Big Pine Key Site (MO0052)
Artificial reef Monroe County, Florida, Atlantic side. Precast Concrete Shallow Reef Modules with PVC.
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 Big Pine Key Site
Structure in 18 ft on the South Florida reef tract usually holds: Mangrove snapper, Yellowtail snapper, Hogfish, Grunts, Cero mackerel. 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 Big Pine Key Site
In 18 ft, pay out about 110 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 154 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 Big Pine Key Site
Marathon fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Key West fishing report (30 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Pine Reef MO0051 | 0.3 mi | W | 25 ft |
| Big Pine Reef MO0050 | 0.4 mi | S | 45 ft |
| Big Pine Reef MO0049 | 0.6 mi | S | 80 ft |
| Bahia Honda Reef MO0047 | 3.8 mi | NE | 32 ft |
| Bahia Honda Reef MO0028 | 3.8 mi | NE | 30 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.