Cudjoe Key

[wahookeith]

Finally convinced the entire family to head back to the keys for a vacation in early April. I'm typically a bass fisherman but my motto is fishing is fishing and the only reason i don't do more saltwater fishing is there isn't much of that here in Virginia. While I'm not going to have full days to leave the kids and go fishing on my own, I will do a fair amount of wetting a line for a few hours at a time (sunrise and sunset time mostly). Was hoping for recommendations for the closest bridges and shorelines to where we are staying (Cudjoe Key). I’m fishing for anything that will bite and will be bringing my own tackle (light and heavy) complete with my faithful cast net (as if my nagging shoulder isn’t sore enough already). Any information would be appreciated. I’m new to the board but have already found a boatload of great information. Can’t say enough great things about the board!!!!

[fishnfool73]

Niles is close and is an excellent bridge as are the Ohio - Missouri three bridges. Travel with a pocket of weights , hooks, some 3/8 oz jigheads and leader a 10- 15 lb spinner and a bucket of live shrimp. Hit the pilings for a few then move on til you find a school of keeper mangroves . Limit out on 12 - 16 inch fish then head home.

[permitchaser]

you giving up all the good spots ff

[bolo]

There is nothing at Niles. That bridge is actually abandoned by Monroe county.

[wahookeith]

Thanks folks.....again, it's nice that there are people willing to share. Sometimes when i go places it just seems like people don't want to be bothered with questions.!

[fishnfool73]

Most of the bridges in that area will produce some tarpon, jacks, snapper, short grouper, grunts, cudas and snook if you use the above method. Fish the jighead and shrimp like a rubber worm but keep it just off the bottom and let it drift with the current like it would naturally. Bounce it around the pilings as well.
Like I said travel light and move til you find them biting. You can hit a few bridges in that area that ''we'' won't post publically and fill your limit of snapper easy enough in the 12 -16 inch range so throw back those 10 -11 inchers.

[james380]

lol Keith it doesn't hurt that you're only going to be here for a week. Good luck. I hope the weather holds steady for ya.