FAQs

Question:

I Couldn't Find a Site on Your List -- There's No Structure at a Site

Answer:

It is entirely possible a site may not be in the exact location listed on our list. Our site numbers are public numbers of artificial reefs and shipwrecks, all from government resources. Information was accurate on the date a site was sunk, but time and other factors can effect reef sites. What was once a great reef site with good fishing structure (relief) could unexpectedly change.

There are many unforeseen circumstances that can effect reef site locations and site relief, here are some common factors to consider:

  • pipes underwater stacked for a reefs site with a diver in backgroundAge of Site - Sites that have been out there a long time can be effected by many of the factors listed below. Artificial reef sites are especially prone to degrading and dispersing as the materials used are usually recycled materials and not very large pieces.
  • Storms - Hurricanes and tropical storms can move a wreck, level an artificial reef, or disperse reef materials to another location. Wind creates large waves and combine that with strong currents can easily smash up a site.
  • Salt Water - Salt water can corrode a structure, over time disintegrate structural supports and collapse a wreck. When the integrity of a hull is reduced, a storm could easily move the wreck or break it apart.
  • pile of concrete slabs under water with a diverSandy Bottom Sturcture - The substrate surrounding Florida consists of fine white sand that is like a desert. There can be miles between reef sites with only sand in between. This fine sand can easily cover a site when storms and currents stir up the bottom. This will reduce the relief of a site and can slowly bury a reef site.
  • Manmade Destruction - Some counties in Florida do not have a lot of reef sites to fish resulting in an excessive number of anglers trying to catch a limited resource. Popular sites heavily visited by tourist anglers can stress a reef. Cast nets lost, hooks and anchors caught in structure and garbage can cover a reef and cause fish to find a better place to live. A net covering a reef can cause a reef to come apart in strong currents or storms. Annually, volunteers remove millions of pounds of debris from Florida reefs left behind by anglers. Do your part and remove any debris you find.
  • Loran Conversions - Many reef and wreck site numbers from FWC & NOAA were originally recorded using Loran. It is well known that Loran numbers do not convert to GPS accurately. We indicate on our charts a star (*) for sites that are converted numbers. These sites might be a challenge to find and we encourage users to send in a Reef Report to help us update site numbers and conditions. We put them on our list because we know the sites are out there.
  • GPS Number Conversions - Our GPS numbers are in the Lat/Long Decimal Minutes (dd mm.mmm) format. When we create GPX files, the numbers are converted into Decimal Degrees DD.DDDD. Now if your unit is set to Degrees/Minutes/Seconds another conversion takes place and this could result in a site being off by as little as a few feet to an even greater distance.
  • Difference in GPS Units - Every manufacturer of GPS units uses different software which can effect the accuracy of coordinates.

Every experienced boater who visits reef sites often knows a site is never precisely on the exact number on a chart. The common procedure is to navigate to the site and circle around the area until you locate structure indicating you have found the site.

We encourage our users to please send us a Reef Report after visiting a site so we can update our charts and share this information with other anglers & divers. We want everyone to find a site on the first try and this can only happen if everyone shares information. We will also report to FWC or local authorities any site corrections or hazards that need addressing. We all win by sharing!

Due to the above uncontrollable circumstances, you can understand why we cannot guarantee the accuracy of reef site coordinates.