Our History

The Reef Rod and Gun Club, Inc. came to life and was incorporated as a 501 (C) 7 Non Profit corporation in February of 1997. With four original members, and the desire to have something a little different than most on property clubs, the Rod & Gun Club now has over 500 members.

Since its inception, the Rod & Gun Club has been committed to conservation programs to protect our fishery and the habitat. The flats markers in front of Ocean Reef, as well as on numerous other flats in the area, were installed by the Rod & Gun Club and are maintained on a yearly basis.

Member benefits include: discounts at MarineMax & Orvis, invitations to fishing, shooting and "how-to" seminars, special guest lectures at the ORC Cultural Center, fishing and shooting trips, access to Card Sound Clay Targets, dinners, cocktail parties and fundraisers throughout the entire Ocean Reef season.

The Rod & Gun Club maintains a clay target facility located on Card Sound Road approximately 11 miles from the Ocean Reef front gate - Card Sound Clay Targets. RGC members are welcome to enjoy Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clay shooting. For kids, there is also an air gun pellet target range available. We expect to add an archery range in the near future. The entire RGC family is welcome.

Only through membership and member participation in RGC events have we been able to donate to the following organizations and causes over the past few years:

for continuing bonefish and tarpon research with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine Science.

scholarship program which assist high school seniors on their way through college when they major in Marine Sciences.

for a project to return sea urchins to the Keys reefs. Sea urchins help keep coral clean and healthy by eating the algae on the coral.

South Florida National Parks Trust, for a project to replace, as well as install more flats and channel markers in Florida bay and Everglades National Park.

The Guides Trust Foundation, which is geared to help Florida Keys fishing guides who need short term financial assistance.

Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust, which helps support youth fishing in the Upper Keys, as well as the rest of Monroe County.

The Everglades Foundation, founded in 1993, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to leading efforts to restore and protect the greater Everglades ecosystem.

Coastal Conservation Association - dedicated to ensuring the health and conservation of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them.

Florida Keys History and Discovery Center - their mission is to support a world-class history and discovery center that accurately reflects our Florida Keys in a multi-faceted and interactive environment.

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Marine Resource Development Fund - Ocean Research and Education since 1971.

National Parks Conservation Association, Restoring America's National Parks

Wildlife Foundation of Florida, ensuring the preservation of Florida's fish and wildlife resources by identifying crucial projects and funding these efforts.

Coral Restoration Foundation, developing off-shore coral nurseries and reef restoration programs for critically endangered coral reefs at local, national, and international levels.

Reef Environmental Education Foundation,  (REEF) to conserve marine ecosystems by educating, enlisting and enabling divers and other marine enthusiasts to become active ocean stewards and citizen scientists.

Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida - a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to protect our outstanding animals and plants and the lands and waters they need to survive.

Florida Key Wild Bird Center, helping to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native and migratory wild birds that have been harmed or displaced, to provide or locate a humane shelter for those birds that cannot be released, and to educate the public toward the importance of coexistence with all wild bird species.

Sanctuary Friends of the Florida Keys, supports the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in the preservation, restoration, and sustainable use of our coral reef and marine ecosystems

John Pennekamp State Park, educating our community about The Reef, Reef Animals, Snorkeling, Diving, and much, much more.

Audubon of South Florida, conserving and restoring natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.

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Our Environmental & Fishery Partners​