When gray triggerfish are around Fernandina Beach
Gray triggerfish are open most of the year at this port, with brief federal closures, per Pipe Dream. That makes gray triggerfish fishing out of Fernandina Beach something you can plan around in more months than not. Every depth below is in feet, and every distance is in miles from the inlet. For the wider coast, see the gray triggerfish fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the wider Atlantic Southeast guide.
This guide covers the run tiers, the named structure with depths and positions, the local method, and the charters that list the fish. Closures change, so the rules sit with the agencies rather than on this page.
How far boats run for triggerfish off Fernandina
Boats run in three tiers from the inlet: inner structure 15 to 25 miles out, The Ledge as the next named destination, and the Gulf Stream temperature break and weed lines at 50 to 70-plus miles.
| Tier | Where | Distance from the inlet |
|---|---|---|
| Inner structure | Nearshore wrecks and live bottom | 15 to 25 miles |
| The Ledge | Named destination | – |
| Outer edge | Gulf Stream temperature break and weed lines | 50 to 70-plus miles |
Inner structure, 15 to 25 miles
A 6-hour trip fishes the inner structure 15 to 25 miles out: nearshore wrecks and live bottom. The named artificial reefs and culvert sites are listed in the next section with depths and positions.
The Ledge
The Ledge is the step beyond the inner structure, a named destination boats run to from the inlet.
Gulf Stream break and weed lines, 50 to 70-plus miles
The Gulf Stream temperature break and weed lines sit in 100 to 1000 ft, 50 to 70-plus miles out of the inlet, per Pipe Dream. This is the outer end of the local run and not a triggerfish spot.
Grounds and structure that hold gray triggerfish
These are the named artificial reefs and concrete culvert sites to look at, listed shallowest to deepest. For more on the bottom species that share this kind of structure, see our reef fish guides.
The positions here and the chart layers in the app are not for navigation. Check them against your official chart.
| Site | Depth (ft) | Position |
|---|---|---|
| FB-6 culverts site | 60 | About 30 39.9 N, 81 11.0 W |
| BA reef sites (BA Reef, BA Site) | 60 to 65 | – |
| Captain Daddy (CD-06-#01) artificial reef | 67 | 30 25.920 N, 81 15.953 W |
| Captain Daddy (CD-06-#02) artificial reef | 67 | – |
| Fernandina Banks Barbett and 1989 culverts | 70 | About 30 36.6 N, 81 10.6 W |
| Fernandina Snapper Banks culverts (FC sites) | 70 to 83 | About 30 36 to 30 38.7 N, 81 11 W |
FB-6 culverts
The FB-6 culverts are concrete culverts in 60 ft, at about 30 39.9 N, 81 11.0 W.
BA reef sites
The BA reef sites, BA Reef and BA Site, sit in 60 to 65 ft.
Captain Daddy, CD-06-#01 and #02
Both Captain Daddy artificial reefs sit in 67 ft. The CD-06-#01 position is 30 25.920 N, 81 15.953 W, per the FWC guide.
Barbett and the 1989 culverts
The Barbett, a wooden boat, lies with culverts placed in 1989 on the Fernandina Banks, in 70 ft at about 30 36.6 N, 81 10.6 W.
Fernandina Snapper Banks culverts
The Snapper Banks culverts are the FC sites, concrete culverts placed from 1988 to 1991, in 70 to 83 ft at about 30 36 to 30 38.7 N, 81 11 W. The latitude range covers a stretch of bottom rather than a single mark.
How triggerfish are fished here and who fishes them
The numbers get you to the bottom, and the rig is what you drop there.
Lighter bottom rigs
Pipe Dream fishes lighter bottom rigs for gray triggerfish. For tackle, hooks and biology, see our gray triggerfish guide.
Local charters that list gray triggerfish
Three charters out of the port list gray triggerfish:
- Pipe Dream Charters out of FernandinaCapt. Scott Thompson.
- HooDoo Sportfishing ChartersCapts. Tim Altman and Chris Altman, father and son.
- BeatTheOddz Charters with Capt. KennyCapt. Kenny.
FAQ: gray triggerfish fishing out of Fernandina Beach
When are gray triggerfish open out of Fernandina Beach?
Open most of the year with brief federal closures, per Pipe Dream. Check the Florida and federal rules before you go.
How far out are the triggerfish reefs?
A 6-hour trip fishes inner structure, nearshore wrecks and live bottom, 15 to 25 miles out. Boats also run to The Ledge. The Gulf Stream break at 50 to 70-plus miles is the outer end of the run.
What depth are the Fernandina culvert reefs?
- FB-6 culverts: 60 ft.
- Barbett and 1989 culverts: 70 ft.
- Snapper Banks culverts: 70 to 83 ft.
What are the Captain Daddy reef coordinates?
CD-06-#01 sits at 30 25.920 N, 81 15.953 W in 67 ft, per the FWC guide.
Which charters target triggerfish here?
Pipe Dream (Capt. Scott Thompson), HooDoo (Capts. Tim Altman and Chris Altman) and BeatTheOddz (Capt. Kenny) list gray triggerfish.
Where are the size and bag limits?
On the Florida regulations page and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s page. Check both before fishing.
