USS ZEPHYR (PC 8) (OK0549)
Artificial reef Okaloosa County, Florida, Gulf side. 178' x 25' Steel Cyclone-class Patrol Coastal vessel, USAF QUICKSINK operation.
What bites on USS ZEPHYR (PC 8)
Structure in 157 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 USS ZEPHYR (PC 8)
In 157 ft, pay out about 805 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 1127 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 USS ZEPHYR (PC 8)
Destin fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Pensacola fishing report (39 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| USS SHAMAL (PC 13) OK0548 | 2.9 mi | WNW | 165 ft |
| M/V Courageous OK0532 | 2.9 mi | NNE | 130 ft |
| NRDA WM-LC-59 OK0480 | 3.5 mi | N | 128 ft |
| NRDA WM-LC-63 OK0473 | 3.6 mi | NNE | 129 ft |
| NRDA WM-LC-55 OK0474 | 3.9 mi | NNE | 126 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.