Venice Reef Site (ST0012)
Artificial reef Sarasota County, Florida, Gulf side. Old Bridge Materials And Concrete Rubble, 4th of 9 Loads From 8/15/80.
What bites on Venice Reef Site
Structure in 28 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 Venice Reef Site
In 28 ft, pay out about 160 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 224 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 Venice Reef Site
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 (28 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venice Reef Site ST0010 | 1.0 mi | ESE | 28 ft |
| Robert's Bay Revitalization Initiative #4 ST0241 | 1.4 mi | E | 3 ft |
| Robert's Bay Revitalization Initiative #1 ST0238 | 1.5 mi | E | 4 ft |
| Robert's Bay Revitalization Initiative #3 ST0240 | 1.6 mi | E | 4 ft |
| Robert's Bay Revitalization Initiative #5 ST0242 | 1.6 mi | E | 4 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.