Long Key Reef (MO0056)
Artificial reef Monroe County, Florida, Atlantic side. 1996, Long Key Bridge, 3942 Tons Bridge.
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 Long Key Reef
Structure in 24 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 Long Key Reef
In 24 ft, pay out about 140 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 196 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 Long Key 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: Islamorada fishing report (18 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Key Reef MO0055 | 10 yd | S | 24 ft |
| Long Key Reef #3 MO0032 | 76 yd | SSE | 26 ft |
| Long Key Reef #5 MO0034 | 0.1 mi | NNE | 26 ft |
| Long Key Reef #4 MO0033 | 0.2 mi | NNW | 26 ft |
| Long Key Reef MO0038 | 0.2 mi | W | 26 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.