Marler Bridge (Destin Bridge) Fishing

Marler Bridge (Destin Bridge) spans the fast tidal water of East Pass, where Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf trade water twice a day. Structure plus current makes it a dependable sheepshead and redfish stop for anglers on foot.

• Pilings and fenders hold sheepshead, snapper and spadefish
• Redfish and black drum reported on shrimp and pinfish
• A pedestrian path now follows the bridge
• Fish only in the locations posted for it

The bridge carries US 98 between Destin and Okaloosa Island. The Florida Department of Transportation owns it, and Okaloosa County built the Bridge-to-Bridge Multi-Use Path that links it toward the John T. Brooks Bridge.

• A designated parking area sits at the southwest end of the bridge, per a local guide; look for signs
• Beach-access parking nearby was improved as part of the path project
• A local guide says fishing is free and legal within the posted locations
• Do not cast from the traffic lanes

Sheepshead are the staple, with the rest of the cast changing by season.

• Spring (Mar-May): sheepshead tail off while redfish, trout and flounder cruise the pass edges
• Summer (Jun-Aug): gray snapper and spadefish around the pilings, with jacks and ladyfish on moving water
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and black drum along the shoreline with the bull-reds and mullet movement
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead peak; a few trout and redfish on warmer afternoons

Heavy current and sharp barnacle-covered structure mean you need sturdy gear and spare rigs.

• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short-shank 1/0 hook, with a 1 to 2 oz egg sinker or jig head
• Redfish and black drum: cut shrimp or a live pinfish on a Carolina rig
• Snapper: live shrimp on a knocker rig, fished near pilings at night or low light
• Use 20 to 30 lb braid and a 30 lb fluorocarbon leader
• A long-handled net helps; hauling fish up the rail is hard

East Pass moves hard on a big tide, and this stretch of the Panhandle has one small high and low on most days. Check the nearest NOAA station for the day's times.

• Fish the turn and the softer hour after it when the current eases
• Peak ripping tides push bait past the pilings but make bottom rigs hard to hold
• Clean, green incoming water is best
• Cold fronts push sheepshead onto the structure
• Strong east or west wind can stir the pass

This is a state highway bridge in an active boating channel.

• Stay on the pedestrian path and off the traffic lanes
• Boats pass close under the span; keep lines high and clear
• Take care with lightning, heat and summer afternoon storms
• The path is a paved walkway, but the fishing positions are not all level
• Barnacles on the structure cut lines and hands
• Use a long-handled net rather than lifting fish over the rail

Facilities are those of the surrounding area rather than the bridge itself.

• A parking area is reported at the southwest end of the bridge
• Restrooms and bait shops are not confirmed on the bridge itself; Destin Harbor businesses and the Okaloosa Island side usually have bait and food
• No fishing lights confirmed; bring a headlamp
• Bring water and sun protection

• Walk the whole path first and read the posted signs for where fishing is allowed
• Bring spare sheepshead hooks and sinkers; the pilings eat rigs
• Early mornings keep you away from the heaviest traffic and path users
• Fiddler crabs and live shrimp are the usual baits; pick them up in Destin before you head out
• Fender-system work followed a 2025 incident, so expect occasional work

FDOT owns the bridge and the county built the path along it.

• Fish only in locations posted for it; do not fish from the traffic lanes
• FDOT assessed the bridge in August 2025, found no structural damage, and a fender-system replacement was planned, so check for current work
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless an exemption applies
• Check current FWC rules at myfwc.com for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything
• Check FWC rules for redfish and goliath grouper