Fallen Heroes Reef, M-8 (ST0021)
Artificial reef Sarasota County, Florida, Gulf side. 10 Steel Boxcars-Two Stacks of Five, All Collapsed.
What bites on Fallen Heroes Reef, M-8
Structure in 63 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 Fallen Heroes Reef, M-8
In 63 ft, pay out about 335 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 469 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 Fallen Heroes Reef, M-8
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 (40 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fallen Heroes Reef 2016 ST0087 | 33 yd | NNW | 60 ft |
| Fallen Heroes Reef, M-8 ST0017 | 64 yd | N | 63 ft |
| W2 Kyle Jackson Trail, Landingcraft ST0148 | 66 yd | N | 58 ft |
| M-8 Fallen Heroes - 2017 ST0187 | 0.1 mi | NW | 60 ft |
| Fallen Heroes Reef, Tank #1, Reefex #8 ST0052 | 0.1 mi | NW | 60 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.