When gag grouper are around Cedar Key
Gag grouper fishing out of Cedar Key is a summer fishery. The local charter listing from Hookin It Charters and Tours puts gag in the summer months, and the local season matches the federal season. The agencies set the opening and closing, so this page gives no dates. The Regulations section below points to where they are published. The same fishery along the rest of the coast is in the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide.
The sections that follow cover the run offshore, the grounds with their depths and coordinates, how gag are fished here, and where to check conditions before you leave the dock.
Where boats run and the grounds that hold them
Boats run 15-25 miles to offshore ledges and artificial reefs.
Before the run, check wind, wave height and period at NDBC C-MAN station CDRF1 at Cedar Key (29.136 N, 83.029 W), the nearest NOAA station. Then read the official NWS forecast for the coastal waters. Our reef fish guides cover the wider Big Bend and Gulf picture.
Two kinds of ground matter here:
- Natural ground: Seahorse Reef and Kingfish Hole.
- FWC artificial reefs: listed sites with published depths and coordinates, in the table below.
Seahorse Reef and Kingfish Hole
Seahorse Reef is a natural sandbar, not an artificial reef. It lies farther offshore than the reef sites below, so the sail from Cedar Key is longer. Kingfish Hole sits on its northwest side, so use Seahorse as the reference point when you plot it.
FWC artificial reefs near Cedar Key
The coordinates below come from the FWC artificial reef layer. They mark deployment sites and are a starting point, not a fishing mark. Chart layers are not for navigation, so verify every position against your own charts and sounder.
| Site | Depth (ft) | Lat | Long | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Key Reef Site 1 | 23 | 29.1018 N | 83.2200 W | FWC artificial reef |
| Cedar Key #1 | 23 | 29.1226 N | 83.2231 W | Stone crab modules, 1986 |
| Cedar Key Reef Site 2 | 26 | 28.9818 N | 83.2000 W | Pipe and pyramid loads, 1988-89 |
| Cedar Key Reef Site 3 | 36 | 29.1143 N | 83.4253 W | Pipe loads |
| Suwannee Regional Reefs, Site A | 40 | 28.9863 N | 83.3177 W | Concrete cubes |
| White City Bridge rubble | 55 | 29.1668 N | 83.6496 W | Steel and concrete |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
The listed FWC reefs sit in 23-55 ft of water, while the local structure-fishing band is 40-100 ft. Suwannee Site A (40 ft) and White City Bridge rubble (55 ft) are the only listed sites inside that band. The shallower sites sit above it.
How gag are fished here
Gag here are a structure fishery. Anglers work rocky ledges, artificial reefs and natural structure in 40-100 ft of water, and the 15-25 mile run is what gets a boat to that depth band.
For tackle, rigs and fish behavior, see our gag grouper guide.
Who fishes for gag out of Cedar Key
Hookin It Charters and Tours, run by Capt. Jayson Porter, lists gag grouper out of Cedar Key. Details are on the Hookin It Charters listing. A charter is one way to see the local grounds before running your own boat.
FAQ about gag grouper fishing out of Cedar Key
When is gag season at Cedar Key?
Gag grouper fishing out of Cedar Key is a summer fishery, per the Hookin It Charters and Tours listing. The local season matches the federal season. For opening and closing dates, see the state and federal rules pages in the Regulations section above.
How far do boats run from Cedar Key for gag?
Boats run 15-25 miles to offshore ledges and artificial reefs. That run reaches the 40-100 ft structure band where gag are fished locally.
What depth are the artificial reefs near Cedar Key?
The listed FWC artificial reefs sit in 23-55 ft. Cedar Key Reef Site 1 and Cedar Key #1 are the shallowest at 23 ft, and White City Bridge rubble is the deepest at 55 ft. Suwannee Site A (40 ft) and White City Bridge rubble fall inside the 40-100 ft band.
Is Seahorse Reef an artificial reef?
No. Seahorse Reef is a natural sandbar, and the sail from Cedar Key is longer than to the reef sites. Kingfish Hole sits on its northwest side.
Where do I check conditions before running out of Cedar Key?
NDBC C-MAN station CDRF1 at Cedar Key is the nearest NOAA station. Check wind, wave height and period there, and read the official NWS forecast, before the run.
