Stephen A. Cook Reef (BA0444)
Artificial reef Bay County, Florida, Gulf side. 2 Modules; 1 Florida Limestone & Grouper Reef Module.
What bites on Stephen A. Cook Reef
Structure in 105 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 Stephen A. Cook Reef
In 105 ft, pay out about 545 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 763 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 Stephen A. Cook 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 (44 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| MB-183 Unnamed BA0048 | 0.2 mi | ESE | 96 ft |
| MB-155 Unnamed BA0299 | 0.2 mi | NE | 97 ft |
| Century Boat Reef BA0443 | 0.3 mi | N | 105 ft |
| MB-154 Unnamed BA0298 | 0.4 mi | SSE | 98 ft |
| Bill Horn's Reef BA0301 | 0.4 mi | ENE | 93 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.