How to fish it
Drift live baits down-current of the wreck. It is a popular dive site: watch for divers-down flags and use the mooring buoys.
Tide station: Alligator Reef, Hawk Channel. See today's tides and currents on the conditions page, or open this spot on the map.
What you can catch here
Greater amberjack
28" fork length minimum; 1 per person per day; closed in April; the same in federal waters. Reef fish gear rules apply.- Bait
- Live blue runners, goggle-eyes, pinfish or grunts dropped down to the wreck
- Tackle
- Heavy 50–80 lb conventional or jigging outfit, 65–80 lb braid
- Rig
- 6 ft of 80–100 lb fluorocarbon; 7/0–9/0 non-stainless circle hook with live bait; 8–16 oz sinker
Mutton snapper
18" total length minimum; 5 per person within the 10-snapper aggregate; open year-round. Reef fish gear rules apply.- Bait
- Live pilchards, ballyhoo or pinfish; a ballyhoo plug (head and tail cut off) or a squid strip on the bottom
- Tackle
- 7 ft medium spinning rod, 4000–5000 reel, 20–30 lb braid
- Rig
- 6–15 ft of 30–40 lb fluorocarbon; 4/0–6/0 non-stainless circle hook; 1–4 oz sliding sinker
Grouper (black & red)
Black and gag 24", red 20" total length minimum; 3 grouper per person per day with only 1 gag or black among them; black and red closed Jan 1 – Apr 30. Gag is closed from Aug 2, 2026 by FWC executive order (normally open May 1 – Aug 1). Reef fish gear rules and the State Reef Fish Angler designation apply.- Bait
- Live pinfish, grunts, blue runners or pilchards; whole or cut ballyhoo, mackerel or bonito
- Tackle
- Short, stout 50–80 lb conventional outfit with 65–80 lb braid and the drag locked down
- Rig
- 4–6 ft of 80–100 lb fluorocarbon; 7/0–9/0 non-stainless circle hook; 4–16 oz sliding sinker
Barracuda
15–36" fork length slot, with 1 fish over 36" per person or boat per day (whichever is less); 2 per person, 6 per boat; open year-round; applies in state and adjacent federal waters off Monroe County.- Bait
- Live pilchards, pinfish or ballyhoo, or a whole needlefish
- Tackle
- 7 ft medium spinning rod, 4000–5000 reel, 20–30 lb braid
- Rig
- 12–18 in of #4–#6 single-strand wire (their teeth cut mono); 2/0–4/0 hook
Cobia
36" fork length minimum; 1 per person per day and no more than 2 per boat, whichever is less; open year-round. The same limits apply in federal waters.- Bait
- Live pinfish, grunts, blue crabs or small eels; dead baits in a chum slick
- Tackle
- 7 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 6000–8000 reel, 30–50 lb braid
- Rig
- 3–4 ft of 50–60 lb fluorocarbon; 6/0–8/0 circle hook
Mangrove (gray) snapper
10" total length minimum and 5 per person within the 10-snapper aggregate in state waters (12" and 10 per person in federal waters); open year-round. Reef fish gear rules apply.- Bait
- Live shrimp, pilchards or small pinfish; cut ballyhoo or squid, with chum to bring them up
- Tackle
- 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 3000–4000 reel, 15–20 lb braid
- Rig
- 3–4 ft of 20–30 lb fluorocarbon (they are leader-shy); 1/0–2/0 non-stainless circle hook on a knocker or split-shot rig
Access
- Fished by
- Charter a boat; Bring your own boat
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Position
- About 24.8697, -80.5702 (FWC Artificial Reef Program list, DeployID MO0026 (accuracy: medium)).
Not for navigation. Positions are approximate. Use official charts, watch your depth and respect private property and posted signs.