If you want to fish Nassau Sound without a boat, the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier gives you nearly a mile of bridge to work from. It was built in 1948 and carried cars until 1999, when the new bridge beside it opened and the Florida Park Service took it over. In 2003 the Legislature renamed it for state Rep. George Crady, who led the local effort to save it for fishing.
The park lists whiting, redfish, flounder, speckled sea trout, jacks, drum and tarpon among the regular catches. Reds and trout bite all year but run thickest in spring and fall, and tarpon arrive behind the fall mullet run. The small grass flats off the south end hold fish too. This bridge produced the world record Southern flounder in 1983, at 20 pounds, 9.4 ounces. A cleaning table with running water sits on the north side, and the park doesn't sell fishing licenses, so get yours before you come if you need one.
Before you go:
- The bridge is open from 8 a.m. until sunset every day, and night fishing isn't allowed.
- Entry is $2 per person at the honor box, correct change only. A paid entry at Amelia Island State Park or the Big Talbot boat ramp lot covers the bridge as well.
- The middle span is closed, so there's no walking or biking across to Big Talbot.
- Pets aren't allowed on the bridge.
- The bridge and its restroom are wheelchair accessible, and an outdoor shower is next to the bathhouse at the north end.
Bring a fishing cart and something for shade. Look down now and then for dolphins, blacktip sharks and loggerhead turtles, and for diamondback terrapins near Sawpit Island in spring and summer. You reach the bridge through Amelia Island State Park, with Big Talbot Island on the far shore. If you'd rather fish with a captain, reservations and bookings can set up a charter.