Hart's Family Reef (ST0254)
Artificial reef Sarasota County, Florida, Gulf side. 2 Dome-shaped concrete modules (2 bay).
What bites on Hart's Family Reef
Structure in 11 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 Hart's Family Reef
In 11 ft, pay out about 75 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 105 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 Hart's Family Reef
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 (27 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girl Scout Site ST0181 | 26 yd | SW | 13 ft |
| Hart Family Reef #2 (Bay) ST0070 | 55 yd | SSW | 12 ft |
| Hart Family Reef (#2) (Bay) ST0027 | 68 yd | WNW | 10 ft |
| H-1 ST0172 | 87 yd | WSW | 13 ft |
| Hart's Family Reef ST0211 | 99 yd | WSW | 14 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.