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Treasure Coast Fishing Guide
Diving the Treasure Coast
Ft. Pierce's Inlet and the St. Lucie Inlet in Stuart provide quick access to an extensive system of sport diving reefs in depths ranging from 8' located several hundred yards off the beach to 90' located twelve to seventeen miles due east. "Pecks Lake," located just south of the St. Lucie Inlet boasts some of the most beautiful shallow water diving (8'- 15') in the area.
A particularly productive system of reefs for lobstering and spearfishing lies in 50' to 70' feet and extends from south of Stuart to north of Vero Beach. Due to the topography of Florida' coastline, the distance east to these reefs increases as you travel north along the Treasure Coast. Reefs in 55' are found six miles east of the St. Lucie Inlet; traveling to this same depth from the Ft. Pierce Inlet may be a seven to nine mile east run. The reefs east of Vero Beach, the Bethel Shoals area, are among Treasure Coast's richest yet least visited dive destinations. These reefs are located approximately seventeen to twenty-two miles northeast of the Ft. Pierce Inlet.
The Treasure Coast's rich bounty of lobster and variety of fish however come with a challenge. Ocean currents, particularly from the north, and sometimes deep ocean swells often limit visibility.
From October to March the water visibility can greatly vary. Winter water temperatures remain relatively constant: 70 to 76 degrees. Calmer seas and southern winds greatly increase the water visibility during late spring, summer, and early fall. Ironically, summer often brings deep cold water upwellings that can plunge the bottom temperture to a chilly 55 to 60 degrees.
New to the area, got a boat, and looking for a good place to dive?
Here's your best bet: Run out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet on a southeast bearing of 120 degrees until you hit about 50'. Continue southeast watching your depth finder for the bottom ledges. Remember, lobsters like the low ledges (2' to 3'); big fish like the bigger ledges.
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