Ernie Johnson Memorial Reef (BA0534)
Artificial reef Bay County, Florida, Gulf side. 2 Concrete modules (2 tetrahedrons, 8').
What bites on Ernie Johnson Memorial Reef
Structure in 65 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 Ernie Johnson Memorial Reef
In 65 ft, pay out about 345 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 483 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 Ernie Johnson Memorial Reef
Apalachicola fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Panama City Beach fishing report (35 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| MB-137 BA0259 | 0.2 mi | W | 69 ft |
| MB-249 W.Reiners III Memorial BA0465 | 0.2 mi | NNW | 66 ft |
| MB-136 BA0258 | 0.4 mi | NW | 69 ft |
| Charles Deaton Memorial Reef BA0523 | 0.4 mi | NW | 69 ft |
| MB-134 BA0255 | 0.4 mi | N | 65 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.