Tree Barge (MI0045)
Artificial reef Martin County, Florida, Atlantic side. 141' X 36' X 8' Steel Barge, Funded by the County ($26,000).
What bites on Tree Barge
Structure in 182 ft on the South Florida reef tract usually holds: Black grouper, Mutton snapper, Amberjack, Vermilion snapper, Kingfish on the troll. 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 Tree Barge
In 182 ft, pay out about 930 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 1302 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 Tree Barge
Stuart fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Jupiter fishing report (20 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirotkin -Fla. Special-Tree Barge Corridor MI0064 | 135 yd | NNW | 190 ft |
| Wickstrom Reef MI0049 | 171 yd | NNW | 188 ft |
| Tension Barge 13 MI0054 | 0.1 mi | N | 190 ft |
| Baratta Sight-see-er Tower MI0082 | 0.1 mi | SSW | 180 ft |
| Debbie Schmidt Tower MI0081 | 0.2 mi | S | 180 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, and federal rules, since this reef is in federal water. Carry a descending device for reef fish you release.