MB-173 (BA0031)
Artificial reef Bay County, Florida, Gulf side. Oceaneering Steel Cable Reel 14'x10'x14'.
What bites on MB-173
Structure in 79 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 MB-173
In 79 ft, pay out about 415 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 581 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 MB-173
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 (44 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Conservation Association Florida and Duke Energy BA0527 | 1 yd | NW | 76 ft |
| MB 199 BA0336 | 0.3 mi | S | 77 ft |
| Sherman X Tug Boat BA0120 | 0.5 mi | SE | 80 ft |
| MB-251 BA0469 | 0.5 mi | E | 77 ft |
| MB-275 Unnamed BA0526 | 0.7 mi | SSE | 76 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.