, and a small picnic shelter there
• No bait shop at the ramp; bait and tackle shops are in Melbourne and on the beachside
• No confirmed lighting on the catwalk, and the ramp closes at dusk
• Nothing is sold on the causeway; bring water and shade

• Fish the side of the catwalk where the wind is stacking water and bait against the causeway
• The grass flats beside the causeway hold seatrout at first light
• Sheepshead on the bridge pilings are the winter standby
• Bring your own water; there is nothing for sale on the causeway
• If the wind is wrong here, the City of Melbourne's Eau Gallie Pier on the mainland shore nearby is an alternative

The boat ramp and catwalk are Brevard County parks facilities; the bridge is state property.

• The county lists the ramp as open from dawn to dusk; Brevard County parks allow fishing only in areas designated for it, here the catwalk
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you qualify for an exemption
• Keeping a snook requires a snook permit as well as the license; check FWC seasons
• The FWC's Indian River Lagoon region has release rules for redfish; check FWC before you fish
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything