Big Pine Reef (MO0051)
Artificial reef Monroe County, Florida, Atlantic side. Deployed In 1988, Research Modules Low Profile.
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 Reef
Structure in 25 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 Reef
In 25 ft, pay out about 145 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 203 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 Reef
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 Key Site MO0052 | 0.3 mi | E | 18 ft |
| Big Pine Reef MO0050 | 0.5 mi | SSE | 45 ft |
| Big Pine Reef MO0049 | 0.7 mi | SSE | 80 ft |
| Bahia Honda Reef MO0047 | 3.9 mi | NE | 32 ft |
| Bahia Honda Reef MO0028 | 4.0 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.