How to Fish Patch Reefs in the florida Keys

How to Fish Patch Reefs in the florida Keys

Patch reefs are small coral reef formations inside of the main barrier reef.Most of the patch reefs are 5 to 15 feet deep and 100 feet or less in size, and most are accessable with a small boat.Fishing patch reefs are a good way to start out fishing in the keys,and learn the techniques of Florida keys fishing.

When you are buying your bait and blocks of chum,ask the bait shop operater for a good place to start.He will inform you where the good spots are ,and what types of fish are running.

When you get to the patch,anchor in the sandy areas next to the patch.The patch reefs are easy to spot,like the main reef they are green and brown in color,and the sandy areas will be have a blueish-white hue.You will want to anchor up-current or up-wind of the patch reef,and let the chum and baits flow towards the patch.

Bottom fishing will be the prefered method,and a simple set-up is the best way to go.You should be able to get by with no leader, most of the fish you will catch,will be on the small side and getting cut off on the structure should'nt be a problem. Tie the hook directly to the line,if you are getting cut-off by a mackerel or cuda,add some wire or mono leader.

Lets go over some basic tackle and baits to use.

You could start with a light action rod, 10 to 15 pound line.The florida keys waters are very clear and the less hardware on the end of your line the better.A 2/0 or 3/0 bronzed mustad hook will do the job.

Fresh Mullet,thread herring,Ballyhoo,pilchards,spanish sardines are all good dead baits.Pinfish,Ballhoo,and large shrimp are good live baits.The Ballyhoo works well as a strip bait.Fillet and cut each side into a two strips,the others can be cut into chunks.

There are a few areas to place the hook in a live bait.You can place the hook in the nose,in the back or front of the dorsal fin.Live shrimp should be hooked in the tail section.With live bait you may have to use a little weight,to get it down.

Once you get to your spot place a bag of chum in the chum bag,and let it draw fish to the boat.Drop your baits in the water,and feed line out.Let the bait flow naturaly with the chum line in the current.Once you feel a bite,set the hook and most of all,Hold on!.Even the small fish in the keys have good power and at times the bigger fish will move inshore to the patches.

There you have it a brief run-down on fishing patch reefs in the Florida keys.

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