Offshore

Middle Keys Reef Tract

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

Middle Keys Reef Tract

Offshore · Florida

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.

Nearby coastal 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 a reef-tract destination in FL. NEW_STANDALONE between Upper Keys Reef Tract and Lower Keys Offshore. Marathon / Duck Key / Long Key is an independent planning destination. Exclude Sombrero Key SPA, Coffins Patch SPA, and all other FKNMS SPAs / Ecological Reserves / Research Natural Areas. Pin is west of Sombrero SPA. Do not use Sombrero lighthouse as the destination. StrikeTracks does not offer a live ordinal coastal rating here.

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 and mutton are qualitative. Hogfish is legal-variable. Black grouper, gray snapper, and king mackerel are occurrence-only as encoded.

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
Black grouper
Secondary
Mycteroperca bonaci
No seasonal pulse known
Occurrence is supported. Destination month timing is not encoded and is not a Jan–Dec card.
Gray snapper
Secondary
Lutjanus griseus
Also called Mangrove snapper
No seasonal pulse known
Occurrence is supported. Destination month timing is not encoded and is not a Jan–Dec card.
King mackerel
Secondary
Scomberomorus cavalla
No seasonal pulse known
Occurrence is supported. Destination month timing is not encoded and is not a Jan–Dec card.

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

Offshore reef boat from Marathon and Middle Keys. Not a lighthouse pin.

Primary hazards

Mapped no-take boxes. Tract is linear; pin is planning geography.

Fishery considerations

Do not use Marathon harbor tides as reef-local.
Regional NWS.

Regulations

Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.

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

Cataloged offshore fishing destination

Offshore · Florida

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The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.