Whale Key Reef SBEP2024 (ME0104)
Artificial reef Manatee County, Florida, Gulf side. 4 Prefabricated modules (4 ledge).
What bites on Whale Key Reef SBEP2024
Structure in 10 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 Whale Key Reef SBEP2024
In 10 ft, pay out about 70 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 98 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 Whale Key Reef SBEP2024
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 (25 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale Key 5 ME0092 | 38 yd | WSW | 10 ft |
| Whale Key 4 ME0088 | 61 yd | SW | 10 ft |
| Walker Reef (Bay) ST0080 | 0.7 mi | SSE | 12 ft |
| Walker Reef (Bay) ST0083 | 0.7 mi | SSE | 11 ft |
| Bayshore South 2 ME0090 | 0.8 mi | ENE | 11 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.