Jim Champion Reef (HE0003)

Artificial reef Hernando County, Florida, Gulf side. 650 Cubic Yards of Concrete Culverts, Two Loads Also 6/12/91.

The state lists this mark as low-accuracy. Use it to get close, then find the structure on your sounder before you anchor.

What bites on Jim Champion Reef

Structure in 20 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 Jim Champion Reef

In 20 ft, pay out about 120 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 168 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 Jim Champion Reef

Crystal River fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Cedar Key fishing report (37 mi).

Nearby reefs

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.