M-5 (ST0046)
Artificial reef Sarasota County, Florida, Gulf side. Large Pile of 12-36 Oval And Round Culverts Nested Inside Each Other.
What bites on M-5
Structure in 40 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-5
In 40 ft, pay out about 220 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 308 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-5
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 (37 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-4 Site ST0074 | 2.0 mi | N | 42 ft |
| M-4 Site ST0073 | 2.0 mi | N | 43 ft |
| M-4 ST0039 | 2.0 mi | N | 42 ft |
| M-6 ST0029 | 2.5 mi | S | 52 ft |
| Genesis Center Reef ST0200 | 3.7 mi | NW | 43 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.