FAQs

Question:

How do I Pick the Best Site for My Vacation?

Answer:

With so many sites to choose from, especially in counties with a lot of sites, it can be confusing trying to figure out the best site to visit that guarantees good fishing and diving. A vacation is not the time to try out unknown sites, you don't want to waste your precious time. Here are some suggestions on how to choose:

  1. Older artificial reefs can be degraded, over fished, nonexistent. It is safer to choose a newer artificial site over an older one. Large ships that have been down 10 years or less are usually great sites.
    See our FAQ I Couldn't Find a Site on Your List -- There's No Structure at a Site
  2. Visit our Locations section, choose your area then click on the Reefs & Shipwrecks link. This will take you to a webpage for the region that lists reef site details by county. We also include reef reports if any have been received. You can also visit our Reefs & Shipwrecks Directory page that is a list of all reef sites we have details on.
  3. school of amberjack fish swimming above artificial reef pyramidsDo a search online for the site you are considering and select a Diving website. Read about divers experiences and you will find out if the site is bountiful.
  4. Search for a video of the site and see what is under the water. This is a lot of fun and gives you the feeling of being there.
  5. Visit local dive charter websites and find out what sites they take divers. Dive charters will list sites, fishing charters will not because it is revealing their spots. Keep in mind, especially in The Keys, that some dive sites might not allow fishing. For sites with restrictions we note rules it in the site title, if we know them.
  6. Visit popular fishing forums and search for the site you are considering. Or read topic titles to find user questions about fishing or diving an area. An example of one we read recently "I am planning a trip to Marathon, what are good spearfishing sites?" You will read tips from locals on where to go, rules, and maybe find a new friend. Forums are an excellent resource to learn about local sites and rules and regulations. You don't need to be a member to read posts, here are our favorites in no particular order:
    Pensacola Fishing Forum Spearboard
    The Hull Truth Spear Fishing Planet
    Florida Sportsman Surf Fishing Florida
    Pier and Surf Emerald Coast Reef Association