Southeast Tampa Bay Bridge Reef (ME0087)
Artificial reef Manatee County, Florida, Gulf side. About 50% of Old Skyway Bridge Span and Rubble, Started On 10/20/2011.
What bites on Southeast Tampa Bay Bridge Reef
Structure in 15 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 Southeast Tampa Bay Bridge Reef
In 15 ft, pay out about 95 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 133 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 Southeast Tampa Bay Bridge Reef
Tampa Bay fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Sarasota fishing report (16 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Tampa Bay, Site 01-07 Reefballs ME0082 | 163 yd | ENE | 15 ft |
| Southeast Tampa, 04-12 ME0072 | 0.1 mi | ENE | 14 ft |
| The Bulkhead Reef,04-12 ME0070 | 2.0 mi | W | 15 ft |
| Manatee River-Emerson Point,04-18 ME0071 | 2.1 mi | SE | 10 ft |
| Egmont Key Reef (Bay),#25 HI0043 | 4.9 mi | WNW | 18 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.