Heron Tugboat (ES0031)
Artificial reef Escambia County, Florida, Gulf side. 53' Tugboat, the "Heron", Next to LCM "Elise".
What bites on Heron Tugboat
Structure in 90 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 Heron Tugboat
In 90 ft, pay out about 470 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 658 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 Heron Tugboat
Pensacola fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Orange Beach fishing report (22 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCM ES0032 | 33 yd | W | 0 ft |
| Concrete Pyramids ES0058 | 0.4 mi | NNE | 101 ft |
| Philip Tugboat ES0036 | 0.4 mi | SE | 96 ft |
| Scrap Steel ES0014 | 0.4 mi | ENE | 78 ft |
| Born Again Tugboat ES0039 | 0.5 mi | W | 96 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.