Black sea bass fishing out of Mayport is bottom fishing over reefs and wrecks, in water from 75 ft out to about 140 ft. Boats leave through the St. Johns River entrance at Mayport and work the Jacksonville offshore grounds. This page sorts the grounds by depth, lists the FWC artificial reef coordinates, describes the local method, and covers who fishes here and where the rules are. For the wider coast, see the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide.
When black sea bass are around off Mayport
The club’s bottom tournament month is September, which is the local marker for the fishery.
For biology and general behavior, see our black sea bass guide.
Where boats run from Mayport
The grounds fall into two depth bands, 75 to 80 ft and 105 to 120 ft, with water around 140 ft beyond. The table runs shallow to deep.
| Site | Depth (ft) | Coordinates (FWC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floyds Folly | 75 | 30 10.034 N, 81 09.322 W | FWC artificial reef |
| HH Site, Shark Barge | 77 | 30 00.950 N, 81 04.718 W | FWC artificial reef |
| CH Site, North Tug | 78 | 30 18.560 N, 81 04.150 W | FWC artificial reef |
| NSS Site, Coppage Culverts | 80 | 30 17.296 N, 80 57.598 W | FWC artificial reef |
| Blackmar’s Reef | 105 to 110 | ||
| Spike Reef | 110 bottom | Wreck top about 75 ft | |
| Dry Dock (AFDM-9) | 120 | Former Navy dry dock, about 45 miles southeast |
Chart layers and coordinates are not for navigation.
The 75 to 80 ft FWC sites
Four FWC artificial reefs make up the shallow band: Floyds Folly, HH Site (Shark Barge), CH Site (North Tug) and NSS Site (Coppage Culverts). The coordinates in the table are the FWC artificial reef coordinates. The four sit within 5 ft of each other in depth, so one bottom-fishing setup covers the band.
Blackmar’s, Spike and Nine Mile
Blackmar’s Reef sits in 105 to 110 ft. Spike Reef has a bottom of about 110 ft and a wreck top of about 75 ft, so the wreck stands about 35 ft off the bottom. That relief is what shows on your bottom machine: if the 35 ft rise is there, you are over the structure. Nine Mile Reef is the other named reef on the list.
Dry Dock and the 140 ft water
Dry Dock is AFDM-9, a former Navy dry dock, in 120 ft. It sits about 45 miles southeast of the port. Beyond it the bottom continues to about 140 ft. A deeper drop costs more fuel and more time.
How black sea bass are fished here
Bottom fishing over reefs and wrecks is the local method. Pick the 75 to 80 ft band or the 105 to 120 ft band, then plan the run around it.
On Spike Reef, the 35 ft between wreck top and bottom tells you whether you are on the structure. The same read works on any ground where the bottom machine shows a rise. Out of Mayport, the job is getting your drop over relief and staying on it.
For rigs and broader bottom-fish technique, see our reef fish guides.
Who fishes for them out of Mayport
Private boaters running their own boats make up most of the fleet. Club anglers fish the September bottom tournament. For local knowledge, Strate Fishing Charters lists black sea bass, with Capt. Matt Strate.
FAQ about black sea bass fishing out of Mayport
How deep do boats fish for black sea bass off Mayport?
The FWC sites sit at 75 to 80 ft. Blackmar’s, Spike and Dry Dock sit at 105 to 120 ft, with water around 140 ft beyond.
How far is the Dry Dock?
About 45 miles southeast of the port, in 120 ft. It is AFDM-9, a former Navy dry dock.
What is the wreck top on Spike Reef?
About 75 ft, over a bottom of about 110 ft, which gives about 35 ft of relief.
When is the bottom tournament?
The club’s bottom tournament month is September.
Is there a charter that lists black sea bass?
Yes. Strate Fishing Charters, with Capt. Matt Strate.
Where are the rules?
On the Florida regulations page linked in the Regulations section. Check them before fishing.
