Hopper Barge (DA0007)
Artificial reef Miami-Dade County, Florida, Atlantic side. 175' Steel Barge, the "Hopper Barge".
What bites on Hopper Barge
Structure in 234 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 Hopper Barge
In 234 ft, pay out about 1190 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 1666 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 Hopper Barge
Miami fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Fort Lauderdale fishing report (20 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Beams DA0068 | 0.6 mi | SSW | 51 ft |
| Cleve Jones, Sr. DA0145 | 0.9 mi | NNW | 155 ft |
| Steel Storage Tanks DA0089 | 0.9 mi | SSW | 45 ft |
| Radio Towers DA0077 | 1.0 mi | WNW | 51 ft |
| Miss Karlline (Karleen) DA0083 | 1.0 mi | NW | 51 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.