George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier

George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier is a state park made from the old bridge over Nassau Sound, where the Nassau River meets the Atlantic between Amelia Island and Big Talbot Island. It is one of Northeast Florida's classic land-based spots, with deep, fast water under the whole span.

• Whiting and seatrout, redfish and black drum.
• Flounder and sheepshead around the old bridge structure.
• Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jacks and tarpon in season.
• Wide views over salt marsh and an undeveloped sound.

The pier runs beside the current State Road A1A bridge between the south end of Amelia Island and the north end of Big Talbot Island, on the Nassau-Duval county line.

• Access: Park at Amelia Island State Park, on the north side of the sound in Nassau County, and walk under the highway bridge to the old span. The middle section is closed, so there is no way across to Big Talbot Island, and the Duval County end has stayed shut since hurricane damage.
• Capacity: Amelia Island State Park admits 300 people at a time; when full it closes to new visitors until about 150 leave.
• Fees: A small per-person Florida State Parks fee, paid at the honor box with correct change.
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset; no after-hours access or night fishing.
• Surface: The old bridge deck; walk out as far as the open section allows.
• Pets are not allowed on the pier.

Nassau Sound fishes well all year.

• Spring (Mar-May): Whiting and seatrout, black drum and sheepshead, redfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel passing.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Tarpon rolling in the sound, Spanish mackerel, jacks, flounder, whiting and sharks.
• Fall (Sep-Nov): Redfish and flounder on the outgoing tide, bluefish and jacks with the mullet, seatrout.
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Sheepshead and black drum around the old pilings, whiting and seatrout.

Heavy lead is essential for the current.

• Whiting: A two-hook bottom rig with size 1-2 hooks, shrimp or Fishbites, and enough lead (often 4-6 oz) to hold.
• Seatrout: Live shrimp under a float drifted with the current, or soft plastics near the structure.
• Redfish and black drum: A fish-finder rig with cut mullet, crab or clams on a 4/0-6/0 circle hook.
• Sheepshead: Fiddler crabs or shrimp dropped beside the old pilings at slack tide.
• Bring a bridge net or drop net: the deck is high above the water.

Nassau Sound has semidiurnal tides, two highs and two lows a day, with a range of around five to six feet and very strong currents.

• Fish the first two hours either side of slack; peak flow makes it very hard to hold bottom.
• The outgoing tide pulls bait out of the Nassau River and marshes and is best for redfish and flounder.
• The incoming tide brings cleaner ocean water for whiting, trout and Spanish mackerel.
• Strong wind against the tide makes the sound choppy.
• The park closes at sunset, so night fishing is not possible.

A wide, flat deck, but serious water below.

• Closed sections: Stay out of any fenced or closed part of the old bridge.
• Currents: Swimming in Nassau Sound is unsafe because of strong currents.
• Heights: Supervise children at the rails; the drop to the water is high.
• Weather: Summer lightning; the bridge is exposed with no shade.
• Traffic: The live A1A bridge runs alongside; stay on the fishing pier.
• Access: The paved approach and level deck suit wheelchairs, though distances are long and there is no shade.

Basic facilities at the Amelia Island end.

• Restrooms and an outdoor shower at the bathhouse at the north end of the bridge.
• A fish-cleaning table with running water on the north side.
• Picnic tables on the bridge across from the restrooms.
• Parking in Amelia Island State Park.
• No lights or bait shop on the pier; bring bait, or cast-net mullet and shrimp along the shoreline.

• Fish the turn of the tide; at full flow even 6 oz may not hold.
• Whiting and trout are the most reliable catches for visitors.
• Bring plenty of spare rigs: the old bridge rubble snags lines.
• Sheepshead gather on the old pilings from December to April.
• Carry water and sun protection; there is no shade at all.
• Check Florida State Parks notices before you go: the pier's open section has changed as the old structure deteriorates.

George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Recreation and Parks (with Amelia Island State Park and the Talbot Islands parks).

• Open 8 a.m. to sunset; the park entry fee applies; no pets on the pier; keep out of closed sections.
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• Tarpon are subject to FWC release rules; shore-based shark fishing requires a free FWC permit.
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.