Capt. Hornblower Reef (BA0617)
Artificial reef Bay County, Florida, Gulf side. 89' Steel Tugboat, formerly "G. R. Gainer Tug".
What bites on Capt. Hornblower Reef
Structure in 96 ft on the Gulf coast usually holds: Red snapper, Gag grouper, Red grouper, Mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Amberjack. 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 Capt. Hornblower Reef
In 96 ft, pay out about 500 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 700 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 Capt. Hornblower 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 (42 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceaneering Reels 3B BA0513 | 41 yd | N | 97 ft |
| Oceaneering Reel 3A BA0512 | 56 yd | NNW | 97 ft |
| Oceaneering Reel 2 BA0511 | 160 yd | ENE | 98 ft |
| Oceaneering Reel 1B BA0510 | 1.8 mi | SSE | 97 ft |
| Oceaneering Reel 1A BA0509 | 1.8 mi | SSE | 97 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.