Channel Marker Reefs (Bay) (ST0072)
Artificial reef Sarasota County, Florida, Gulf side. Last Seven of 15 Channel Markers, Number for Marker #18.
What bites on Channel Marker Reefs (Bay)
Structure in 10 ft on the Gulf coast usually holds: Sheepshead, Mangrove snapper, Gag grouper, Spanish mackerel, Flounder. 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 Channel Marker Reefs (Bay)
In 10 ft, pay out about 70 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 98 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 Channel Marker Reefs (Bay)
Sarasota 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 (30 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lido Channel Markers (Bay) ST0064 | 0.2 mi | SSW | 6 ft |
| Miller (#3) (Bay) ST0057 | 0.4 mi | NNW | 21 ft |
| Jantzen (#5) (Bay) ST0040 | 0.6 mi | ESE | 10 ft |
| Jantzen #5(Bay) ST0071 | 0.6 mi | ESE | 10 ft |
| Jantzen (#5) (Bay) ST0035 | 0.6 mi | SE | 10 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.