D-3 (ST0026)
Artificial reef Sarasota County, Florida, Gulf side. 5 Boxcars, 2 End Wall Standing 14' Tall, Average Height 4'.
What bites on D-3
Structure in 105 ft on the Gulf coast usually holds: Red snapper, Red grouper, Vermilion snapper, Amberjack, Scamp. 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 D-3
In 105 ft, pay out about 545 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 763 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 D-3
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 (46 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-4 ST0024 | 0.6 mi | S | 105 ft |
| D-6 ST0030 | 11.9 mi | SSE | 110 ft |
| MD-1 ST0008 | 16.2 mi | ESE | 78 ft |
| MD-1 ST0005 | 16.2 mi | ESE | 78 ft |
| Bob Johnson ST0022 | 19.5 mi | E | 65 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.