Merrill P. Barber Bridge Fishing

Merrill P. Barber Bridge is Vero Beach's main lagoon bridge, with a fishing pier and catwalk built under its east end beside Riverside Park.

• Snook and tarpon around sunset
• Mangrove snapper, sheepshead and black drum on the pilings
• Easy, safe fishing for children, with lots of pigfish and pinfish
• A city park with parking and restrooms at the foot of the bridge

The bridge carries SR 60 (Beachland Boulevard) between mainland Vero Beach and the barrier island; the fishing area is under the east end, at the north end of Riverside Park.

• Parking: Riverside Park lots near the bridge and the boat ramp; check any posted parking rules
• Access: a short, level walk from the park to the pier and catwalk under the bridge
• Surface: concrete and wood decking with rails
• Hours: the city posts each park's hours at the park; check them before planning an evening session

The bridge fishes all year, with snook the headline.

• Spring (Mar-May): snook moving onto the bridge, sheepshead finishing up, black drum and jacks
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook at sunset on live bait, mangrove snapper on the pilings, pigfish and pinfish for the kids
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings snook, tarpon, redfish and jacks
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum on the pilings, seatrout nearby

Bring a light rod for snapper and a heavier rod for snook.

• Snook and tarpon: live pinfish, pigfish or finger mullet on a 40 to 50 lb fluorocarbon leader and a 3/0 circle hook
• Snapper: live shrimp on a knocker rig close to the pilings
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader and a small strong hook
• Black drum: shrimp or crab on the bottom
• A bridge net is essential; snook will cut you off on the pilings

The lagoon here has a small tidal range, and wind moves the water as much as the tide does.

• Moving water is best; the stronger stages of either tide pull bait past the pilings
• Sunset is prime for snook; check the posted park hours before staying after dark
• Heavy rain can stain the lagoon with fresh water; darker lures and live bait help then
• Winter cold fronts push sheepshead and drum onto the pilings

The catwalk is one of the safer places to fish the lagoon.

• Lightning is the biggest risk in summer; leave when storms build
• Barnacled pilings cut line and fingers; handle fish carefully
• Decks are slippery after rain
• Keep clear of the channel and boats passing under the bridge
• Level access from the park suits most visitors

Riverside Park is a large city park.

• Restrooms in the park
• Boat ramps in the park
• Picnic shelters, a playground and a walking track elsewhere in the park for anyone not fishing
• Dogs on a leash are allowed only in the north part of the park, north of Dahlia Lane
• Bait and tackle shops are in Vero Beach on both sides of the lagoon

• Sunset is when the snook bite switches on; have live bait ready before dark
• Catch pinfish and pigfish on small hooks and shrimp, then use them as snook bait
• For snapper, drop small live shrimp tight to the pilings rather than casting out
• Fish the side of the catwalk the current is pushing against
• Watch for manatees and dolphins; keep lines clear
• Handle and release snook carefully, and check FWC snook seasons before keeping one

The pier and catwalk are reached from Riverside Park, owned by the City of Vero Beach; the bridge is state property.

• Vero Beach bans chumming and bloodbaiting from city parks and beaches; follow the posted park hours and signs
• 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