Drift Fishing - Drift fishing is very productive on reefs. it is best to look at a chart of the reef. After you determine the drift at the time, position yourself to drift over the most structure. A lot of reefs have reef ball areas and areas of lower stone and concrete structures. these areas are easier to drift over. Higher wrecks are not as conducive to drift fishing. Plan to lose rigs when drift fishing.

Anchoring on structure

Find the wreck first by GPS location. If the wreck is not at that spot start a consistent search pattern. Travel either North-south or east-west at a slow speed. Watch your depth recorder until you locate the wreck. drop a marker on the bow and stern of the wreck.

After setting the markers, mark the spot on your GPS, take the boat out of gear, and let it drift for 300 feet. Plot the course and distance on your GPS and follow the course over the wreck and 5 times the depth past it.You need about 5 to 1 scope on the anchor to set it properly. let out anchor line until you are over the wreck. You can make a bridle to adjust your position by attaching a 30 foot nylon line to the main anchor line with a snap and tying it off to a amidships cleat. Port or starboard cleat will change positions also. You can the adjust position by turning the steering wheel and sliding on the bridle.

pelagic - migratory fish

Species Reef dwellers and bottom fish

Black sea Bass - bluish black or brown color, sharp dorsal spines and rounder caudal fin- most are 8 to 15 inches with a 24 inch maximum-It inhabits the coasts from Maine to NE Florida and the eastern Gulf of Mexico . They are most abundant off the waters of New York . They can be found in inshore waters (bays and sounds) and offshore in waters up to a depth of 400'. They spend most of their time close to the sea floor and are often congregated around bottom formations such as rocks, man-made reefs, wrecks, jetties, piers, and bridge pilings

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Cunner -aka Bergall olive brown, with blotchy patterning. They grow to 15 inches and 2 pounds. They live in schools in mostly rocky areas. - resemble small tautog. They range from Nova scotia to South Carolina

Gag Grouper - brownish to olive gray with numerouus dark worm-like markings on the sides- finas are dark and anal, tail and dorsal fins have pale or white edges.10-20 lb are common, world record is 80lb 6oz,

Gray Triggerfish -aka leatherjacket olive gray, rough plate like scales and marbled fins. Grow up to 22" and 1-3 pounds. the feed on barnacles, shrimp, clams, and mussels. The gray triggerfish is found on both sides of the tropical and temperate Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil, and from England southward along the coast of Africa. usually found on hard bottom areas around wrecks and reefs etc.

red Snapper - brick red above -lighter below- average 2-5 lbs - can reach 40lb - SE United States and Gulf of Mexico-

Scamp - grouper family -light to dark brown grouper with small reddish brown spots on sides- yellowish corners of mouth- elongated tail rays giving broom like look. average 10-15pounds- may reach 43 inches and 36 pounds - found in Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean from Florida to the Carolinas. Usually found in depth from 75-300 '

Scup - aka porgy- dull silver with black bars - up to 18 inches and 4 pounds. Usually 12 inches and 1 to 2 pounds. Scup inhabit the nearshore region of the continental shelf from Nova Scotia to South Carolina, and prefer hard bottom habitats, such as rock outcroppings and wrecks in warmer waters of 45° F or warmer.

Sheepshead - deep-bodied porgy. Silver gray with 5-6 dark vertical bars down the sides. Strong incisor and rear molar teeth. Sheepshead range from Nova Scotia to Cedar Key, Florida along the Atlantic coast of North America. Two subspecies may occur in the western Gulf of Mexico and in the South Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro. they can reach 30 inches and 15 pounds.

Spottail Pinfish - A deep bodied porgy. Dusky to metallic blue with silvery sides. Fain vertical bars along the sides. A distinctive dark blotch near the tail.

Summer Flounder - fluke- mottled brown flatfish with dark spots on upper surface-all have 5 spots 2 under the dorsal fin- 2 opposite above the anal fin and 1 in between on the lateral line. both eyes on left side of head as fish faces left .

Tautog -blackfish - stout heavy brown and olive fish with thick rubbery lips and stout bodies- maxim size 3 pound and 3 feet - strong jaws to feed on crabs, mussels and other crustaceans- lives on reefs, wrecks and other structure from Nova scotia to South Carolina.

Tomtate - aka - Red Mouth - Blood Mouth - small grunt- silvery -white overall with a yellow-brown stripe from the eye to a spot on the tail.- Inside of mouth is blood red- Range from Cape Hatteras to Brazil- central America and the Caribbean. live on rough bottoms. Likes Temperature over 54 ° - maximum size 12" - 1 pound

Vermillion Snapper - streamlined with a bright vermilion back fading to a white belly. narrow yellow gold streaks - The dorsal fin is rosy colored with a yellow margin. The caudal fin is red , but has a faint black margin found in tropical waters.- Cape Hatteras to Brazil , the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico.They can reach 24". they live in 80-300' of water.

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