D-9 (ST0006)
Artificial reef Sarasota County, Florida, Gulf side. Rightside Up Barge.
What bites on D-9
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-9
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-9
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: Boca Grande fishing report (43 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-11 Reef Balls ST0092 | 14.3 mi | ENE | 72 ft |
| M-11 Reef Balls ST0093 | 14.3 mi | ENE | 69 ft |
| D-6 ST0030 | 15.2 mi | NNW | 110 ft |
| M-10 ST0007 | 16.0 mi | ENE | 70 ft |
| MD-1 ST0005 | 17.2 mi | N | 78 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.