Offshore

Middle Keys Reef Tract

Offshore · Florida · Middle Keys Atlantic reef tract west of Sombrero Key SPA

Location Snapshot

Middle Keys Reef Tract is a Florida Keys offshore reef fishery centered on connected reef structure off the Marathon area. Yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, and hogfish are the principal supported targets, giving this destination a reef-focused identity distinct from the Keys’ broader bluewater fishery.

Information Only

StrikeTracks does not currently provide an Offshore fishing-condition rating. Marine Conditions are observations and forecasts for trip planning. They are not an Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor fishing score.

Marine Conditions

Planning context — not a fishing rating.

Marine Forecast

Today

Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to near 20 knots this afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, except 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet, subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 7 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters very rough, becoming rough. A slight chance of showers.

Nearby fishing destinations

Key West39.7 mi
Florida · Florida Keys · Harbor
Approximately 39.7 miles away
Lower Keys Offshore43.4 mi
Florida · Lower Keys reef and bluewater south of Key West · Offshore
Approximately 43.4 miles away
Upper Keys Reef Tract59.2 mi
Florida · Upper Keys Atlantic reef tract east of Key Largo / Molasses, outside no-take SPAs · Offshore
Approximately 59.2 miles away

Fishery Profile

Fishery Overview

Middle Keys Reef Tract offshore fishery

Middle Keys Reef Tract is an offshore reef fishery on the Atlantic side of the Middle Keys, reached by boat rather than from a harbor wall. Yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, and hogfish are the main reef targets, with black grouper, gray snapper, and king mackerel also present. The fishable water sits between the Long Key and Bahia Honda stretch, outside mapped sanctuary preservation areas.

Fishery type: Reef tract
Fishing modes: Offshore boat
Habitat and structure: Fishable tract outside SPAs

Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Not a live bite forecast.

Fishery Targets

Yellowtail snapper are associated with summer on this tract, and mutton snapper with spring through fall. Hogfish are a summer fish whose harvest rules vary, so seasonal presence is not a guarantee you may keep one. Black grouper, gray snapper, and king mackerel occur here without a published month window.

This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.

Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations

Yellowtail snapper
Primary
Ocyurus chrysurus
Also called colirrubia
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Mutton snapper
Primary
Lutjanus analis
Also called sama
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING — FALL
Hogfish
PrimaryRegulations vary annually
Lachnolaimus maximus
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Hogfish are a primary reef target here, and harvest rules can differ from the seasonal window used to describe when they are present.
Black grouper
Secondary
Mycteroperca bonaci
No seasonal pulse known
Gray snapper
Secondary
Lutjanus griseus
Also called Mangrove snapper
No seasonal pulse known
King mackerel
Secondary
Scomberomorus cavalla
No seasonal pulse known

Typical Seasonal Targets

Yellowtail snapper — SUMMER
Mutton snapper — SPRING — FALL
Hogfish — SUMMER

Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.

Access, Safety and Regulations

Access

Anglers reach this tract by offshore boat from Marathon and other Middle Keys ports. It is offshore reef water, not a beach or harbor-wall fishery, and the Sombrero lighthouse is not the fishing destination.

Primary hazards

This is offshore reef water, reached by boat from Marathon and other Middle Keys ports. It covers a line of reef, not every patch reef along that stretch.

Fishery considerations

This reef tract does not have a local tide station. Tide predictions written for Marathon harbor describe the harbor, not water movement on the offshore reef.

Monitoring limitations

This reef tract does not have a local wave buoy, so wave height is not included in these readings.
Tidal current predictions are not published for this offshore reef tract, so tide height is not a current reading.

Regulations

Florida saltwater recreational rules apply. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary preservation areas are no-take, including Sombrero Key and Coffins Patch, and those closed areas are not part of this fishable tract. Check official sanctuary boundaries and state harvest rules before you fish.

View current recreational saltwater regulations

Fishery Sources

Editorial and agency sources supporting this fishery profile. Live and predicted conditions use the separate Data Sources section.

Location and Access

Offshore · Florida

Loading map…

This marker is the mapped fishing area. It is not a boat ramp, a parking area, or a place to drive to.