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BoatFlorida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle RegionSheepshead · Open

Donut Reef

30.18°N · 87.24°W

Species

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14-Day Forecast

Data from: ECMWF + GFS + BlueCaster
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24-Hour Conditions

All times CDT

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Conditions
Time
12 PM
Now
Score
59
Fair
Tide
0.2 ft ▼
Ebbing
Current
—
Ebb
Wind
17 kn
ESE · steady
Sea state
Choppy
2 ft @ 5 s SE
Air temp
74°
Warm
Weather
Overcast
100% cloud
Hour 12 PM. Score 59 Fair. Tide 0.2ft Falling ▼. Current -1.3kn Ebb. Wind 17kn ESE G20. Sea 2 ft @ 5 s SE Choppy. Air 74.5°.

Why this score

Current
Slack
Prime

Current regulations

In effect now

What you can keep at this spot today

Sheepshead
Retention open
Daily limit
8 per day
Possession
Not published
Size
Minimum 12"
Gear
Legal gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. Illegal: multiple hooks used with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited.
Annual quota
Not published
Other
Minimum size 12 in total length. Vessel limit 50 per trip during March and April. State regulations extend into federal waters. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park (not applicable to this area).
Other species here
King Mackerel Retention openGag Grouper ClosedCobia Retention openSpanish Mackerel Retention openGray Snapper Retention open
Always check with FWC ↗

Source: FWC · Florida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle Region · synced today

Seasonality

52-week view · today highlighted

When Sheepshead is best at this spot

Shoulder seasonShoulder season for Sheepshead
~6 more weeks in shoulder
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Peak seasonShoulder seasonOff season

SPOT PROFILE

DEPTH
—
STRUCTURE
Artificial Reef

Nearby Spots

View all on map →

Other productive spots within easy run

CSX Rubble Reef
Federal Gulf Waters off Florida
62
Top: Red SnapperSHOULDER SEASON
Red Snapper 62 · Gray Snapper 62
0006121824
17 kt E
H 2:30 AM · 0.4 m
L 2:30 PM · -0.0 m
Tug Ocean Wind Reef
Florida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle Region
62
Top: SheepsheadSHOULDER SEASON
Sheepshead 62 · Cobia 62 · Gray Snapper 62
0006121824
17 kt E
H 2:30 AM · 0.4 m
L 2:30 PM · -0.0 m
Car Bodies Reef
Florida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle Region
62
Top: SheepsheadSHOULDER SEASON
Sheepshead 62 · Gray Snapper 62 · Cobia 62
0006121824
17 kt E
H 2:30 AM · 0.4 m
L 2:30 PM · -0.0 m
Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge Reef
Federal Gulf Waters off Florida
62
Top: Red SnapperSHOULDER SEASON
Red Snapper 62 · Gray Snapper 62
0006121824
17 kt E
H 2:30 AM · 0.4 m
L 2:30 PM · -0.0 m

About Donut Reef

Donut Reef is an artificial reef in the Florida Gulf State Waters off Pensacola, part of the Panhandle Region's network of structure-holding fishing grounds. King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel move over the reef from April through October, while Cobia peak from March through June and Gray Snapper hold tight to the structure from May through August. Cooler months bring Gag Grouper from October through December and Sheepshead from January through March. Anglers slow troll live cigar minnows or live menhaden for King Mackerel and troll small spoons or straw rigs for Spanish Mackerel along the edges of the reef. Bottom fishing with live pinfish targets Gag Grouper directly on the structure, and fiddler crabs or live shrimp work for Sheepshead.

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Donut Reef is one of the spots we track around Pensacola. More spots in Pensacola · All of Florida.

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