Alva Chapman Reef (MO0008)
Artificial reef Monroe County, Florida, Atlantic side. Two Concrete Boat Hulls & Dredge Pipe.
The state lists this mark as low-accuracy. Use it to get close, then find the structure on your sounder before you anchor.
What bites on Alva Chapman Reef
Structure in 220 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 Alva Chapman Reef
In 220 ft, pay out about 1120 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 1568 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 Alva Chapman Reef
Key Largo fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Miami fishing report (32 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo's April Fool DA0080 | 5.2 mi | NNE | 145 ft |
| Doc De Milly DA0057 | 5.2 mi | NNE | 140 ft |
| Jet Fighters DA0105 | 5.3 mi | NNE | 80 ft |
| Berry Patch DA0079 | 5.3 mi | NNE | 150 ft |
| Scott Mason-Chaite DA0126 | 6.6 mi | NNE | 240 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.