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. Florida keys snorkeling best snorkeling in the keys. Marathon florida keys fishing report captain chris johnson, seasquared charters december 28, 2010 our good client, jerry moore, escapes western pennyslvania every christmas to spend some. Only warm tropical waters full of fish waiting to be caught. How to fish the patch reefs in the winter bullbuster. Fishing the patch reefs and inshore rock piles in the lower florida keys. Maybe you would like to take a look at the shallow water patch reefs that are just offshore of the keys. Patch reefs are small coral reef formations inside of the main barrier reef. The outer reefs in the florida keys act like the great barrier reef sheltering the inner reefs from the full force of ocean conditions. Patch reefs are located in shallow waters of 1020 feet 36 m in depth, within the florida reef tract. Your premier islamorada reef and wreck fishing charter. You will most likely hook into some mutton snapper or even a grouper. The unified patch reef map provides a continuous and consistent spatial representation of individual and aggregated patch reefs in southeast florida and the florida keys.
The patch reefs deliver for first time anglers in the florida keys. 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. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to know. 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. Catch and release is a good practice on these patch reefs, as it is anywhere in shallow water. Just looking for some atlantic patch reef fishing tips that would be easy to have the ladies enjoy. The best days to fish the patch reefs are on cooler windy days when we can not get outside the reef. Repeated fronts will continue to bring drastic weather variances throughout the winter and finally subside with the arrival of. This vibrant coral reef system is considered the backbone of all life in the florida keys.
Fishing the many different patch reefs that average 20 feet or so in depth is fantastic. It offers beautiful surroundings, terrific fishing opportunities and an unforgettable experience. This reef lies within a sanctuary preservation area spa. The waters off the florida keys arent quite like anywhere else in the world. A good option for days when we cannot travel outside the reef due to unfavorable sea conditions is to fish inside of the reefs. Closest to the keys is a sand ridge called white bank, covered by large beds of sea grass, with patch reefs scattered across it. May 25, 2017 you never know what you will catch of a reef. Repeated fronts will continue to bring drastic weather variances throughout the winter and finally subside with the arrival of spring. The florida reef consists of two ridges separated from the florida keys by the hawk channel. Concrete bridge spans long key bridge 5 patch reefs. Reef communities south florida aquatic environments. For this reason, the florida reef tract is more aptly referred to as a bank reef. Patch reefs are typically small the size of a backyard or a small home. Nov 12, 2017 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.
Many species of fish and other sea life are abundant on the patch reefs. How to fish patch reefs in the florida keys red rum. We will be targeting yellowtail snapper, hogfish, porgies, and groupers. Floridas reef contains over fifty species of corals comprising over eighty percent of all the coral reef species in the tropical western atlantic. Landward out to 3 miles along this arch lies some of the most productive reef fishing in the united states. Mar 22, 2018 when the winds pick up across the florida keys, inshore patch reef fishing can save yourself from a day at the dock. So come on down to the islands of marathon in the florida keys and book your fishing charter with us. Patch reef fishing florida keys for snapper off of key largo florida. Patch reef fishing can offer action year round, but when in the windy and cooler months decemberfebruary in the florida keys the patch reef fishing is at its peak. When selecting a patch reef, look for one with large ferns and little rock or structure preferrably 10 14 ft in depth. Many of the offshore and deeper wreck spots are too rough to. Coral you will see are brain coral, fire coral, fans. Capt blair wiggins travels to key largo florida to go fishing the patch reefs for snapper with capt tadd vandemark.
As i am writing this, another cold front is bearing down on the florida keys. We saw sea turtles, lots of smaller fish and a nurse shark. 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. The locations below are primarily artificial reefs and shipwrecks. I love fishing the patch reefs here in the florida. Teresa and ben were busy snapping away photos of anything of interest, while i toted the dive flag and applied some reef assessment training that nearshore reef experts have taught me over the years. The width of this ring of sand is determined by the distance that herbivorous fish feel is within safe foraging range from the reef. Dec 19, 2018 patch reef fishing can offer action year round, but when in the windy and cooler months decemberfebruary in the florida keys the patch reef fishing is at its peak.
Florida also has patch reefs, which grow in shallower water in between the reef tract and land. Ross gallagher shares his technqiues for shallow water jigging mutton snapper out of marathon. Experience angling adventures in the keys that you will remember for a lifetime. Floridas coral reefs florida department of environmental. A great trip for the beginner to the expert angler. Jan 07, 2020 coffins patch is a great place to go and snorkel. When spearfishing in the keys you have three areas to chose from.
Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to. Bringing a few of my semi experienced fishing buddies, along with all our wivesgirlfriends. For example, at pillar coral patch dozens of intact pillar coral heads thrust their fuzzy polyps to snare passing nutrients. Reefs such as bathtub reef are not coral reefs, such as the stunning patch reefs and spurandgrove reefs in the florida keys. Patch reef park aims to provide full accessibility to our programs, services, and activities unless doing so changes the fundamental nature of the program, service or activity or it creates an undue administrative or financial burden. Many species of fish and other sea life are abundant on.
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. Patch reef fishing 2 miles offshore from marathon key, fl. Tips on fishing floridas inshore patch reefs florida mangrove snapper my best friend and fishing buddy always responds to my request to go offshore fishing or deep dropping off our south florida waters with the same linewhen the seas are a bit flatter we can get out there. Snorkeling the patch reef captain b will take you to the patch reefs off newfound harbor.
This area also includes the phenomenal fishing of alligator reef off islamorada. Florida keys patch reef fishing seasquared charters. Sharks are also a nocturnal feeding reef fish here in islamorada, so you are almost certain to encounter sharks on your night reef fishing trip here in the florida keys. The outer edge of each patch reef is surrounded by a halo of sand that extends out to adjacent seagrass beds. The middle keys gps numbers include florida bay on the bay side and the atlantic ocean out to the. The keys upper monroe county gps coordinates reefs. When the winds pick up across the florida keys, inshore patch reef fishing can save yourself from a day at the dock. Start off with a heavy spinng reel with 20 25 lb test mono with no leader and 50 eagle claw long shank hooks. Florida keys patch reef mutton snapper the intrepid angler. 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. Just ducky charters is geared towards small fishing or snorkeling parties. The reefs of the keys are typically spur and groove formations, made up of a series of ridges and channels.
Florida keys reef and wreck fishing if you want lots of action, a variety of fish, in a variety of sizes and meat for the table, then reef and wreck fishing is for you. Fishing patch reefs are a good way to start out fishing in the keys,and learn the techniques of florida keys fishing. The florida keys is comprised of a 120 mile long arch of islands. The middle keys monroe county gps coordinates reefs. Often times, when we get cold fronts here it will blow very hard from the north for days at a time. Reef fishing bamboo charters florida keys fishing tours. Where to go spearfishing in the florida keys when freediving.
Coffins patch is a shallow coral reef patch reef located within the florida keys national marine sanctuary. This is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a great day on the atlantic waters just off of marathon key, florida. Keys patch reefs and wrecks produce a wide variety of species, including this big african pompano. Patch reef at northern edge fknms ok to fish 3 buoys. 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. Monroe county upper keys gps numbers includes florida bay, everglades national park, biscayne.
Every fall and winter season arrives on the rails of the cold front freight train. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys. Fish patch reefs in cold weather florida keys weekly. The outer reefs in the florida keys act like the great barrier reef sheltering the. Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas and no more then 30 feet deep, you can. 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. Reef fishing in the keys presents all sorts of opportunities. Along the florida keys barrier reef there are tons of spots to fish, usually with a few minutes drive from shore. From our dock at the island fish company restaurant we offer inshore, offshore, patch reef, wreck, flats, and everglades. Key largo reef fishing florida keys sport fishing charters. Its home to over 500 different species of fish and 1,400 species of marine life. The shallow patch reefs of the coffins patch sanctuary preservation area spa, located approximately four nautical miles off key colony beach, offer some of. Click on a location on the map to see its description and coordinates, or scroll down to the list to see all the details. Winter time fishing angling adventures florida keys fishing.
Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas and no more then 30 feet deep, you can see small nurse sharks, barracuda, rays even eels. Florida keys patch reef fishing nuttin but groupers duration. The unified patch reef map was created by extracting patch reef features from several maps throughout the keys including noaa, nova southeastern university nsu, national. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys fishing trips. 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. Florida and the 120 mile stretch of the florida keys has the only living barrier coral reef in the continental united states.
Reef fishing in the florida keys can be summed up in one word incredible. Personally, it is my favorite type of fishing, i love bottom fishing and depending on the depth of water you often. Coffins patch this is not a single reef but a conglomerate of six distinct patch reefs, each with a unique identity defined by a predominant coral species. Nov 28, 2014 as i am writing this, another cold front is bearing down on the florida keys. 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. Grecian rocks, french reef, molasses reef, conch reef, and alligator reef are also shown.
Then we can spend the second half of the same trip exploring the waters of florida bay and the everglades national park. The winter and early spring provide excellent patch reef fishing. Patch reef fishing easy adventures boat tours islamorada. If you have the need to accommodate a larger group please call, as we may be able to refer you to some of our associates in the area. Fishing the reefs off marathon in the keys florida sportsman. Coral reefs of the florida keys reef relief founders. May 19, 2018 florida keys patch reef fishing nuttin but groupers duration. Coral you will see are brain coral, fire coral, fans, sea rods, soft corals and finger sponge. 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. Keep what you plan to eat without freezing, and come back another day when you run out. 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. It is a short ride to the amazing coral reefs of 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.
We will be fishing the sandy rocky, and grassy patch bottom of the atlantic ocean from 1 to 5 miles offshore. Tangs, jacks, stingrays, nurse sharks, grouper, lobster, butterflyfish, and the curious moray all call coffins. The great coral reefs of the florida keys are the only true coral reefs in the continental waters of the united states. Home to the only living coral barrier reef in north america, and the third largest living coral. For some of the easiest, surefire fishing to be had in winter in florida, motor out to the keys. Try fishing the patches in the hawk channel next trip to the keys.
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