FYI: Fishing Platforms - Fl Keys

[dreamsfloatjoe]

Alvin Brown mans his fishing rod.
Photo by Bob Serata/Florida Keys
News Bureau

The concrete bridges left from Henry Flagler's early 20th-century railroad traversing the Keys are enjoyed by anglers, cyclists, joggers and people just taking a leisurely stroll to check out the magnificent views. One of those bridges is now safer and easier to use.

Fishing platforms, which resemble cantilevered balconies attached to the bridges, have been completed on the Tom's Harbor Cut Historic Bridge near mile marker 62 oceanside. Each platform is 20 feet long and stretches 10 feet over the water.

The platforms provide room for anglers to lay out their gear, more fishing spots for individual anglers and safe casting areas. At the same time, the main bridge span remains unobstructed for cyclists and pedestrians.

Tom's Harbor Cut Historic Bridge, which is part of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, is the first of the bridges to be fitted with the fishing platforms. Plans are in the works to construct fishing platforms on the Upper Keys railroad bridges that are part of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.

The trail, which is to run the entire length of the Keys, is being designed to provide a safe place for recreation and non-motorized connections between homes, businesses and schools.

Reference: http://www.fla-keys.com/ No affiliation, usual disclaimers.

[chomper]

Looks like a good idea.

[Steve]

Those are a crazy idea and they present other challenges.
When you have someone fishing along the main rail, the person can throw across the other's line quite easily. It's more likely because when you fish the cuts, the current is really ripping through and there will be more casts. Will it keep someone off the main area of the bridge? Yeah, sure it will, but who cares? There is plenty of room for someone to walk or ride a bike through even if people are tossing from both sides.

I see it as a waste of money, perhaps they could spend the money on some extra trash cans. The cans already there get filled pretty quickly, maybe another trip with the trash truck and extra cans would help.

When I fish the cuts from the bridges, I toss up current and let it ride back to just under the bridge. Or, the other side down current and bring it back. What is that little section going to do to help? Nothing.....

Maybe spend the money ripping out those dadburn sticky burrs, man, they hurt! How about taking the top off the RR bridge and fix the deck? What about cleaning up the 7 mile bridge, that thing is literally falling into the water.
There are so many other projects that would actually help, like cleaning up the glass at the Vaca Cut!!!!!!
Fishing platforms, ROTFLMAO!!!!