Madeira Beach Reef

Artificial reef (concrete culverts) in Tampa Bay nearshore waters

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NearshoreUpdated October 11, 2026

Depth
30-33 ft
Access
By boat
Best months
March to May, October to December
Species
Gag grouper, Red grouper, Mangrove (gray) snapper, Sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, King mackerel (kingfish)

Concrete culverts placed in several loads between November 1982 and July 1985 (FWC), about 5.5 nautical miles off the beach and 6.8 nautical miles from the John's Pass entrance, in state water. The county gives 30 to 33 feet.

How to fish it

The culverts lie in scattered groups (FWC notes one load as two piles about 40 feet apart), so idle around and mark several piles before you anchor.

Watch out for: FWC's positions here are low accuracy (LORAN) and list no depth, and the material may have moved or been buried.
Rules here: State water: FWC's reef fish gear rules and the State Reef Fish Angler designation apply. The rules to check in Tampa Bay nearshore waters

Wind and waves

Now and the next 48 hours at Madeira Beach Reef

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On the map

Madeira Beach Reef and the places around it

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Position

  • N27° 46.318' W082° 54.889'27.771970, -82.914820

Not for navigation: check it against a current chart before you rely on it.

Places nearby

The closest named places, as the crow flies

Check the rules before you keep a fish. Size limits, bag limits and seasons change, sometimes at short notice. Our "Can you keep it today?" lists give them as of the day we last checked; these are the official pages.