BJ Putnam Reef (BA0101)
Artificial reef Bay County, Florida, Gulf side. 174' Steel Ship B.J. Putnam..
What bites on BJ Putnam Reef
Structure in 106 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 BJ Putnam Reef
In 106 ft, pay out about 550 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 770 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 BJ Putnam 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: Destin fishing report (52 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hathaway Span #4 - Stage 1 East BA0067 | 1.1 mi | NNE | 101 ft |
| Stage I East- Hathaway BA0079 | 1.3 mi | NE | 96 ft |
| Hathaway Span #3 - Stage 1 East BA0065 | 1.3 mi | NE | 100 ft |
| Hathaway Span #3A - Stage 1 East BA0066 | 1.4 mi | NE | 100 ft |
| Raffield's Reef BA0062 | 1.6 mi | SE | 110 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.