3 Mile South Reef, Site 'D'-01-9 (ME0043)
Artificial reef Manatee County, Florida, Gulf side. 20 Reef Balls-Bay Balls, 9 of 13 Drops This Grant.
What bites on 3 Mile South Reef, Site 'D'-01-9
Structure in 31 ft on the Gulf coast usually holds: Sheepshead, Mangrove snapper, Gag grouper, Spanish mackerel, Flounder. What is actually biting changes with the season, water temperature and tide — the day's plan for this reef has the bite window and what to target that day.
Anchoring on 3 Mile South Reef, Site 'D'-01-9
In 31 ft, pay out about 175 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 245 ft at 7:1 when it's blowing. Drop the anchor up-drift of the structure by about the same distance and fall back onto it. Before you drop, kill the engine for 60 seconds and watch your GPS track — that's your real drift, and it beats any forecast.
Today's fishing report near 3 Mile South Reef, Site 'D'-01-9
Sarasota fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Tampa Bay fishing report (23 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Mile South Reef, Site D ME0028 | 36 yd | ESE | 30 ft |
| 3 Mile South Reef, Site D ME0027 | 47 yd | SE | 30 ft |
| 3 Mile South Reef, Site 'D'-01-8 ME0044 | 63 yd | S | 31 ft |
| 3 Mile South Reef, Site 'D'-01-10 ME0051 | 107 yd | E | 31 ft |
| 3 Mile South Reef, Site D ME0025 | 125 yd | SSE | 30 ft |
Before you go
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change — check the current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules for the day you fish. Carry a descending device for reef fish you release.