Toms Harbor Cut Bridge, Duck Key Fishing

Toms Harbor Cut Bridge is one of the old railroad spans reborn as a fishing bridge in the Middle Keys. Fast water through the cut makes it a classic place to catch snapper and to see tarpon.

• A tidal cut between the ocean side and Florida Bay
• Mangrove snapper, grunts, jacks and barracuda, with tarpon in season
• Listed by the FWC as a Keys fishing bridge
• Walk-on access beside the Overseas Highway

The bridge sits at about mile marker 61.5 on the ocean side, just north of Duck Key, and is part of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail run by Florida State Parks.

• Getting there: leave U.S. 1 at the bridge ends and walk onto the old span
• Surface: the old railroad deck, open to walkers, cyclists and anglers
• Hours: the trail's fishing bridges are state park land, open about 8 a.m. to sunset
• Parking: pull-off space near the ends is limited, so read the posted signs before leaving a car
• Fees: none that we could confirm

The cut holds fish through the year, though the best action follows the seasons.

• Spring (Mar-May): tarpon begin to show in the channel, with barracuda and jacks
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper on the pilings, tarpon at dawn and dusk
• Fall (Sep-Nov): snapper and grunts, plus jacks on bait schools
• Winter (Dec-Feb): snapper and grunts hold on, with a few seatrout on cool days; fewer tarpon

Heavier spinning gear is wise because the current is strong and fish run for the pilings.

• Snapper and grunts: live shrimp or cut bait on a knocker rig, with a 20 to 30 lb fluorocarbon leader
• Jacks and barracuda: a bucktail jig or silver spoon cast along the current seam
• Tarpon: live crab or mullet on a 60 lb leader and stout gear; check FWC rules first
• Bring a bridge net or a drop net; the deck is high above the water

The Keys have two highs and two lows a day, and a cut like this runs hard on both.

• Fish the moving tide; the best bite often comes around the turn
• A strong outgoing tide pulls bait into Florida Bay and brings predators to the bridge
• Early morning and dusk are the coolest and best hours in summer
• Wind against the current builds chop and stirs the water

This is an open bridge deck beside a busy highway, not a railed pier.

• Watch road traffic when you cross and keep children back from the edge
• Current in the cut is strong, so do not wade or swim
• Leave at the first thunder of a summer storm
• Sun and heat are fierce on an unshaded deck; carry water
• Reaching the water to land a big fish is hard, so take a net or gaff

The bridge itself has few services.

• No restrooms or bait shop that we could confirm at the bridge
• Duck Key and nearby Marathon have bait, tackle and food, so stock up before you go
• No lights confirmed; plan to fish in daylight

• Come at first light in summer, when the cut is cool and quiet
• Pick the incoming or outgoing tide, not slack water
• Carry a net or a bridge gaff; the drop to the water is high
• Pack bait and ice from Marathon or Duck Key
• If the bite is slow here, the Toms Harbor Channel Bridge is a short drive away

The bridge is part of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, managed by Florida State Parks, and the FWC lists it as a fishing bridge.

• The trail's fishing bridges are open from about 8 a.m. to sunset
• Read any posted signs; we could not confirm special rules here
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Shore-based shark fishing needs the free FWC permit
• Tarpon and goliath grouper have release rules; check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything