Billy Gillen Memorial Reef (BA0025)
Artificial reef Bay County, Florida, Gulf side. 3 Modules; 2 Florida Limestone and 1 Ecosystem on Piling.
What bites on Billy Gillen Memorial Reef
Structure in 20 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 Billy Gillen Memorial Reef
In 20 ft, pay out about 120 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 168 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 Billy Gillen Memorial 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 (31 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Gillen Memorial Reef BA0430 | 1 yd | NW | 21 ft |
| Billy Gillen Memorial Reef BA0362 | 1 yd | NW | 21 ft |
| MB 12 Capt. Tom Hudson Memorial Reef BA0361 | 0.3 mi | W | 22 ft |
| Captain Tom Hudson Memorial Reef BA0127 | 0.3 mi | W | 25 ft |
| MB 207 BA0428 | 0.3 mi | NNW | 20 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.