Your reef site mark to the west is a "Lighted Tower" American Shoals to the East is a "Buoy" marking Big Pine Shoals and Looe Key Marine Sanctuary (You can not fish inside the sanctuary marked by a yellow buoy makers on each corner) rest in the middle of these two site marks. From the two marks east to west is approximately 5 nautical miles. These site marks are stationed on the inside edge of the "Reef" water depth of 25 to 35 feet. On a clear day the horizon is approx 7 nautical miles and you can still see the islands and bridges.

We recommend you anchor up in 65’ to 85’ of water 1^st this will be the outside edge of the "Reef". If you have a bottom finder look for a "Drop-Off" or an umbrella shape this will be a school of Yellow Tail.

Work an area for (1) block of chum 1 to 1 1/2 hours if you are unsuccessful pull anchor and move. You can move in shallower and or up or down the reef.

Anchor up current. We recommend using a "Reef Anchor". Set up in the correct manner this will be easy to remove from the reef and will not cause as much damage to the coral as a Danforth anchor.

Give the boat time to position itself in the current and wind. Place your chum in your chum bag with a rope attached to you stern cleat and toss it over board. Take a hand full of oats and toss them over board this will give you the speed and direction of the current at the "Reef" and will also entice the yellow tail to start feeding

You're now ready to start catching "Yellow Tail"

Take your rod & reel and attach the fluorocarbon leaders you made. Depending on the current will determine the amount of weight you will use. More current less weight. Fast current more weight. Attach your split shot as close to the hook as possible. Attach a live shrimp or your choice of frozen bait hook a "SMALL PIECE". If you have more than one angler or pole start out using a variety of baits until you have determined what the "Tails" are hungry for today the idea is to make your hook with the bait look like the SMALL pieces of chum floating in you "Chum Line". You will want to what is called "Free Line". Open your bail or release your casting lock and start feeding line out by hand, continue feeding line until you feel the line start peeling off the reel very fast. Flit your bail closed or turn the handle on your reel and start reeling. Fish-On your hooked up. The Yellow Tail must be 12" measured from the tip of its nose to the point of the tail with it pinched together.

There will be times when you have the yellow tail in a feeding frenzy in your chum line behind your boat. You have given them every different type of bait you brought with you, and they still will not take your hook. There are several things you can do to resolve this problem.

1. Drop down in the size of fluorocarbon leader you pre-rigged back at the dock.

2. Remove your chum from the water and just throw out a few glass minnows and or oats.

3. Take out your Fishbites and or Gulps hook them on your 12# fluorocarbon leader and try this technique.

4. The fish market is located on Cudjoe Key. And Yellow Tail sells for $7.00 per pound ready to cook.

Take your bottom fishing rod and reel and rig it with an 8oz egg sinker above the swivel or you can use the New Quick Change Slip Lead by American Bandit

You can purchase a Wahoo Grouper Jig Reef at our shop we carry them in 2oz, to 13oz baited with a fresh ballyhoo these work very well.

Another excellent way to bottom fish is; take a Spanish sardine hook them through the tail….run your hook and line all the way through the tail….then take your hook and hook him in the lower jaw. This sends the sardine to the bottom like a grouper jig.

The Black Grouper’s favorite meal is the Yellow Tail Snapper. More times than not if you are really catching yellow tail the Black Grouper will be around.