Mike Johnston Memorial Reef (FR0081)
Artificial reef Franklin County, Florida, Gulf side. 9 Prefabricated modules (8' tetrahedrons).
What bites on Mike Johnston Memorial Reef
Structure in 38 ft on the Gulf coast usually holds: Sheepshead, Mangrove snapper, Gag grouper, Spanish mackerel, Flounder. 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 Mike Johnston Memorial Reef
In 38 ft, pay out about 210 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 294 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 Mike Johnston 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 (70 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Burrous Reef FR0080 | 0.3 mi | E | 38 ft |
| Buddy Ward Reef B FR0070 | 0.3 mi | N | 43 ft |
| Buddy Ward Reef E FR0073 | 0.3 mi | W | 43 ft |
| Buddy Ward Reef C FR0071 | 0.4 mi | NE | 43 ft |
| Buddy Ward I FR0087 | 0.4 mi | SW | 43 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.