Blackthorn (PI0020)
Artificial reef Pinellas County, Florida, Gulf side. 180' Coast Guard Cutter, the "Blackthorn".
What bites on Blackthorn
Structure in 80 ft on the Gulf coast usually holds: Red snapper, Gag grouper, Red grouper, Mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Amberjack. 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 Blackthorn
In 80 ft, pay out about 420 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 588 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 Blackthorn
Clearwater fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Tampa Bay fishing report (35 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buoy Site PI0147 | 31 yd | WNW | 81 ft |
| Dunedin Reef PI0134 | 76 yd | E | 28 ft |
| Pinellas II Reef PI0040 | 0.1 mi | S | 80 ft |
| Pinellas II Reef PI0025 | 0.1 mi | N | 80 ft |
| Pinellas II Reef PI0026 | 0.2 mi | NNE | 80 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.