Red grouper fishing out of Boca Grande means running to a depth band that sits beyond the nearshore reefs. This page lists the named reefs off Boca Grande with depth, distance and bearing, measured from Boca Grande Pass for most and from Gasparilla Pass for one. It also covers when the fish are reported, how far boats run, how deep they are, and the method used locally. For the wider coast, see the red grouper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the wider Gulf of Mexico guide.
When red grouper are around off Boca Grande
A regional April report says red grouper were consistent offshore. That reading is regional rather than specific to Boca Grande, so use it as a starting point for planning, not as a calendar. For biology, spawning and the general season picture, see our red grouper fishing guide.
- Regional reading: April, consistent offshore
- Port-specific month: none to quote
How far boats run and how deep
Red grouper trips from here are long days that go past the nearshore reefs. The trip listings and the regional depth reading set the scale.
Trip length
Anchors Away trip details list red grouper on the 8 and 9 hour trips, so plan for a long run.
Depth
The regional April report put red grouper in 100-150 feet of water. That is a regional reading, not a Boca Grande one. Every named reef below sits between 12 and 70 feet, shallower than that band. The reefs are reference structure, and the regional depth band lies farther out.
| Reading | Depth (ft) | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Regional April report | 100-150 | Regional |
| Named Boca Grande reefs | 12-70 | Port |
Reefs and structure off Boca Grande and Gasparilla passes
The table runs from nearest to farthest. Every bearing and distance is from Boca Grande Pass except Mary Reef, which is measured from Gasparilla Pass. CCA Phoenix Reef and Gasparilla Reef are listed by depth only.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Distance (mi) | Bearing (°) | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Reef | 30 | 3.0 | 205 | Gasparilla Pass |
| Helen Reef | 30 | 5.7 | 195 | Boca Grande Pass |
| PowerPole Reef | 45 | 7.3 | 254 | Boca Grande Pass |
| Charlottes Reef | 52 | 12.7 | 286 | Boca Grande Pass |
| Causeway Reef | 26 | 12.8 | 286 | Boca Grande Pass |
| Boxcar Reef | 70 | 21 | 267 | Boca Grande Pass |
| CCA Phoenix Reef | 50 | – | – | – |
| Gasparilla Reef | 12 | – | – | – |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
These artificial reefs are the structure around the two passes. For the wider offshore picture, see Southwest Florida reef fish.
Plotting these bearings and distances against the Chart Contours layer is a useful planning step before a run. Chart layers are not for navigation. Use the NOAA Coast Pilot chapter for the pass and entrance.
Inside 6 miles
Mary Reef sits 3.0 miles at 205° from Gasparilla Pass, in 30 feet. Helen Reef sits 5.7 miles at 195° from Boca Grande Pass, also in 30 feet. Both are short runs, but they use different reference passes, so plot each from the right one.
7 to 13 miles
PowerPole Reef is in 45 feet, 7.3 miles at 254° from Boca Grande Pass. Charlottes Reef is in 52 feet, 12.7 miles at 286°. Causeway Reef is in 26 feet, 12.8 miles at 286°. Charlottes and Causeway share the 286° line from Boca Grande Pass, sit 0.1 mile apart and differ by 26 feet of depth, so one heading covers both.
Boxcar Reef at 21 miles
Boxcar Reef is the deepest and farthest listed ground: 70 feet, 21 miles at 267° from Boca Grande Pass. Even Boxcar sits shallower than the regional 100-150 foot band.
Shallow reference reefs
Gasparilla Reef lies in 12 feet. The CCA Phoenix Reef lies in 50 feet. Use both as depth references. The 12-70 foot list is reference structure on the way to deeper water, and it does not promise fish on any reef.
How red grouper are fished here
Bottom fishing is the local method, and the trip listings show who runs for red grouper out of this port.
Bottom fishing
Per Anchors Away, you put the bait on the bottom over structure and fish it there.
Who fishes them
Anchors Away lists red grouper on its 8 and 9 hour trips. Own-boat anglers can use the reefs and bearings above to plan self-guided runs. Weigh the 8 and 9 hour length against your own boat, fuel and day.
FAQ: red grouper fishing out of Boca Grande
How far offshore do boats run for red grouper from Boca Grande?
Anchors Away lists red grouper on its 8 and 9 hour trips. The named reefs run from 3.0 to 21 miles from the passes, with Boxcar Reef the farthest at 21 miles. The charter listings give no mileage.
What depth are red grouper in off Boca Grande?
A regional April report put red grouper in 100-150 feet of water. That is a regional reading, not a Boca Grande one. The named reefs sit in 12-70 feet.
Which reef off Boca Grande is deepest?
Boxcar Reef. It lies in 70 feet, 21 miles at 267° from Boca Grande Pass.
How are red grouper fished here?
Bottom fishing, per Anchors Away.
What months are best?
A regional April report says red grouper were consistent offshore. We give no month specific to the port. For the broader season picture, see our red grouper fishing guide.
