The outer reefs in the florida keys act like the great barrier reef sheltering the. Many of the offshore and deeper wreck spots are too rough to. Boating and angling guide to the middle keys, side b key colony beach to lower matecumbe, including marathon, key colony beach, duck key, and long key. The longterm resilience of inshore patch reef communities in comparison with offshore reefs of the florida keys suggests that these sites are important for understanding coral resilience potential and can be informative for reef management in an era of global change, especially if this site proves to be resistant to the regionwide disease. As seen from the air, marathon and the middle keys appear as emerald isles set amid a sea of turquoise. Patch reef fishing 2 miles offshore from marathon key, fl. This is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a great day on the atlantic waters just off of marathon key, florida. As most of the best snorkeling is at offshore reefs, key west snorkeling tours are the easiest way to explore the amazing underwater world of the keys.
Fishing florida keys fishing guides, charters of the florida keys. Between the main reef and shore, there are smaller patch reefs, they are usually in water less the twenty feet and are easily spottable, as long as there is even a little sunlight. Larger keys form a natural dam that restricts water flow from florida bay into the atlantic ocean, which in turn affects the distribution and development of coral reefs. The gps global positioning system, dgps differential gps, lor loran c or uk unknown entries in the gps field indicates which format the original coordinates were obtained if known. Here we have many shallow patch reefs, deeper bank reefs, and tons of natural and man made wrecks scattered in between. Located further toward the sea than the patch reefs of nearshore environments, bank reefs are significantly larger than patch reefs and are common dive and snorkel destinations.
How to fish patch reefs in the florida keys red rum. Patch reefs continue up through dade, broward and palm beach counties. Get a florida sportsman chart or a top spot chart for the middle keys. The reef is best for photography, but when spearfishing in the florida keys, the murky patch reefs will usually provide you with more to eat. The keys patch reefs produce more fish than any other reef system in the nation. When the winds pick up across the florida keys, inshore patch reef fishing can save yourself from a day at the dock. Rather, reefs such as bathtub are classified as nearshore hardbottom, a really understated way to describe habitats so important that theyre federally designated as habitat areas of particular concern hapc. Florida keys coral reefs coral reefs of the florida keys. Download scientific diagram location of the eight inshore patchreef sites in the florida keys united states investigated for this study. Your wife can relax as even the deeper reefs are only 37 miles offshore.
The great coral reefs of the florida keys are the only true coral reefs in the continental waters of the united states. Fishing the reefs off marathon in the keys florida sportsman. The latest fishing reports from the florida keys, from key largo, to islamorada, all the down to the southernmost city, key west. Mangrove snapper, mutton, yellowtail, grouper, mackerel, shark and barracuda. Fish shallow on the patch reefs in 15 35 ft of water or use the mid reefs to fish in 80 ft of water, venture out a bit farther to the humps and ledges to fish to depths. In this podcast i talk about how to fish the patch reefs in the florida keys. The florida keys reef system provides abundant fishing year round. So, if you get a chance to fish any of these seamounts, florida keys fishing humps, take the day off and go.
Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to. With depths of 10 to 40 feet, this area is frequented by advanced and novice divers alike. How to fish the patch reefs in the winter bullbuster. Snorkeling fishing combo charters islamorada florida keys. Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas and no more then 30 feet deep. Sites with buoys in florida keys national marine sanctuary. The artificial reefs database is sorted by deployment date, if. I love fishing the patch reefs here in the florida.
Earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa, johnson space center. Tips on fishing floridas inshore patch reefs outdoors guy. Location of the eight inshore patchreef sites in the florida keys. Every fall and winter season arrives on the rails of the cold front freight train. These data were developed to represent reef locationsnames in the florida keys. Patch reefs are small coral reef formations inside of the main barrier reef. As i am writing this, another cold front is bearing down on the florida keys. Florida keys snorkeling best snorkeling in the keys. Some considered the reef to be the third longest coral barrier reef in the world, after. Concrete bridge spans long key bridge 5 patch reefs. The middle keys monroe county gps coordinates reefs.
Sandy areas and grass beds provide a home to shrimp, crabs, small fish, anemone and conch. Keys patch reefs and wrecks produce a wide variety of species, including this big african pompano. Capt blair wiggins travels to key largo florida to go fishing the patch reefs for snapper with capt tadd vandemark. The winter and early spring provide excellent patch reef fishing. Do not fish in, or boat through this particular protected area until you know the rules and regulations. This vibrant coral reef system is considered the backbone of all life in the florida keys. The fishing off of the florida keys can be amazing. I included detailed patch reef fishing tackle and fishing tips. Experienced sea kayakers or those on popular guided tours can venture into the open ocean to snorkel over patch reefs at any of the lower keys. Patch reef fishing florida keys for snapper off of key largo florida. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys fishing trips.
Fish the florida keys from key largo to key west for yellow tail snapper, mutton snapper, grouper, mahi, blackfin tuna and sailfish in the florida keys. Catch and cook keys patch reef fishing i start this fishing trip looking for live bait, i dont find any in the key largo bay so decide to run offshore to the patch reefs just south of tavernier. The recent drop in temperature has brought the inshore patch reefs to life. Fishing patch reefs are a good way to start out fishing in the keys,and learn the techniques of florida keys fishing.
One of the best parts about fishing the inshore waters of south florida is the incredible system of patch reefs which hold an amazing array of species, and the best part is that you rarely have any competition for these areas. Florida keys patch reef mutton snapper the intrepid angler. Fishing the patch reefs along the south florida coast and the keys means bottom fishing with knocker rigs. The shallow patch reefs of the coffins patch sanctuary preservation area spa, located approximately four nautical miles off key colony beach, offer some of the best snorkeling in the middle keys.
From offshore coral reefs teeming with tropical fish to nearshore shipwrecks, here are 10 of the best places. Reefs such as bathtub reef are not coral reefs, such as the stunning patch reefs and spurandgrove reefs in the florida keys. Snorkel fishing charters bamboo charters docks their boats in islamorada, this location puts you in prime territory for both great fishing and snorkeling. Point locations were generated from the atlas and digitized in arcinfo at a 1. Where to go spearfishing in the florida keys when freediving. The 10 best snorkeling spots in the florida keys coastal. In this catch and cook fishing episode on the south florida fishing channel, heiko winkler will lay down some fishing tips he uses on how to. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys. Key west offers a snorkelers paradise of pristine reefs, intriguing wrecks and unique underwater structures alive with tropical fish and other fascinating marine life. These data were created in conjunction with the atlas of artificial reefs in florida 4th edition of the florida sea grant program. How to catch monster snapper on florida keys patch reefs. Key west reef fishing key west reef and wreck fishing.
For some of the easiest, surefire fishing to be had in winter in florida, motor out to the keys. Patch reefs around hawks cay and conch key florida sportsman. No coffins at coffins patch but it has great florida keys snorkeling when it comes to florida keys snorkeling and novice diving, coffins patch, a reef at marathon, is an amazing florida keys dive site. Most of the patch reefs are 5 to 15 feet deep and 100 feet or less in size, and most are accessable with a small boat. The patch reefs offer calmer water on these windy days and the end result is a. Coral reefs create specialized habitats that provide shelter, food, and breeding sites for numerous plants and animals. Florida keys patch reef fishing is a local term for fishing shallow water reefs, rock piles, coral heads and small ship wrecks inside the florida keys reef in 1040ft of water.
Click on the site name to view a map showing the location of buoys at various locations within florida keys national marine sanctuary or view a map showing all sites within the sanctuary that have buoys artificial reefs. Bottom fishing for reef fish you can catch a variety of fish on our natural live reefs. Fishing the patch reefs and inshore rock piles in the lower florida keys can be a lot of fun in the winter and can yield some tasty fish. Its home to over 500 different species of fish and 1,400 species of marine life. Mooring buoys in florida keys national marine sanctuary. Anchor upcurrent of the patches, chum, and fish in the sandy areas close to but outside of the patch. Patch reef fishing brings in all kinds of tasty and fun to catch fish including. In addition to the wellknown coffins patch and sombrero reef snorkeling spots, there are many other healthy and beautiful shallow water patch reefs close to marathon and duck key, fl.
It is against the law to disturb a conch or a coral. Offshore of the middle keys there are several examples of both outside spur and groove reefs as well as patch reefs. The florida keys are famous for their fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Florida keys fishing spots with over 500 fishing spots with gps coordinates for inshore patch reef fishing and offshore fishing spots in the florida keys from key largo, islamorada, marathon, big pine key, key west and all keys locations for reef fishing, bottom fishing and trolling. Hog snapper and groupers are the catch in less than 15 feet of water off the upper florida keys. These small patch reefs are a refuge for small fish, which in. They also form the perfect reef and wreck fishing spots, avid sport fishermen seek out. Bank reefs form an elongate, broken arc from miami south along the florida keys to the dry tortugas. Much of the ocean side of the florida keys is restricted in one. From offshore coral reefs teeming with tropical fish to nearshore adventures.
A chartered reef fishing trip is well worth it, because all you have to. In between key west and the primary reef line, there are dozens of patch reefs that captain pepe likes to fish when the south florida weather gets windy. Florida and the 120 mile stretch of the florida keys has the only living barrier coral reef in the continental united states. First, you have to make sure you are in an area where anchoring is permitted. The depth field is the depth of water in feet to the bottom in reef area, while relief is the height that the materials rise above the bottom in feet, if available. Fishing the patch reefs and inshore rock piles in the lower florida keys. This includes ones important to fishing like spiny lobster, snapper, and grouper. Boating and angling guide to the middle keys, side a little duck key to grassy key, including marathon,key colony beach, sombrero reef, and coffins patch. The holes and pockets that florida keys coral reefs and wrecks have, create the perfect hiding spots for fish to ambush their prey. The florida reef tract, composed of outer reefs and patch reefs, contains over fifty species of corals comprising over eighty percent of all the coral reef species in the tropical western atlantic and over one hundred fifty species of fish. These pockets also create cover where fish can hide from predators on the prowl. Reef and wreck fishing florida keys charter fishing. Closest to the keys is a sand ridge called white bank, covered by large beds of sea grass, with patch reefs scattered across it.
The same patch reefs and huge coral reef tracts that make great fishing are also the same reef systems that people come from around the world to see. Boulder coral, pillar coral, lobsters, eels, and jacks are some of the species divers can find along the group of six patch reefs that make up coffins patch, 3. Often times, when we get cold fronts here it will blow very hard from the north for days at a time. Fishing the many different patch reefs that average 20 feet or so in depth is fantastic. Reef communities south florida aquatic environments. A good option for days when we cannot travel outside the reef due to unfavorable sea conditions is to fish inside of the reefs. Many species of fish and other sea life are abundant on. Ecotourism in the florida keys offers backcountry tours of mangrove islands by kayak and great bird watching in the many marine sanctuaries. The patch reefs offer awesome light tackle fishing in the winter months. Repeated fronts will continue to bring drastic weather variances throughout the winter and finally subside with the arrival of.
The middle keys gps numbers include florida bay on the bay side and the atlantic ocean out to the. Coral reefs lay the foundation of a dynamic ecosystem. The outer reefs in the florida keys act like the great barrier reef sheltering the inner reefs from the full force of ocean conditions. The florida reef consists of two ridges separated from the florida keys by the hawk channel. Patch reef fishing offers an alternative on rough and windy days. When spearfishing in the keys you have three areas to chose from. The reef ecosystem of the florida keys consist of distinct habitat types. Further out to sea on the edge of the florida straits is the second ridge forming the outer reefs, covered by reefs and hard banks composed of. Florida keys patch reef fishing guide for tourists well if you have made the leap to renting a boat for your vacation in the florida keys, or even if you are just renting it for a day and you want to catch a bunch of fish, the first stop should be the patch reefs. Along the florida keys barrier reef there are tons of spots to fish, usually with a few minutes drive from shore. Also included in the show notes is a strike line charts under 3d sonar image of some good patch reef fishing spots off key largo. The locations below are primarily artificial reefs and shipwrecks. Florida is the only state in the continental united states with extensive shallow coral reef formations near its coasts.