Roadside fishing has been long regarded as a popular and convenient angling technique, especially in our vibrant Florida waters. But does it really work?

Well, the success of roadside fishing can be determined by many factors, and it all depends on conditions. Whether it’s concerning the water, the location, or even the lure being used, it’s all very versatile. 

Oftentimes, roadside fishing can be affected by the quality of the water being sought. In most scenarios, this is excluding direct access to the ocean. However, depending on the location, direct access to the ocean may be important. But this is specifically relating to ponds, retention ponds, canal systems, and even everglades if nearby. For example, driving down highways in the everglades, there are often little pockets of water surrounded by forest. Found in these pockets are plentiful amounts of life thriving in crystal clear water. So, when looking for a roadside fishing spot, it’s best to look for vegetation, and remotely clear, moving water.

But how might being close to the ocean change anything?

Being close to the ocean only truly matters when fishing brackish or saltwater. However, when fishing ponds near the ocean, being within a close vicinity to the ocean can be helpful. For example, during hurricanes or tropical storms when flooding is very likely, it is typical for saltwater to flood into these ponds. As a result, some of the fish that flood into these ponds specifically adapt themselves to survive in that environment, such as snook and tarpon. But while both fish are very thrilling to chase, they can be a difficult catch. 

So, how would one be able to catch any of these fish?

When fishing backwater rivers and ponds, using the correct lure is crucial. For beginners, a simple way to determine what lure to use is analyzing the weather conditions. For example, if the weather is clear and sunny, it would be smartest to use a swimbait, a lure designed to stay below the surface of the water, disguising itself as another fish.

On the other hand, when the weather conditions are overcast skies with high levels of wind,

 It’s recommended to use topwater lures designed to float on top of the water. Typically, they are made to depict an injured or weak bait fish, however may also resemble creatures such as frogs, bugs, rats, or snakes. A great time to fish topwater is during the morning and at night, when the light is low. However, topwater lures may work during daylight if a fish is under heavy cover, or if caught under heavy shrubbery.

So, to restate the question – is roadside fishing really worth it? 

In short, the answer is yes. Roadside fishing, if done correctly, can be an extremely gratifying and rewarding experience. But it all depends on the conditions.