Wilkes Barre-Stern Section (MO0006)
Artificial reef Monroe County, Florida, Atlantic side. 610' Light Cruiser, the "USS Wilkes Barre (Cl-103)", Stern Portion, Sunk By US Navy.
What bites on Wilkes Barre-Stern Section
Structure in 250 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 Wilkes Barre-Stern Section
In 250 ft, pay out about 1270 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 1778 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 Wilkes Barre-Stern Section
Key West fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Marathon fishing report (33 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes Barre-Bow Section MO0005 | 129 yd | WNW | 250 ft |
| USS Fred T Berry (DD-858) MO0007 | 1.8 mi | S | 350 ft |
| USS Saufley (DD-465) MO0003 | 3.1 mi | SW | 420 ft |
| USS Kendrick (DD-612) MO0004 | 3.5 mi | WSW | 320 ft |
| Adolphus Busch Sr MO0057 | 6.5 mi | ENE | 100 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. Carry a descending device for reef fish you release.