Fishing the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine is one of those experiences where you never really know what you’re going to get. Some days, it’s great action with redfish, snook, and sheepshead biting left and right. Other days, you might be staring at your line for hours with nothing to show for it. But whether it’s a hot bite or a slow day, the scenery and experience make it a worthwhile trip.
The History and Location of the Bridge of Lions
The Bridge of Lions is one of St. Augustine’s most iconic landmarks, spanning the Matanzas River and connecting downtown St. Augustine to Anastasia Island via State Road A1A. The original bridge was completed in 1927 and named for the two marble lion statues that guard its entrance, inspired by the Medici lions in Italy. Designed as a bascule drawbridge, it allows boats to pass while maintaining a scenic and historic aesthetic.
After years of wear and tear, the bridge was completely reconstructed between 2006 and 2010, preserving its historic charm while reinforcing it for modern use. Today, it remains a vital part of St. Augustine’s transportation system and an excellent fishing spot, offering easy access to both inshore and nearshore species.
Scenic Views of Downtown St. Augustine
Fishing here offers excellent views of downtown St. Augustine, making it enjoyable even for those who are not interested in fishing. If you need a break, there are public docks nearby where you can tie up and grab a bite to eat at one of the many waterfront restaurants. The combination of great scenery and convenience makes this an ideal location for a family outing.
Depth and Current
The waters under the Bridge of Lions are deeper than many anglers expect, dropping to around 30 feet during low tide in some spots. The current is also strong here, so be mindful of its direction—it can be difficult to keep your bait on the bottom without using heavier weights. If you’re tying your boat up to the pylons, always be aware of the tide changes, as your boat may swing into the concrete if you’re not paying attention.
Best Baits and What You Can Catch
The variety of fish you can hook here depends on the season and the tide. Some of the most common catches around the bridge include:
- Redfish – Some of the biggest redfish we’ve ever caught have been here using live shrimp.
- Sheepshead – Best caught with fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or shrimp fished close to the structure.
- Flounder – Soft plastics or live mud minnows along the bottom.
- Black Drum – Many anglers swear by cut-up blue crab, but we’ve found live shrimp to be the most consistent bait.
Night fishing can also be productive, as the bridge lights attract baitfish, drawing in predators like snook and trout.
Best Spots to Fish From a Boat
We always fish here from a boat and tie directly up to the pylons. There are two pylons on the west side of the main channel and two more near the east seawall. Tying up to these makes fishing off the back of the boat perfect with the current. Most of the time, there are pylons open, but this area can get busy. We’ve found the best success during slack tide when the current slows down.
We usually fish here with our 239FS, and we wouldn’t recommend much larger than a 24-foot boat in this spot. The area is mostly protected from wake, except for the occasional boater who ignores the no-wake zone, though this is rare.
A Great Spot for Families
This is our go-to spot when bringing the family along. My parents prefer shade, so tying up to the pylons provides a great escape from the sun while still allowing us to fish comfortably. My daughter loves throwing the cast net here—there are plenty of baitfish nearby, and she enjoys catching them and tossing them into the live well (before we release them back into the water).
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for guaranteed catches, this might not be the best spot. More often than not, we’ve left empty-handed. However, this is always our choice when we want to relax, enjoy the views, and spend quality time with the family. St. Augustine has some of the best inshore fishing around, so if you strike out here, there are plenty of other places to try!