When gag are around Cortez
Gag grouper fishing out of Cortez is a reef trip, and operators run grouper trips year-round. The gag grouper guide covers the fish itself. This page covers the port. The same fishery along the rest of the coast is in the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide.
Below are run distances, eight named reefs with depth, distance and bearing, how the local fleet puts the boat on structure, and who runs gag trips from here.
How far boats run for grouper from Cortez
Gag trips from this port fall into two distance bands, so plan your fuel against both.
9 to 17 miles on Cortez Deep Sea Fishing reef trips
Cortez Deep Sea Fishing runs its reef trips 9 to 17 miles out. If you’re taking your own boat, treat that as the near band.
20 to 30 miles and about 70 ft
The Florida Fishing Fleet 8-hour trip, which lists gag, runs 20 to 30 miles. One Cortez Deep Sea Fishing review describes a grouper trip 20+ miles out in 70+ feet of water, so plan around about 70 ft.
The named reefs below sit at 16 to 46 ft, while the gag trips reported here run to about 70 ft and 20+ miles out. The reef fish guides cover the wider Gulf.
Before you run, check conditions as numbers. ANMF1 (Anna Maria, FL, 27.538N 82.739W) is the nearest NDBC station. When it isn’t reporting, use the official NWS coastal waters forecast. Read wind, wave height and period as numbers and make your own call from them.
Reefs and ledges near Longboat Pass
Each bearing below is measured from the reference point listed for that reef: Longboat Pass, the Longboat Pass entrance, or the tip of Anna Maria Island.
| Reef | Depth | Distance | Bearing | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near Shore Reef | 16 ft | 0.6 miles | 321 degrees | Longboat Pass |
| 3 Mile South Reef | 30 ft | 3.5 miles | 270 degrees | Longboat Pass |
| 1 Mile Reef | 25 ft | 4.3 nm | 320 degrees | Longboat Pass entrance |
| Gucken Reef | 33 ft | 4.6 miles | 250 degrees | tip of Anna Maria Island |
| 3 Mile North Reef | 28 ft | 7.0 miles | 305 degrees | Longboat Pass |
| 7 Mile South Reef | 40 ft | 8.0 miles | 270 degrees | Longboat Pass |
| 7 Mile North Reef | 40 ft | 8.2 miles | 270 degrees | NW tip of Anna Maria Island |
| Anna Maria Ledge | 46 ft | 14.7 miles | 290 degrees | Longboat Pass |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
The names don’t match the listed distances. 3 Mile North Reef sits at 7.0 miles, and 1 Mile Reef is listed in nautical miles, so go by the numbers. These bearings are for planning, and chart layers are not for navigation.
0.6 miles: Near Shore Reef
Near Shore Reef is 16 ft deep at 321 degrees from Longboat Pass. It is the closest structure to the pass on this list.
3.5 to 4.6 miles: 3 Mile South, 1 Mile and Gucken Reef
Depths here run from 25 to 33 ft.
- 3 Mile South Reef: 30 ft, 3.5 miles at 270 degrees from Longboat Pass.
- 1 Mile Reef: 25 ft, 4.3 nm at 320 degrees from the Longboat Pass entrance.
- Gucken Reef: 33 ft, 4.6 miles at 250 degrees from the tip of Anna Maria Island.
Check the reference point on each line, since Gucken Reef and 1 Mile Reef don’t share an origin with the others.
7.0 to 8.2 miles: 3 Mile North and the 7 Mile reefs
- 3 Mile North Reef: 28 ft, 7.0 miles at 305 degrees from Longboat Pass.
- 7 Mile South Reef: 40 ft, 8.0 miles at 270 degrees from Longboat Pass.
- 7 Mile North Reef: 40 ft, 8.2 miles at 270 degrees from the NW tip of Anna Maria Island.
The two 7 Mile reefs share a bearing but use different origins.
14.7 miles: Anna Maria Ledge
Anna Maria Ledge is 46 ft deep at 290 degrees from Longboat Pass. It is the deepest and farthest named structure on this list, and still shallower than the roughly 70 ft reported on 20+ mile grouper trips.
How gag are fished from Cortez
Reef bottom fishing is the local method. A Cortez-area review credits the captain’s charts and fish finder for placing the boat directly over reefs.
Because you’re fishing the structure itself, the job is to put the boat on it. Use your charts to reach the bearing, then confirm the relief on the fish finder before you drop. You can plot the bearings above as GPS waypoints, and depth relief reads on Chart Contours. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Who fishes gag out of Cortez
Two operators list gag grouper from this port. Use their ranges as benchmarks for your own day.
- Florida Fishing Fleet charters: Vessels named on its site are Savage Lady, Kingpin, Florida Man and Little Savage. Its 8-hour trip runs 20 to 30 miles and lists gag.
- Cortez Deep Sea Fishing: Eddy Lee Z, a 62 ft US Coast Guard inspected vessel. Its reef trips run 9 to 17 miles.
Together the fleet’s range runs from 9 to 30 miles, with the reported gag depth about 70 ft at 20+ miles.
FAQ about gag grouper fishing out of Cortez
How far do boats run for gag out of Cortez?
Reef trips run 9 to 17 miles. The Florida Fishing Fleet 8-hour trip, which lists gag, runs 20 to 30 miles.
What depth do grouper trips from Cortez fish?
About 70 ft. One review describes a grouper trip 20+ miles out in 70+ feet of water.
Is gag grouper fishing year-round from Cortez?
Operators run grouper trips year-round. Check the state and federal regulations pages for season rules before fishing.
What is the farthest named reef from Longboat Pass?
Anna Maria Ledge, at 46 ft, 14.7 miles at 290 degrees from Longboat Pass.
Which Cortez charters list gag grouper?
Florida Fishing Fleet (Savage Lady, Kingpin, Florida Man, Little Savage) and Cortez Deep Sea Fishing (Eddy Lee Z, 62 ft, US Coast Guard inspected).
