Honeymoon Island Causeway Bridge Fishing

Honeymoon Island Causeway Bridge is a short, current-swept span on the road to the state park, and the moving water around its pilings makes it a good small-scale spot for anglers who like to fish structure. It is a quick stop rather than a day destination.

• Tidal current through a gap between the Sound and the flats
• Seatrout, redfish, sheepshead, jacks and the odd snook
• Both the east and west sides are fished
• Roadside access with traffic close by

The bridge is on Causeway Boulevard (SR 586) about two miles west of Alt. 19, the last bridge before Honeymoon Island State Park. The causeway is kept up by Pinellas County and the City of Dunedin.

• Hours: the causeway is open for recreation from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Parking: the city describes free parking along the access areas beside the roadway; park only where the shoulder is wide and clear of the travel lane
• Fish from the ground at the bridge approaches, not from the roadway
• The state park gate is just beyond the bridge, with its own rules and entry arrangements

Current and pilings hold a mix of resident and passing fish.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and ladyfish, with Spanish mackerel and jacks when bait is thick
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook and mangrove snapper close to the pilings, jacks on moving tides
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and seatrout, with mullet schools drawing larger fish
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum at the pilings, slower seatrout fishing

Keep the tackle light and be ready to move your bait away from the pilings.

• Sheepshead: fiddler crab or a small piece of shrimp on a short leader, dropped next to the pilings
• Snook and snapper: a live shrimp or pinfish drifted back with the current, on 15 to 20 lb leader
• Seatrout and redfish: a soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jig head, cast up-current
• Jacks and ladyfish: small spoons and jigs retrieved fast
• Landing larger fish from the bank can be tricky near the rocks; bring a landing net

Tides here are two uneven highs and lows on most days; check the nearest NOAA station for timing.

• The best fishing comes in the middle of a strong run, either direction
• Slack water is slow and the flats are shallow at low
• Incoming water brings the cleanest Gulf-side water
• Dawn and dusk are best; midday sun makes fish hold deeper
• Heavy rain and strong winds cloud the water

This is a road bridge, not a fishing pier, and the risk is the traffic.

• Never fish from the travel lanes or lean over the rail; cars pass close
• Stay off the bridge deck, and park fully off the pavement
• The current is quick; do not wade near the pilings
• Rocks and shell at the bank are slippery
• The approach has no railing or handicapped fishing platform, so access is by a short, uneven walk

There are no facilities at the bridge itself.

• Restrooms and a concession stand are on the western part of the causeway, just before the second bridge, and the state park has more beyond the gate
• No bait shop was confirmed on the causeway; bring bait from Dunedin
• No lights, benches or fish-cleaning table here

• Check both sides; the current sets up differently on the east and west
• Time the visit with the fastest tide, then be gone before the sun is high
• Fish the pilings with a crab for sheepshead before they spawn, when the bite is best
• Use a light leader in the clear water but keep your drag tight near the pilings
• Have a plan B on the beach side if the shoulder is full
• Fish on a weekday; weekends bring heavy traffic to the park

The causeway is shared by Pinellas County and the City of Dunedin, and the city asks anglers to hold a license and dispose of hooks and line properly.

• Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; special night fishing permits are issued by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
• Fishing from the bridges is allowed unless posted, so read the signs
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook, tarpon and redfish have special rules; check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything