Matt09

If you like big fish, then private reefs are not a waste of money. I couldnt even buy a snapper of bridge rubble this year btw. Those spots were hammered, and always are every snapper season.

tbyrd212

Private reefs are well worth the cash if you like to catch bigger fish than your buddy!!!!!!!!! Here is a few pics of some trips this year from me and a friends boats. All off private reefs between 8-15 miles off the beach..

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capt mike

Thanks Matt!
Just got back off a great trip where in 270 feet of water (coops 4) with fads I caught Gags to 35 pounds,scamp to 17 pounds,Amberjack (released) to 40 pounds and the bonus fish was a 35 pound Bigeye tuna. Since I was running the boat I have no pics but we all had a great day. Any reef that has a fad above it will surprise you with the different species that it holds. We vented and thru back triggers to 8 pounds- don't know if they made it but my product works. Nuff said!! Graet day on the water!!

SouthAlabamaSlayer

capt mike, how much do these coops cost?

Wharf Rat

capt mike - stop bragging long enough to share with us how we can use your services for deploying these reefs??

capt mike

Reefs consist of 2 coops welded together deployed with permit paid for Total $650.00. Fads are $100 each.
You can contact me at mllile@gulftel.com

waterninja

As far as reefs moving, I built some for myself and deployed them via the legal permit process. They were only the min weight I think it was #150lbs. I put those down back in 2007 and they are still there. They are in 110' of water. I was out of town for a couple of years so I don't know if we had some tuff storms or not, but I was happy to see them still there on my sonar when I came back. I welded a rebar harness on the top so if I ever thought they were comprimised, I could easily hook up and move them a little. I used a pontoon barge to transport most of them, but some of them I just droped of my 20' center console. I built a wood platform on the front and back to protect the boat.

I have made many dives on different public florida specials. They do hold good fish, but not like stuff that has light pressure.

ryanbr

All right Mike, enough excuses!!!!! In the digital camera age it's a sin not to document those fish, if nothing else for your customers. At least before you clean em. And as for private reefs.............they are where most fish are caught. The only problem is that the amount of open area to dump ought to be flip-flopped with the area that's off limits. Private reefs are everywhere with almost no negative impacts!!!!!!!!! As for the guy who thinks private reefs are a waste. Many public reefs do hold fish and are worth all the effort the county has made to put them out. But you haven't experienced anything until you're down on a small private reef that has literally hundreds of fish looking at you from several feet away, coming to you, curious about what you are. And you dont have to swim your but off to shoot fish. You just sit on the bottom and pick off what you want. Awesome!!!!

Bryson13

I talked with Mike last night for about an hour. Great guy. I got lots of information from him and he answered every question I had. I was up front about what I want. Just some reefs to take my kids, friends and family to. If someone finds one then they find one. I'll put another out if I have to. I'm going to have him put 3 out for me w/FADs & I'm looking forward to taking my boys out to them next year.

swander

Good for you!! Great decision! You will have great times and create many good memories with family and friends!!