POW/MIA Park (Pineda Causeway) Fishing

POW/MIA Park (Pineda Causeway) is the county's riverfront park at the west end of the Pineda Causeway, a simple place to fish the Indian River Lagoon from the bank.

• Shoreline fishing listed by the county
• Seatrout, redfish and black drum all year, snook and snapper in summer, sheepshead in winter
• A restroom and paved parking
• The county lists the boat ramp as closed until October 9 for a rebuild and a new dock

The park is at 5995 North US Highway 1, Melbourne, on the Indian River shoreline just north of the Pineda Causeway (State Road 404).

• Parking: the county lists 32 paved car spaces and 36 grass boat-trailer spaces; no fee is listed
• Hours: the county lists the boat ramp as open 24 hours a day when in service; other park hours are not given
• The county says the boat ramp is closed from April 23 to October 9 for dredging, ramp replacement and a new dock; expect work areas near the ramp
• A non-motorized launch area serves kayaks and canoes
• Fish the shoreline away from the ramp works until they are finished

A typical Space Coast lagoon mix, with the causeway bridges just to the south.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and redfish on the grass edges, black drum, jacks
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook along the bank at first and last light, mangrove snapper near structure, ladyfish busting bait
• Fall (Sep-Nov): mullet schools bring snook, redfish, jacks and the odd tarpon along the shore
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum, with seatrout sliding into deeper water on cold days

Light to medium spinning tackle with 10 to 15 lb braid and a 20 to 30 lb leader is right for the bank.

• Seatrout: live shrimp under a popping cork, or a paddle-tail soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jig head
• Redfish and black drum: shrimp, crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig
• Snook: live finger mullet or pinfish at dawn and dusk
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp near any structure on a small, strong hook
• Cast along the shoreline rather than straight out; fish often cruise the edge

Lunar tides are tiny this far up the Indian River Lagoon; the wind is what moves the water.

• A steady breeze that pushes water along the shore or toward the causeway starts the bite
• Calm, clear mornings are best for spotting seatrout and reds
• Summer fishing is best at dawn, before the heat and afternoon storms
• After heavy rain the lagoon stains; use live bait and darker lures
• Winter fronts push fish off the shallows into deeper water

A simple county park, but it is a working boat ramp and a building site until the ramp reopens.

• Keep clear of ramp traffic and any fenced construction areas
• Summer lightning over the open lagoon; leave at the first thunder
• Heat and sun on an exposed shoreline; bring water and shade
• Manatees use the lagoon; never snag, feed or disturb them
• Mind US 1 traffic when turning in and out of the park
• The county flags the park as accessible, but check the shoreline footing before you commit

Facilities are simple but useful.

• A restroom
• The POW/MIA Community Center, a 1,100-square-foot building on the river with a wraparound porch, rented for events
• A two-lane saltwater boat ramp, listed by the county as closed until October 9 for replacement and a new dock
• A non-motorized launch area for kayaks and canoes
• Paved parking for cars and grass parking for trailers
• No bait shop in the park; buy shrimp at tackle shops in Melbourne before you come

• Fish the edges where the grass meets sand; seatrout and reds patrol them early
• On a windy day, find the shoreline the wind is blowing toward; that is where the bait gathers
• Winter sheepshead and black drum like structure, so fish close to anything solid you can reach
• Watch for mullet schools in the fall and fish right behind them
• Check the county's park notices before you drive over while the ramp work is under way

POW/MIA Park is a Brevard County park; follow posted park rules.

• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you qualify for an exemption
• Keeping a snook also requires a snook permit
• The FWC's Indian River Lagoon region has release rules for redfish; check FWC before you fish
• Manatees are protected by state and federal law
• Keep out of any fenced work zone during the ramp replacement
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything