M-16 (ST0045)
Artificial reef Sarasota County, Florida, Gulf side. Concrete Culverts Basins and Steel Beams.
What bites on M-16
Structure in 48 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 M-16
In 48 ft, pay out about 260 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 364 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 M-16
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 (30 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-15 ST0038 | 3.4 mi | ENE | 43 ft |
| M-15 ST0037 | 3.5 mi | ENE | 42 ft |
| Sarasota Sportsman Reef, M-17 ST0060 | 3.5 mi | WSW | 60 ft |
| Sarasota Sportsman Reef, M-17 ST0061 | 3.6 mi | WSW | 60 ft |
| Sarasota Sportsman Reef, M-17 ST0062 | 3.6 mi | WSW | 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. Carry a descending device for reef fish you release.