jerri Loc: Florida, South West Coast

I don't see many posts on salt water fishing in the Gulf. I live on south west coast of Florida.
Looking for tips on finding fish off shore 30 ft to 100 ft of water. Here thats 2 to 3 miles to 10 to 30 miles off shore. Looking for ideas on how to determine if bottom is good location. Most areas shown on charts as reefs or wrecks are so busy they are mostly fished out.
Appreciate any good ideas.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Hello Jerri: You are absolutely right. I live in Texas but do not hear anything about the West side of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Maybe you will get some members to respond. It is also a good place to explore. Just Sayin....RJS

E.pa.al Loc: Martin's Creek

welcome Jerri

FinFisherman Loc: Born in Ohio - 40 yrs Florida- Clearwater,Fl

Just watch your depth sounder for difference in bottom any time you find difference put a line down. Straight west from Hudson's #2 channel marker I found 3 larger rocks showing on the depth sounder and a difference in temperature. It turned out to be a fresh water spring and for water ever reason it drew schools of vermilion snapper which drew grouper. It's right on the 100' break.

Willitaylor Loc: Fort Myers, Florida

Welcome Jerri, I’m from SW Florida and enjoying my second day as a member. Agreed that there’s not many of us here. Probably too busy fishing.

bfallens Loc: Cape Coral, Florida

One thing I did to learn my depthfinder was to go to the "overfished" public reefs and just cruise around studying the bottom. Once you get to where you can identify structure at a place you know it should be... it makes it easier to identify bottom conditions at new places. And also, every time I catch a fish, my first glance is to the screen to see what bottom it is showing. I learned more watching and doing, than by people trying to explain to me.

The other thing is searching for structure "near" the reefs. I look for changes in depth near the public numbers, and then search in those areas for structure. Have had pretty good luck this year, although I am still very new at the saltwater thing. We have caught good snapper in about 45 ft this month, and sheepshead are still prevalent at the wrecks. Grouper and larger fish tend to be in 100' or more for now.