The crystalline waters of the atlantic ocean reveal a marine wilderness comprised of an extensive spurandgroove coral complex and numerous welldeveloped patch reefs. A fishing reef is a place where marine life congregate and thrive. If you prefer, you can have just as much fun taking one of the many marathon tarpon charters out into deeper waters where a mixture of chumming, trolling, and casting with whole live mullet or crabs ought to get the job done. Marathon is a beautiful place to vacation year round with a relaxing atmosphere and plenty of activities to keep anyone busy. Often times, when we get cold fronts here it will blow very hard from the north for. How to fish the patch reefs in the winter bullbuster. Diving and snorkeling in the florida keys gulf view. The inshore waters and reefs along fort lauderdale. Up on the bay the snapper fishing has been phenomenal. Keys patch reefs and wrecks produce a wide variety of species, including this big african pompano. Its home to over 500 different species of fish and 1,400 species of marine life. One of the largest spur and groove reef formations in the florida keys, sombrero key reef features lovely fingers of lettuce and brain coral, with lush stands of gorgonians and brilliant forests of elkhorn coral separated by white, sandy valleys.
Patch reefs are isolated coral heads inside the reef, which are very abundant in numbers and hold fish very well. Often times, when we get cold fronts here it will blow very hard from the north for days at a time. Nov 28, 2014 during the warmer months they are usually overlooked and are only a source of bait for other species but in the winter they become a wealth of great bites and some pretty good catches on a day when most other areas are inaccessible. 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. East washerwoman shoal and other patch reefs in hawk. The reef at marathon waterfront villas in the heart of. Sombrero reef marathon 2020 all you need to know before. Another wreck site which is not well documented with gps coordinate availability is flaglers barge. The stake is roughly 400 feet by 75 feet oval shaped patch reef is the best known and most frequented of the coffins patch group. Take a day trip from miami to key west, the southernmost city in the united states, without renting a car or having to drive. 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 florida reef consists of two ridges separated from the florida keys by the hawk channel. 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. Florida keys patch reef mutton snapper the intrepid angler. 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. Coral charters reef fishing charters in marathon, florida keys. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to know. And when it comes to diving, there are dozens of incredible spots near marathon. Our waterfront villas are situated right on the gulf of mexico and comfortably sleep up to 6 people with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a queen sleeper sofa in the living room. Marathon is called the heart of the florida keys and features the 7 mile bridge, sombrero beach, crane point, pigeon key and marathon airport. Concrete bridge spans long key bridge 5 patch reefs. Little, if any, displacement of users will occur since other patch reefs in the area will remain open for use. 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. Florida keys coral reefs coral reefs of the florida keys.
Tips on fishing floridas inshore patch reefs outdoors guy. This is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a great day on the atlantic waters just off of marathon key, florida. The middle keys monroe county gps coordinates reefs. You will be able to catch many different species of fish and enjoy the wonders of this type of angling. The mosquito bank and hen and chickens patch reefs are located off the upper keys benthic ecosystems for tile 1 and tile 2. The range of snorkeling available is limitless with a number of great shallow sites. 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.
Marathon florida keys vacation planning is a breeze with, the official tourism site of the florida keys. 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. The reef at marathon is located in the heart of the keys facing the gulf of mexico. Google earth fishing florida keys reef overview youtube. Florida keys snorkeling best snorkeling in the keys.
Some tropical fish collecting occurs within and around the reef. 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. 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. Many species of fish and other sea life are abundant on the patch reefs. West washerwoman off the lower keys is by far the largest midchannel cluster of patch reefs benthic ecosystems for tile 6. How to catch monster snapper on florida keys patch reefs. Marathon florida vacation planning monroe county tdc. Fishing the many different patch reefs that average 20 feet or so in depth is fantastic. This vibrant coral reef system is considered the backbone of all life in the florida keys. 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. Ross gallagher shares his technqiues for shallow water jigging mutton snapper out of marathon. Founded in 2004, a deep blue dive center has built a reputation for catering to groups both small and large. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys fishing. Patch reef fishing 2 miles offshore from marathon key, fl.
The area around marathon fl keys and further south towards key west fl, is densely populated with an assortment of popular pier and bridge fishing spots. Another wreck site which is not well documented with. Florida keys mutton snapper florida and the 120 mile stretch of the florida keys has the only living barrier coral reef in the continental united states. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys fishing trips. Marathon s reefs offer great variety in coral formations and fish life. Offshore there is the marathon hump which attracts all kinds of feeding fish as well as the nearby gulfstream, which harbors the. 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.
Fishing the reefs off marathon in the keys florida sportsman. A lively reef, some coral and plenty of fish around. That deeper water running inside the reef goes from key west all the way north to fort lauderdale and beyond. Mar 20, 2020 the reef at marathon is located in the heart of the keys facing the gulf of mexico. 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 been during the summer. A shared community pool is available to you, it is located a minute or. Bringing a few of my semi experienced fishing buddies, along with all our wivesgirlfriends. Lets take a few moments to look at just a handful of marathons best dive sites. Personally, it is my favorite type of fishing, i love bottom fishing and depending on the depth of water you often. Experience angling adventures in the keys that you will remember for a lifetime.
February 20, 2015 chuck fish and fishing, fl keys, live 5. The artificial reefs database is sorted by deployment date, if available. The great coral reefs of the florida keys are the only true coral reefs in the continental waters of the united states. 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. Patch reefs of east and west turtle and east washerwoman shoals lie off the middle keys figs. Fish patch reefs in cold weather florida keys weekly.
Top 10 marathon, fl fishing charters for 2020 fishingbooker. Diving middle keys explore wrecks of marathon florida. 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. 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 marathon fl marathon fl snorkeling tours. Marathon fishing is also popular for its good access to bridge and pier fishing. Middle keys reefs and shipwrecks florida go fishing. 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. Mar 21, 2012 keys patch reefs and wrecks produce a wide variety of species, including this big african pompano. Where to go spearfishing in the florida keys when freediving. The patch reefs offer awesome light tackle fishing in the winter months. Just a few minutes from our dock in marathon is one of the most beautiful coral reefs on the planet.
Marathon fl fishing charters marathon hump, gulfstream. 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. 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. Several snorkelboats leave duckkey and marathon for daily trips to nearby reefs. Charter fishing the reefs off of marathon in the florida keys is nothing but a hop, skip, and a jump from land. Snorkeling is fantastic at numerous nearby reefs and state marine parks coffin patch reef, sombrero reef. 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. Marathon fl, united states member since november 2018. The reef at marathon waterfront villas in the heart of the. How to fish patch reefs in the florida keys red rum. If you know the south florida fishing channel, then you know heiko winkler loves to do some patch reef fishing. For example, at pillar coral patch dozens of intact pillar coral heads thrust their fuzzy polyps to snare passing nutrients. Florida keys artificial reefs islamorada sport fishing. Snorkeling in marathon fl is a once in a life time experience you dont want to miss.
Dec 19, 2018 in this podcast i talk about how to fish the patch reefs in the florida keys. The patch reefs are in hawks channel between the keys and the reef. The water is crystal clear and often times you will see hundreds of fish feeding off the chum right behind the bo. For some of the easiest, surefire fishing to be had in winter in florida, motor out to the keys.
The deep reef is the only thing i think will be slow as the yellowtails do not like the cooler water. Marathon is known for its explosive tarpon fishing, which is excellent on the flats and in certain channels. Fishing the patch reefs can achieve great results with relatively simple gear. 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. Upper keys office 305 3632957 91760 overseas highway tavernier fl 33070. Many of the offshore and deeper wreck spots are too rough to. Grab your gear and head out to the spur and groove reefs, as well as patch reefs ripe for exploration. Patch reef fishing angling adventures florida keys. Fishing in the florida keys off of marathon island with american fishing co. The patch reefs should be red hot as the shrimp should be running from the bay, and the shallow bite should really fire up. Some nice mangsyellowtail for dinner and stuff to keep the ladies busy catching. The florida keys are known for their beautiful reefs, and marathon is right in the heart of it all.
Florida keys reef and bottom fishing opportunities. 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. Snorkeling marathon fl marathon key snorkeling trips. Fishing the patch reefs along the south florida coast and the keys means bottom fishing with knocker rigs.
Its home to numerous species and is great for catching lots of fish all year long. 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. Marathons reefs offer great variety in coral formations and fish life. On the drive, pass over 42 bridges, including seven mile bridge, and 34 islands as you travel the overseas highway.
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. Fishing patch reefs are a good way to start out fishing in the keys,and learn the techniques of florida keys fishing. The fishing off of the florida keys can be amazing. Do not fish in, or boat through this particular protected area until you know the rules and regulations so, if you get a chance to fish any of these seamounts, florida keys fishing humps, take the day off and go. I included detailed patch reef fishing tackle and fishing tips. Diving middle keys off marathon florida, youll also encounter more of the doomed 1733 spanish treasure fleet. 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. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to. When spearfishing in the keys you have three areas to chose from. Well guys, i have my first boat its not much but i do have a 30 lb trolling motor for it please do not bash me im only and cant afford anything else this has always been my dream to own a boat i an currently building a deck im a fisherman i will post pictures soon. Marathon is home to dozens of incredible reefs, full of some of the most amazing aquatic life in the world. Do not fish in, or boat through this particular protected area until you know the rules and regulations.
East washerwoman shoal and other patch reefs in hawk channel. Explore your marathon fishing, dining, accommodations and watersports options here. Fishing the patch reefs and inshore rock piles in the lower florida keys. Bottom fishing for reef fish you can catch a variety of fish on our natural live reefs. Youll come face to face with shrimp, crabs, small fish, and beautiful reefs but look, dont touch. 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. This gives anglers an economical and different perspective for catching game fish seeking shelter. In this podcast i talk about how to fish the patch reefs in the florida keys. Marathon fl coffins patch reef youtube a calm day on the water in the florida keys. A lively reef, some coral and plenty of fish around courtesy of the boat crew feeding them.
Just looking for some atlantic patch reef fishing tips that would be easy to have the ladies enjoy. As seen from the air, marathon and the middle keys appear as emerald isles set amid a sea of turquoise. Patch reefs are plentiful with marine life seen from the surface, or you can dive down a bit and get a closer view. Closest to the keys is a sand ridge called white bank, covered by large beds of sea grass, with patch reefs scattered across it. Mm3 marathon hump west hump spearfishing ok in this area. Although coffins patch is fairly close to shore, it has the characteristics of an offshore patch reef system.
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