Sarasota Sportsman Reef, M-17 (ST0061)
Artificial reef Sarasota County, Florida, Gulf side. 60 Reef Balls - 2nd Deployment of 3 Loads (180 Total).
What bites on Sarasota Sportsman Reef, M-17
Structure in 60 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 Sarasota Sportsman Reef, M-17
In 60 ft, pay out about 320 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 448 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 Sarasota Sportsman Reef, M-17
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 (31 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarasota Sportsman Reef, M-17 ST0062 | 0.1 mi | S | 60 ft |
| Sarasota Sportsman Reef, M-17 ST0060 | 0.1 mi | N | 60 ft |
| M-16 ST0045 | 3.6 mi | ENE | 48 ft |
| M-9 Site, Reefex #2 ST0048 | 3.8 mi | WNW | 65 ft |
| M-9 ST0036 | 3.9 mi | WNW | 63 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.