Big Bend Saltwater Classic Reef (BA0289)
Artificial reef Bay County, Florida, Gulf side. 25 Walter Coquina Florida Special Units, Funded By OAR.
What bites on Big Bend Saltwater Classic Reef
Structure in 143 ft on the Gulf coast usually holds: Red snapper, Red grouper, Vermilion snapper, Amberjack, Scamp. 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 Big Bend Saltwater Classic Reef
In 143 ft, pay out about 735 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 1029 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 Big Bend Saltwater Classic Reef
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 (60 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC NRDA Reef #10 BA0571 | 0.6 mi | SW | 133 ft |
| BCARA Hopper Barge BA0467 | 0.7 mi | NNE | 148 ft |
| BC NRDA Reef #16 BA0577 | 1.3 mi | NE | 130 ft |
| BC NRDA Reef #9 BA0574 | 2.0 mi | N | 124 ft |
| G. D. Bloomberg Memorial Reef BA0552 | 3.4 mi | NNE | 130 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, and federal rules, since this reef is in federal water. Carry a descending device for reef fish you release.