Best Fishing Spots in Melbourne, FL
Shore, pier, and kayak fishing — a local's guide to the best spots in south Brevard County.
Melbourne sits in the heart of south Brevard County, right on the edge of the Indian River Lagoon — one of the most productive estuaries on the East Coast. Whether you're dropping a line off a causeway at sunrise, paddling a kayak through Crane Creek, or walking the surf at Melbourne Beach, there's a fishing experience for every skill level right here in our backyard.
The IRL is the star of the show, offering year-round action for redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, and sheepshead. The surf adds pompano and bluefish to the mix. And the causeways — Melbourne and Eau Gallie — are two of the most consistent bank-fishing spots in Brevard. Let's break it all down spot by spot.
Seasonal Overview
Spring (Mar–May)
ExcellentSnook start hitting at Sebastian Inlet and bridge lights. Pompano on the surf. Cobia cruising nearshore.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
GoodNight snook fishing peaks under causeway lights. Tarpon appear in the IRL. Mangrove snapper on structure.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
ExcellentMullet run triggers redfish and snook feeding frenzy. Best season overall for variety.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
GoodSheepshead dominate structure. Redfish school in the lagoon. Trout in deeper water.
The Best Spots
#1: Melbourne Causeway (US-192)
Bridge / CatwalkThe Melbourne Causeway bridge over the Indian River is one of the most accessible and productive fishing spots in south Brevard. The bridge pilings attract sheepshead all winter, redfish cruise the nearby flats in fall, and snook stack up under the lights at night from May through October. The catwalks on both sides give you a direct shot at the piling bases.
💡 Local Tip: Night fishing under the bridge lights in summer is exceptional for snook. Free-line live pilchards or use a 1/4 oz white jig and let the current swing it through the shadow line.
#2: Crane Creek / Melbourne Waterfront
Shore / KayakCrane Creek winds through downtown Melbourne before emptying into the Indian River Lagoon. This urban creek is an underrated gem — snook hold under every dock and bridge, mangrove snapper cluster around any hard structure, and black drum patrol the bottom along the seawall. The Melbourne Waterfront Park gives easy shore access, and kayakers can paddle the creek at high tide for some surprisingly technical snook fishing.
💡 Local Tip: During the summer snook spawn, fish the mouth of Crane Creek where it opens into the IRL. Cast soft plastics along the channel edge just after dark.
#3: Dragon Point (South Brevard)
Boat / KayakDragon Point is a geographic feature on the Indian River where the shoreline juts out, creating a natural current concentration point that fish love. The flats around Dragon Point hold redfish and trout year-round, with the best action in fall when schools of redfish push through. A power line crosses the IRL nearby, and the area under the power lines is another classic structure spot worth investigating.
💡 Local Tip: Fish the tide-swept points and grass flat edges on an outgoing tide. Weedless gold spoons are the go-to for covering water while searching for cruising redfish.
#4: Ballard Park Boat Ramp & Flats
Shore / Boat LaunchBallard Park off Front Street gives you direct access to the Indian River and a decent ramp for launching boats and kayaks. The grassy flats just north and south of the park hold redfish and trout, and it's walkable from the park itself. In the cooler months, redfish school up in this stretch of the lagoon and can be spotted pushing bait in shallow water.
💡 Local Tip: Show up an hour before sunrise and look for redfish tailing as the flat comes alive. Light tackle — 10-15 lb braid on a 7' medium-light rod — is perfect here.
#5: Melbourne Beach Surf Fishing
Shore / SurfMelbourne Beach offers miles of Atlantic surf fishing with easy beach access from A1A. Pompano are the prize — best caught on sand fleas or fishbites in the surf troughs from March through May and again in fall. Bluefish run the surf year-round and will demolish any cut bait. In spring, cobia cruise the nearshore water and can be targeted from the beach with live crabs or large paddle tails.
💡 Local Tip: Look for the "first trough" — the depression just behind the first sandbar. That's where pompano and whiting stack up. Fish two-hook rigs with sand fleas on the bottom hook and fishbites on the top.
#6: Eau Gallie Causeway
Bridge / BankThe Eau Gallie Causeway (the old A1A bridge near Melbourne) has some of the best bank fishing in south Brevard. The old pilings and riprap along the causeway hold sheepshead from December through March, and the adjacent flats produce redfish and trout year-round. It's a great spot for kids and beginners — walk up, drop some fiddler crabs, and wait for the sheepshead to come calling.
💡 Local Tip: During the sheepshead season, fish the riprap on an incoming tide with fiddler crabs or oyster bits. The fish are literally stacked there.
Know the Rules
Snook: Slot limit is 28–33 inches total length. Snook has seasonal closures — check FWC regulations before targeting them. A snook stamp is required in addition to your fishing license.
Redfish: Slot limit is 18–27 inches. One fish per person per day. Over-slot fish must be released immediately.
Trout: 15–20 inch slot, five fish bag limit. One fish over 20 inches per person per day allowed.
Sheepshead: 10-inch minimum, 8-fish bag limit. No special restrictions — but they're delicious, so everyone targets them in winter.
Always verify current regulations at myfwc.com before you head out — rules change and it's your responsibility to know them.
Gear Up & Get Out There
For most Melbourne-area fishing, a 7-foot medium spinning outfit with 15 lb braid and a 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader will handle 90% of situations. Live shrimp is the universal bait — pick some up at Brevard Bait & Tackle in Melbourne or Sayers Marine off US-1. Fiddler crabs for sheepshead in winter, sand fleas for surf fishing — those are your specialty purchases.
Kayak anglers are particularly well-situated in Melbourne. The IRL is calm, the launches are free, and the fishing is phenomenal. Ballard Park and Crane Creek both offer easy kayak access. If you're renting, check with local outfitters along the waterfront.
One more thing: get your license. A Florida freshwater and saltwater combination license covers most fishing situations. Snook requires an additional stamp. You can buy both online at myfwc.com or at most local bait shops.