Bell Shoal (BA0159)
Artificial reef Bay County, Florida, Gulf side. 1st of Two Drops of Reefballs This Date.
What bites on Bell Shoal
Structure in 21 ft on the Gulf coast usually holds: Sheepshead, Mangrove snapper, Gag grouper, Spanish mackerel, Flounder. What is actually biting changes with the season, water temperature and tide — the day's plan for this reef has the bite window and what to target that day.
Anchoring on Bell Shoal
In 21 ft, pay out about 125 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 175 ft at 7:1 when it's blowing. Drop the anchor up-drift of the structure by about the same distance and fall back onto it. Before you drop, kill the engine for 60 seconds and watch your GPS track — that's your real drift, and it beats any forecast.
Today's fishing report near Bell Shoal
Panama City Beach fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Apalachicola fishing report (33 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| MB 11 BA0403 | 12 yd | ESE | 22 ft |
| MB 11 BA0347 | 12 yd | ESE | 23 ft |
| Bill Cranford Reef BA0345 | 0.3 mi | NNW | 23 ft |
| Bell Shoal BA0155 | 0.4 mi | SE | 20 ft |
| Gordy's Memorial Reef BA0349 | 0.4 mi | SE | 23 ft |
Before you go
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change — check the current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules for the day you fish. Carry a descending device for reef fish you release.