Gag grouper fishing out of Hernando Beach starts on rock piles and hard bottom, from water under 10 feet nearshore out to artificial reefs about 20 nautical miles west. The Hernando Beach fleet works both ends of that range along the Nature Coast. Season timing and the general picture are in our gag grouper guide. The wider picture is in the Gulf of Mexico region guide.
Where Hernando Beach boats run for gags
Boats run from nearshore rock in under 10 feet of water out to reefs about 20 nautical miles west.
- Short run: shallow rock close to the beach.
- Long run: deeper artificial structure about 20 nautical miles west.
Nearshore rock piles and hard bottom
Rock piles and hard bottom lie off Hernando Beach. Native Cracker Charters markets nearshore gag trips in under 10 feet of water. Gomez Rocks is a named nearshore rock area.
The run to Bendickson Reef
Bendickson Reef sits about 20 nautical miles west of Hernando Beach. Its Army tanks lie in 26 ft and its concrete culvert sites in 25 ft.
The grounds and structure that hold gags
Most of the named grounds are artificial reef. The table lists them from shallow nearshore rock out to Bendickson Reef.
| Ground | Structure | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Gomez Rocks (north and south) | pilings with rocks between them | |
| A.H. Richardson Reef | concrete culverts | 18 ft |
| Richardson Reef | Skyway concrete rubble | 20 ft |
| Jim Champion Reef | sites 1 to 4 | 20 ft |
| Reef Ball Reef | reef balls | 25 ft |
| Ghost Ship | decommissioned concrete sailboat | |
| Bendickson Reef | concrete culvert sites | 25 ft |
| Bendickson Reef | Army tanks | 26 ft |
The named reefs are marked as points in the app. The chart layers are not for navigation.
Gomez Rocks
Gomez Rocks, north and south, is described as pilings with rocks between them. The Hernando County boating resources list it among the local hazards and reefs.
A.H. Richardson Reef
Concrete culverts in 18 ft.
Richardson Reef Skyway rubble
Skyway concrete rubble in 20 ft.
Jim Champion Reef
Sites 1 to 4, in 20 ft.
Reef Ball Reef
Reef balls in 25 ft.
Ghost Ship
A decommissioned concrete sailboat.
Bendickson Reef culverts
Concrete culvert sites in 25 ft.
Bendickson Reef tanks
Army tanks in 26 ft, about 20 nautical miles west of Hernando Beach.
How gags are fished here
Local gag fishing relies on two live baits, pinfish and sardines. Both are fished on the rock piles, hard bottom and named reefs described above.
Live pinfish
Live pinfish are the first choice on the local rock and reef structure.
Live sardines
Live sardines are the other local bait, fished on the same grounds.
For general rigs and tackle, see our reef fish guides.
Who fishes gags out of Hernando Beach
Three charters list gag grouper from this port. Their trip descriptions give some indication of where each one fishes.
Angling Adventures
Angling Adventures lists a Sea Fox 256, a 26-foot offshore boat with twin 150 HP Yamaha outboards.
Native Cracker Charters
Native Cracker Charters markets nearshore trips in under 10 feet of water, which points to the shallow rock pattern.
Chase N Tails Fishing Charters
Chase N Tails Fishing Charters lists gag grouper.
FAQ: gag grouper fishing out of Hernando Beach
How far do boats run from Hernando Beach for gag grouper?
From nearshore rock in under 10 feet out to Bendickson Reef, about 20 nautical miles west.
How shallow do gags hold off Hernando Beach?
Native Cracker Charters markets nearshore gag trips in under 10 feet, on rock piles and hard bottom.
What bait is used for gags at Hernando Beach?
Live pinfish and live sardines.
What is at Bendickson Reef?
Army tanks in 26 ft and concrete culvert sites in 25 ft, about 20 nautical miles west.
Which charters list gag grouper out of Hernando Beach?
Angling Adventures, Native Cracker Charters and Chase N Tails Fishing Charters LLC.
