When gray triggerfish are around Clearwater
Gray triggerfish fishing out of Clearwater is bottom fishing on reefs and ledges a short run from Clearwater Pass. Triggers come up on the shorter 4-hour nearshore bottom fishing trips, and a Reel Deal client review also mentions triggerfish on an 8-hour trip. For the wider coast, see the gray triggerfish fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the wider Gulf of Mexico guide.
For range, size and biology, see our gray triggerfish guide. This page gives depth, miles and bearing from Clearwater Pass for each ground.
Where boats run from Clearwater Pass
Every distance and bearing here is measured from Clearwater Pass. The listed grounds sit 5.0 to 14.3 mi out in 20 to 55 ft of water, in two groups: nearshore artificial reefs about 5 mi out in 20 to 33 ft, and ledges and reefs from 9.4 to 14.3 mi out in 40 to 55 ft.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Distance (mi) | Bearing from Clearwater Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Key Reef | 20 | 5.0 | 194° |
| Clearwater Reef | 27-32 | 5.0 | 311° |
| Dunedin Reef | 27-33 | – | – |
| Loggerhead Ledge | 40 | 9.4 | – |
| Rube Alan Reef | 50 | 12.0 | 260° |
| Veteran Reef | 45 | 12.8 | 300° |
| Gregs Ledge | 55 | 13.8 | 289° |
| Indian Shores Reef | 42 | 14.3 | 238° |
Clearwater Reef position from ReefsNwrecks.
You can view these reefs and ledges on the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Nearshore reefs, 20 to 33 ft
Three artificial reefs make up the short run. Sand Key Reef is the shallowest listed ground at 20 ft, 5.0 mi out at 194°. Clearwater Reef sits in 27 to 32 ft, also 5.0 mi out, at 311°. Dunedin Reef runs 27 to 33 ft.
The shorter 4-hour nearshore bottom fishing trips reach these grounds, and a small boat can run to any of them and still have time to fish.
Ledges and reefs, 40 to 55 ft
Past the nearshore reefs the bottom drops to 40 to 55 ft. In order of distance:
- Loggerhead Ledge: 40 ft, 9.4 mi out.
- Rube Alan Reef: 50 ft, 12.0 mi out at 260°.
- Veteran Reef: 45 ft, 12.8 mi out at 300°.
- Gregs Ledge: 55 ft, 13.8 mi out at 289°. This is the deepest listed ground.
- Indian Shores Reef: 42 ft, 14.3 mi out at 238°. This is the farthest listed ground.
Plan the run around the bearing and mileage, and carry enough fuel for the trip back.
How triggerfish are fished here
Triggers here are taken on bottom fishing trips. They come up alongside Key West grunts, porgies, sea bass and mangrove snapper, so a trip on these grounds is a mixed bag. Our reef fish guides cover the wider reef-fish picture.
Pick the ground by the water depth you want and the distance you are willing to run, then work the bottom.
Checking CWBF1 before the run
The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC station CWBF1 at Clearwater Beach, 27.978N 82.832W, which is also NOAA tide station 8726724. Read the wind, wave height and period there before the run, and check the official forecast.
Who fishes for them out of Clearwater
Stella Fishing Co. lists gray triggerfish among its catches. A Reel Deal client review mentions triggerfish on an 8-hour trip, and the shorter 4-hour nearshore bottom fishing trips work the nearshore reefs.
If you run your own boat, the same grounds are open to you. The table above gives the depth and bearing to start with.
FAQ: gray triggerfish out of Clearwater
Where does gray triggerfish fishing out of Clearwater happen?
On the named reefs and ledges from 5.0 to 14.3 mi off Clearwater Pass, in 20 to 55 ft of water.
How far is Clearwater Reef from Clearwater Pass?
5.0 mi at 311°, in 27 to 32 ft.
How deep is Loggerhead Ledge?
40 ft, 9.4 mi from Clearwater Pass.
What else bites alongside triggers here?
Key West grunts, porgies, sea bass and mangrove snapper, on bottom fishing trips.
Which buoy covers Clearwater?
NDBC station CWBF1 at Clearwater Beach, which is also NOAA tide station 8726724.
