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BoatFlorida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle RegionSheepshead · Open

RFRA Reef

30.29°N · 87.23°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
61
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 61 Fair. Tide 0.2ft Falling ▼. Current -1.3kn Ebb. Wind 17kn ESE G20. Sea 2 ft @ 5 s SE Choppy. Air 74.1°.

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
Gag Grouper ClosedCobia Retention openSpanish Mackerel Retention openKing 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

John Finelli Eagle Scout Reef
Florida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle Region
77
Top: SheepsheadSHOULDER SEASON
Sheepshead 77 · Gray Snapper 77 · Cobia 77
0006121824
14 kt E
H 2:30 AM · 0.4 m
L 2:30 PM · -0.0 m
Middle Ground
Florida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle Region
76
Top: Red DrumPEAK SEASON
Red Drum 76 · Spotted Seatrout 76 · Sheepshead 76
0006121824
14 kt E
H 2:50 AM · 0.7 m
L 3:25 PM · -0.1 m
Fishing Pier
Florida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle Region
76
Top: Red DrumPEAK SEASON
Red Drum 76 · Spotted Seatrout 76 · Sheepshead 76
0006121824
14 kt E
H 2:50 AM · 0.7 m
L 3:25 PM · -0.1 m
Joseph Meek Reef
Florida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle Region
66
Top: SheepsheadSHOULDER SEASON
Sheepshead 66 · Cobia 66 · Gray Snapper 66
0006121824
17 kt E
H 2:30 AM · 0.4 m
L 2:30 PM · -0.0 m

About RFRA Reef

RFRA Reef is an artificial reef in the Florida Gulf State Waters off Pensacola, where placed structure concentrates bait and holds both bottom species and passing pelagics. Sheepshead lead the calendar from January through March, Cobia push through from March to June, and King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel patrol the area from April through October. Gray Snapper peak from May to August, while Gag Grouper take over as the primary bottom target from October through December. Bottom fishing over the reef structure produces Sheepshead on fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and live shrimp, and Gag Grouper and Gray Snapper on live pinfish and squid. Above the reef, anglers slow troll live cigar minnows and live menhaden for King Mackerel and troll small spoons and straw rigs for Spanish Mackerel.

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

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