Charter fishing the reefs off of marathon in the florida keys is nothing but a hop, skip, and a jump from land. Grecian rocks, french reef, molasses reef, conch reef, and alligator reef are also shown. Here you will find an assortment of yellowtail, lane and mangrove snapper, nice size muttons plus lots of hogfish and porgy. Hop on a boat to coffins patch, four nautical miles off key colony beach, for some of the best snorkeling in the middle keys. Marathon reef site bridge rubble, 100 deep gps coordinates. On the key largo patch reefs you can find mangrove snapper. If you dont mind bagging a mixed batch and really, who does. Its not uncommon to catch a variety of different species in one day. With our temperatures beginning to cool off it is again time to hit the patch reefs. The middle keys monroe county gps coordinates reefs. Fishing the many different patch reefs that average 20 feet or so in depth is fantastic. Florida keys angling adventures marathon fishing charters.
Florida keys snorkeling best snorkeling in the keys. The best keys snorkeling is by far the middle keys. East washerwoman shoal and other patch reefs in hawk. Reef fishing charter fishing the reefs off of marathon in the florida keys is nothing but a hop, skip, and a jump from land. We enjoyed sightcasting for big winter barracuda on the patch reefs with sixpound class tackle my largest on that line class was a 31pounder, yellowtailing, deepjigging and livebaiting along the reefs, and, of course, trolling and runningandgunning for dolphin offshore. In this podcast i talk about how to fish the patch reefs in the florida keys. These are the best spots to snorkel in the florida keys. Our files contain artificial and natural reefs, buoys, ledges, rocks, shipwrecks, and many other types of structures that hold fish, in a 100 miles radius of marathon. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to know.
With 20 pound tackle and live baits catching these large snapper can really put up a great fight. Patch reefs are small coral reef formations inside of the main barrier reef. Jul 03, 2016 fishing in the florida keys off of marathon island with american fishing co. These fishing tips will probably work on any patch reef in the florida keys. 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. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to. 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. Light tackle, small reefs, but big fun and lots of action. There are not many spots on this planet that can offer the diverse fishing available in islamorada. Take a day trip from miami to key west, the southernmost city in the united states, without renting a car or having to drive. Light tackle, small reefs, but big fun and lots of. Heres a list of some of the popular florida keys fishing spots ranging from the north end of marathon key heading south towards key west. Mm3 marathon hump west hump spearfishing ok in this area.
When you go to the patch reefs bring some hair hooks, tiny hooks. East washerwoman shoal and other patch reefs in hawk channel. This is typical patch reef fishing all found 2 miles or less from shore here in marathon, florida. Concrete bridge spans long key bridge 5 patch reefs. The locations below are primarily artificial reefs and shipwrecks. For some of the easiest, surefire fishing to be had in winter in florida, motor out to the keys. Silly snapper fishing on the patch reefs for michiganders.
The patch reefs are in hawks channel between the keys and the reef. He eventually found them over a structure in about 200 feet of water. With lovely patch reefs everywhere, and numerous dive operators to choose from, plus plenty of great shore dives, marathon is a great place to escape from the cares of everyday life, for divers new and experienced alike. Nov 28, 2014 patch reefs are isolated coral heads inside the reef, which are very abundant in numbers and hold fish very well. Fishing the reefs off marathon in the keys florida sportsman. Fishing the patch reefs and inshore rock piles in the lower florida keys. Reef fishing charters in marathon, florida keys coral. So come on down to the islands of marathon in the florida keys and book your fishing charter with us. Usually, you can catch small bait fish like ballyhoo on the patch reefs. A lively reef, some coral and plenty of fish around courtesy of the boat crew feeding them.
How to fish patch reefs in the florida keys red rum. 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. 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. 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. The patch reefs and hawk channel are really coming into their own with the cooling waters. Opportunity for rentals or purchase of dive or snorkel equipment can be found at many. You will be able to catch many different species of fish and enjoy the wonders of this type of angling. Ballyhoo are small beaked bait fish, ranging from about 7 14 inches long. Patch reefs stick up off that flat bottom sometimes as much as 15 to 20 feet. 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. Situated near the midpoint of the gulf stream produces an endless stream of strong currents. You will be able to catch many different species of fish and enjoy the wonders.
The middle keys gps numbers include florida bay on the bay side and the atlantic ocean out to the straights of florida including long key to marathon between longitude 80 45 and 81 09. Hunting mutton and grouper off the marathon bottom. From every variety of snapper lane, mangrove, mutton, and yellowtail to grouper of all kinds, hogfish and loads of spanish mackerel, the list goes on and on. Mangrove snapper fishing is another very popular species to fish for in the florida keys.
It includes the entire patch reef and some of the rubble field behind the main reef. Dave spent the early part of the day hopping from wreck to wreck and patch reef to patch reef, briefly prospecting each one with baits before moving on in search of hungry fish. Where to go spearfishing in the florida keys when freediving. Informational guide to the different ways of fishing florida keys patch reefs. The water is crystal clear and often times you will see hundreds of fish feeding off the chum right behind the bo.
Lets take a few moments to look at just a handful of marathons best dive sites. The spa is rectangular and covers an area of approximately 0. Only warm tropical waters full of fish waiting to be caught. Offshore of the middle keys there are several examples of both outside spur and groove reefs as well as patch reefs. Bottomfishing in the florida keys salt water sportsman. Youll be fishing anywhere from 20 feet of water on the patch reefs out to a little over 100 feet for. The overall area is composed of 6 different reefs, each sporting a predominantly different coral. 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. They are very common on the patch reefs and make great bait live or dead. Jan 09, 2012 this is typical patch reef fishing all found 2 miles or less from shore here in marathon, florida. Just a few minutes from our dock in marathon is one of the most beautiful coral reefs on the planet. On the drive, pass over 42 bridges, including seven mile bridge, and 34 islands as you travel the overseas highway. Captains blog february 23, 2010 marathon florida keys the typical winter mixed bag is showing on the patch reefs and channel humps.
Just looking for some atlantic patch reef fishing tips that would be easy to have the ladies enjoy. Click on a location on the map to see its description and coordinates, or scroll down to the list to see all the details. Youll be fishing anywhere from 20 feet of water on the patch reefs out to a little over 100 feet for big yellowtail and other snapper and grouper. Lets take a few moments to look at just a handful of marathon s best dive sites. Keys patch reefs and wrecks produce a wide variety of species, including this big african pompano. You can fish shallow on the patch reefs or head to the deeper reefs in 100 to 150 feet. You also have a good selection of wrecks and other artificial reefs when marathon fishing. They are located in the waters off islamorada matecumbe key, marathon vaca. How to catch monster snapper on florida keys patch reefs. Fish patch reefs in cold weather florida keys weekly. The best way to find the most productive patch reefs is to troll in and around the areas with small lures. I usually start frequenting these areas just after the time change and will fish them hard until the tarpon return to the harbor in the spring. The area is easily accessible, but no mooring buoys are currently in place.
When it comes to florida keys snorkeling and novice diving, coffins patch, a reef at marathon, is an amazing florida keys dive site. Fishing for mangrove snapper is done on the patch reefs and the deep reefs all along the florida keys. 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 patch reefs offer awesome light tackle fishing in the winter months. The middle keys gps numbers include florida bay on the bay side and the atlantic ocean out to the straights of florida including long key to marathon. Fishing patch reefs are a good way to start out fishing in the keys,and learn the techniques of florida keys fishing. For that matter, coral patch reefs pepper coastal waters in the opposite direction, as far north as fowey rocks off key biscayne. Patch reefs at east washerwoman shoal and elsewhere in the middle of hawk channel off the middle and lower keys formed on its landward edge lidz et al. How to fish the patch reefs in the winter bullbuster. Marathon patch reef grouper catch and cook youtube. Indistinguishable from the rest of hawk channel in aerial photos, this trough is the second of two on the inner shelf that constitute new coral reef nuclei in the florida reef record. The area is easily accessible, but no mooring buoys are currently in. I included detailed patch reef fishing tackle and fishing tips.
Long key reefs bridge spans and concrete, 24 deep gps coordinates. This is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a great day on the atlantic waters just off of marathon key, florida. Today we fish with heiko and caitlin from the south florida fishing channel for grouper and snapper on the patch reef off marathon. These underwater wildernesses offer a great variety of coral formations, fish life and invertebrates. For example, at pillar coral patch dozens of intact pillar coral heads thrust their fuzzy polyps to snare passing nutrients.
Mar 21, 2012 keys patch reefs and wrecks produce a wide variety of species, including this big african pompano. Marathon fishing charters marathon fishing charters. Offshore, patch reef, gulf and bay, back county, everglades, the flamingo, and bridges are all active destinations for the largest fishing fleet. Dive concessions can be found at marathon s several dive shops, resorts, hotelsmotels, and marinas.
For fishing the patch reefs off my home in miami, i find this boat to be ideal for the methods i use and fish i target. The patch reefs found in south florida waters hold mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper various mackerel and grouper as well as many other species that pass through, including a variety of sharks and jacks. Often times, when we get cold fronts here it will blow very hard from the north for days at a time. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys fishing. The patch reefs deliver dinner for anglers 8 days a week.
Patch reefs are isolated coral heads inside the reef, which are very abundant in numbers and hold fish very well. Dec 19, 2018 in this podcast i talk about how to fish the patch reefs in the florida keys. A fishing reef is a place where marine life congregate and thrive. Yellowtail and mangrove snapper continue to be very active on our marathon area deep reefs and patch reefs, and the good news is that the great snapper action should continue for weeks to come. Would you associate this place or activity with entertainment. From a boat theyll appear as darker patches, similar to a cloud shadow. Other inshore and offshore patch reefs in the surrounding area remain open. Any halfdecent marathon fishing charter will be able to get you pulling in fish after fish, with various species of snapper and grouper swarming the. 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 in the florida keys off of marathon island with american fishing co. There are several wonderful little patch reefs that are about halfway between. Some nice mangsyellowtail for dinner and stuff to keep the ladies busy catching. Bringing a few of my semi experienced fishing buddies, along with all our wivesgirlfriends. 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. Captains blog february 2, 2010 marathon florida keys i had the pleasure of taking a group of michiganders out for some phenomenal patch reef fishing. The depth field is the depth of water in feet to the bottom in reef area, while relief is the height that the wreck rises above the bottom.
Its home to numerous species and is great for catching lots of fish all year long. Top 10 marathon, fl fishing charters for 2020 fishingbooker. As seen from the air, marathon and the middle keys appear as emerald isles set amid a sea of turquoise. Its home to myriad tropical fish, coral, and marine animals, and its where the spanish ship ignacio sunk in the 18th century. The bottom in the hawk channel is mostly sand or turtle grass, and its mostly flat. Many species of fish and other sea life are abundant on the patch reefs. 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. Key west fishing link 801 eaton st, key west, fl 33040 305 8536036. Diving and snorkeling in the florida keys gulf view. Weekly fishing report marathon fl seasquared charters. From our dock at the island fish company restaurant we offer inshore, offshore, patch reef, wreck, flats, and everglades fishing trips. 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.
Marathon diving marathon snorkeling key colony beach. We were inside the reef, in 15 feet of water, and we could look at the fishfinder screen and see big fish holding right off the bottom. The reef at marathon is a timeshare ownership community of waterfront villas available for rental and purchase. Some fishermen may still refer to this spot as the west hump. This is a great area for kids as there is usually loads of action. May 25, 2017 patch reefs stick up off that flat bottom sometimes as much as 15 to 20 feet. The third step is to explore the inner parts of the coral patch. Reef fishing charters in marathon, florida keys coral charters. The 10 best snorkeling spots in the florida keys coastal. Coffins patch this is not a single reef but a conglomerate of six distinct patch reefs, each with a. Patch reef fishing 2 miles offshore from marathon key, fl. I promised the guys a limit of mangrove snapper and we caught what could have been three or four limits.
On the atlantic side you have the benefit of offshore fishing the patch reefs and artificial reefs which produce an abundance of feisty florida fish throughout the year. Patch reefs are shallow coral and sea fan outcroppings on the top of the reef line. Marathon s reefs offer great variety in coral formations and fish life. I will be heading to marathon for a week and we will be renting a boat, my family and i have been 6 times before and have fishing experience at the patch reefs and other areas, but we have never.
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