Snapper fishing with a small boat extending from key biscayne all the way south to the northern most florida keys, anglers can expect a variety of species while patch reef fishing in miami. Fishing for mutton snapper in the florida keys can be great year round. Here you can fish the different artificial and natural reefs such as conch reef and pickles reef for hogfish, mangrove snapper, barracuda, grouper, blackfin and yellowtail tuna. How to fish the patch reefs in the winter bullbuster. Joe laoia, fishing aboard the foot fixer, fished the bunker pods west of the inlet and caught striped bass up to 34pounds last weekend. Backcountry fishing is a less expensive fishing trip than reef fishing, mostly from the fuel costs, and boat size. Snapper, grouper, mackerel, jacks, and more all provide light tackle action while patch reef fishing in miami. Landward out to 3 miles along this arch lies some of the most productive reef fishing in the united states. Looking for the ideal saltwater fishing patches to express yourself. These trips can branch out into a little bit more than just flats and backcountry fishing, as in, maybe going to a nearshore wreck or patch reef. I love fishing the patch reefs here in the florida keys, they always seem to. Captain jon uses light tackle rods and live bait for bottom, wreck and patch reef fishing. The patch reefs offer awesome light tackle fishing in the winter months. Recently, the reef fishing has been as good as it gets, especially for the big three.
While large predators certainly lurk near deep formations in the vicinity of impressive bottom contours, the shallow patch reefs you pass by en route to deeper waters also offer incredible action that. Ande pink mono is a great alternative to fluorocarbon leaders when fishing the florida keys reef. This is a great beginning for kids and the firsttime angler. A trip to the patch reefs can be a memorable event if planned out ahead of time. This is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a great day on the atlantic waters just off of marathon key, florida. Patch reef fishing offers an alternative on rough and windy days.
Reef rags tarpon life deep sea saltwater fis patch. Fishing both inside and outside the main reef is productive for many popular sportfish species. The tackle i prefer to use while fishing in the shallow waters of the patch reef is light spinning tackle in the 10 to 20 pound class. There are many different types of backcountry fishing trips key west has to offer. Youll be catching bait and fishing for ceros in the same spot. This approach to catching fish makes it much more of a sport and makes the angler develop skill to haul in their catch. Some of the techniques we use are trolling, kite trolling, deep dropping, bottom fishing, kite fishing, flatlining live baits, light tackle snapper fishing, patch reef fishing, cobia fishing sight fishing, and swordfishing offshore. The florida keys are the perfect fishing vacation spot. Fishing in patch reefs for snapper and grouper salt.
Florida keys reef and bottom fishing opportunities. The patch reef fishing was red hot this past winter, he told me as we set up on a patch almost within swimming distance of marathon. Join me for a day on the blue patch reef waters of the florida keys. When the winds pick up across the florida keys, inshore patch reef fishing can save yourself from a day at the dock. And it provides an ideal platform for both experienced anglers to test their light tackle skills, and for children and beginners to learn the ins and outs of saltwater fishing. This type of fishing provides for fantastic action and a wide variety of species, great for families of all ages from children to adult. 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. A variety of snappers, several grouper species, cero mackerel, kingfish, tuna, wahoo, and sailfish can all be targeted with various strategies on reef fishing trips. I love fishing the patch reefs here in the florida keys, they always seem to hold. When islamorada fishing, reef and wreck fishing and deep sea fishing in the atlantic rate high with serious sport fishermen. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys. The patch reefs offer calmer water on these windy days and the end result is a. Patch reefs are isolated, relatively small growths of coral that typically occur on the bottoms of nearshore shallows around key west. In less than 20 minutes youll see them way back feeding on your chum.
Like the main reef, the patch reefs hold many species of fish and offer great fishing. The best fishing spots in the keys and how to fish them. And believe it or not, the ceros will come to your chum as well. Reef fishing in the keys presents all sorts of opportunities. The vids center around useful tactics, techniques, and tips relating to saltwater fishing.
Patch reef fishing is one of the most exciting types of fishing due to the variety of fish species to catch and this can be some of the most nonstop action with the proper techniques. This round, upcropping is full of nooks, crannies, and holes and is a perfect home for grouper and other bottom species. Just looking for some atlantic patch reef fishing tips that would be easy to have the ladies enjoy. You can see all the videos in one place at salt water sportsmans video page. Patch reef fishing florida keys for snapper off of key largo florida. Head out to the nearest patch reef in 1525 of clear water, anchor up and start a chum line. Fishing the reefs off marathon in the keys florida sportsman. When the winds howling across the florida keys, light tackle jigging over shallow patch reefs can save the day. Mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, gag grouper, black grouper, goliath grouper. Offshore, patch reef, gulf and bay, back county, everglades, the flamingo, and bridges are all active destinations for the largest fishing fleet. You can fish to the north on the key largo patch reefs, or just 3 miles offshore at the islamorada reefs or travel south to the marathon reefs.
Bringing a few of my semi experienced fishing buddies, along with all our wivesgirlfriends. Premium grade fishing tackle for deep drop, offshore. When the topic of reef fishing is brought up in conversation most anglers immediately think of bouncing sinkers in 100 feet or more. Plus they can be as close as two miles from shore making travel time less and fishing time more. The winter and early spring provide excellent patch reef fishing. Light tackle, small reefs, but big fun and lots of. Whether youre building your own fishing lures and gear, or you just want the best deals in tackle, weve got you covered. Personally, it is my favorite type of fishing, i love bottom fishing and depending on the depth of water you often have a shot at many different pelagic species also. A reef patch south of tavernier key holds a good number of mutton, mangrove, and. Fishing the many different patch reefs that average 20 feet or so in depth is fantastic. This is the most common type of fishing equipment used to catch fish in south florida. The patches are isolated coral heads, rubble and rock piles located in depths of 1030ft. Florida keys patch reef mutton snapper the intrepid angler.
Patch reef fishing in miami double threat charters. Patch reef fishing 2 miles offshore from marathon key, fl. A patch reef in 40 feet of water may be thirty feet in diameter and the water depth on top of the patch may be only 10 to 15 feet deep. Few florida fish are as colorful as mutton snapper. Youll be bottom fishing in calm, sheltered water 10 feet to 30 feet deep for snapper, grouper, yellowtail, hogfish, porgies, grunts, jacks, mackerel and barracuda, to name just a. 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. Youll have numerous options for fishing available, depending on how far out you want to go.
The reef site incorporates the remains of a former navy degaussing station, features a range of reef materials, has diverse surrounding bathymetry, and is a modest run from multiple boat ramps. Marathonkeymuttonsnapper1024x576 florida keys patch reef mutton snapper how. 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. 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. Light tackle fishmonster charters key west fishing. A patch reef layout typical for many vmrc fish havens, it has many individual structures in close proximity to each other. Once all the fish are eating in the chum line anglers will take their live or cut bait and toss it in the schools of fish. At barlows, we have an unmatched selection of lure parts, lure building supplies, and finished tackle. Inshorepatchreef reels all rods are just regular stocks. We offer a wide variety of fishing including bottom fishing on wrecks, kite fishing on the reefsedge for sails, and snapper fishing on the patch reefs. Numerous patch reefs are located within 20 minutes of the club. On a typical day we will fish for several types of fish.
By choosing a targeted species you have to have the correct bait, tackle and look for the right kind of patch for the species your fishing for. Fishing patch reefs are a good way to start out fishing in the keys,and learn the techniques of florida keys fishing. Ross gallagher shares his technqiues for shallow water jigging mutton snapper out of marathon. Light tackle fishing angling adventures florida keys. We do this by anchoring on either side and chumming. It is a great fishery to catch some of the best eating fish available. Patch king series fishing hooks vanguard wolfe fishing. Its home to over 500 different species of fish and 1,400 species of marine life. This fishing spot was added to the database on 2242016 4. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys fishing trips. Like the name implies, reef fishing is done around the coral reef itself, only a few miles offshore.
This vibrant coral reef system is considered the backbone of all life in the florida keys. We specialize in fishing hooks and fishing tackle for deep drop fishing, offshore bottom fishing and trolling, patch reef fishing tackle and inshore fishing tackle for popular game fish species such as grouper, snapper, swordfish, tilefish, barrel fish, goliath grouper, dolphinmahi, cobia, trout, redfish, yellowtail snapper, kingfish, spanish mackerel and many more. Our local fishing scene if you are ever in the area for a fishing trip or holiday you will find some useful information on hot fishing spots in our local area for rock fishing, beach fishing, game fishing, reef fishing and river fishing with fishing reports of each of the main local fishing areas updated regularly, you will find that we at ocean storm fishing. Try fishing the patches in the hawk channel next trip to the keys. Due to relatively shallow water and close proximity to biscayne bay, even small boats can get in on the action that these limestone areas have to offer. Patch reef fishing good karma sportfishing charters.
Learn the best saltwater fishing knots to use with your fishing tackle. Capt blair wiggins travels to key largo florida to go fishing the patch reefs for snapper with capt tadd vandemark. Florida keys reef and wreck fishing key west fishing charters. Always keep an eye out for the ballyhoo to make an appearance in the slick and have the cast net handy. The main goal of this type of fishing is to bring the fish out of the reef and into the sand either in front or behind. This is typical patch reef fishing all found 2 miles or less from shore here in marathon, florida.
In this podcast i talk about how to fish the patch reefs in the florida keys. Many types of reef or wreck fishing around islamorada can produce trophy mutton snapper and we catch them patch reef fishing in the shallow waters, bottom fishing on the reef while yellow tail snapper fishing or dropping on wrecks in deeper water with live or dead baits. I do pretty well in the bay during the summer, but patch reef fishing is pretty much a nighttime activity during the hot months in my many years, i have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame,two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress. Some nice mangsyellowtail for dinner and stuff to keep the ladies busy catching. And it was always changing from one day to the next. Fisherman and divers travel from all over the world to experience this gorgeous coral reef. They sell them at most bait and tackle stores in the florida keys.
An artificial or natural reef that attracts fish can be found here. Patch reefs are small coral reef formations inside of the main barrier reef. Fire island reef hot sea bass spot sea bass season opens and anglers are enjoying the action. Fishing on the coral reefs in the keys is done by anchoring the boat over specific marked spots and chumming up the fish to the back of the boat.
Light tackle for snapper, grouper, hogfish, porgies, sheephead, yellowtail and mackerel. There are not many spots on this planet that can offer the diverse fishing available in islamorada. I truly enjoy patch reef fishing because you never know what will bite. Grunts, silver porgies, hogfish, groupers, mangrove and mutton snappers are just a few of the many species of fish to be found on patch reefs. Florida keys, inshore patch reef fishing can save yourself from a day at the dock. Catch and release is a good practice on these patch reefs, as it is anywhere in shallow water.
In shallower waters, the patch reefs offer a lot of action. I included detailed patch reef fishing tackle and fishing tips. Whether youre fishing saltwater flats with light tackle or deepsea fishing using heavy tackle, many of the same techniques apply. The majority of the patch reefs lie across the hawk channel and just inshore of the main living coral barrier reef that extends along the southern edge of the keys. In this post, brownlee discusses fishing in patch reefs. 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. 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. The first decision you need to make is what is your targeted species. Clients have the opportunity to catch several different fish species on patch reef fishing trips, including famous keys scallywags throwback inedible fish or undersize fish that. Although i like the lighter tackle, the variety of species and sizes fishing the patch reefs makes me lean to the heavier side. Key west reef fishing key west reef and wreck fishing. Saltwater fishing tackle ranges from tiny shad jigs to giant shark hooks.