Main Street Bridge, Daytona Beach Fishing

Main Street Bridge is the Halifax River drawbridge that connects downtown Daytona Beach with the oceanfront, a bridge anglers fish around the pilings and fenders for sheepshead, drum and snapper. It is urban fishing, close to everything, with real traffic.

• Tidal, brackish Halifax River water with plenty of structure
• Sheepshead, black drum, mangrove snapper, redfish and seatrout
• Parking on the west side, with a trail nearby
• Heavy traffic and boats, so go carefully

The bridge crosses the Halifax River at Main Street, with the west end near Rio Vista Avenue and the beachside end on the barrier island. Volusia County maintains the bridge.

• Parking: park on the west side; a lot lies under the bridge near the start of the Sweetheart Trail
• Fishing is from the sidewalk and the water's edge at the ends, as the span is narrow and busy
• Fees and hours were not confirmed; read the posted signs
• Deck and sidewalk repair work has been advertised, so a lane or sidewalk may be closed

Halifax River fish, shifting with the temperature and the rain.

• Spring (Mar-May): sheepshead spawn near the pilings, with mangrove snapper arriving as the water warms
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper, jacks and ladyfish, plus redfish and seatrout on the edges
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and black drum move through, with mullet runs
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead peak, with black drum and seatrout on cold days

Use medium spinning tackle with 15 to 20 lb braid and a fluorocarbon leader.

• Sheepshead and black drum: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a small hook, dropped against the pilings
• Mangrove snapper: a small live shrimp or pinfish on a light knocker rig
• Redfish and seatrout: a live shrimp under a cork, or a soft plastic on a jig head
• Bring a long-handled landing net, as the water is far below the sidewalk
• Keep lines clear of boat channels

The Halifax River has tides driven by Ponce Inlet; check the NOAA station for Daytona Beach.

• Moving water, especially the outgoing tide, brings fish to the bridge shadows
• Dawn and dusk are best in summer; midday is fine in winter
• Heavy rain freshens the water, which pushes sheepshead and snapper out and brings redfish and drum in
• Wind against the current makes the bridge choppy and harder to fish

This is a busy drawbridge.

• Stay out of travel lanes and watch for cyclists and pedestrians on the sidewalk
• Stay clear of the draw span when the bridge is opening or closing
• Boat wakes and strong current can foul lines
• Hold rods low and secure on the sidewalk
• Access: a paved sidewalk with a rail; mobility depends on the ends, and the repair work may restrict it

Facilities were not confirmed at the bridge itself.

• Parking on the west side
• Restrooms: an OpenStreetMap listing shows public toilets near the Riverfront and Manatee Plaza area, and the trail path passes them
• No bait shop was confirmed at the bridge; buy bait in town and bring water

• Try the last hours of the outgoing tide for the best bite
• Fiddler crabs or live shrimp are the go-to baits for sheepshead
• Park on the west side and walk to the part of the walkway that is open
• Fish from the shoreline near the bridge ends if the sidewalk is closed
• Leave the bridge when a boat is passing or the span is opening
• Expect the catch to shift with rain, since the water is brackish

The county's bridge pages do not list fishing here, so read every sign before fishing.

• This is a county-maintained bridge with no published fishing rule found, so confirm any posted rules
• Stay out of the traffic lanes and do not fish from the draw span
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything