North County Reef (Center) (PI0161)
Artificial reef Pinellas County, Florida, Gulf side. 120' X 30' X 7' Steel Barge, Facing East -West, Upright.
What bites on North County Reef (Center)
Structure in 45 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 North County Reef (Center)
In 45 ft, pay out about 245 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 343 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 North County Reef (Center)
Clearwater fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Tampa Bay fishing report (31 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| North County Reef (Center) PI0164 | 28 yd | SE | 42 ft |
| North County Center) PI0162 | 47 yd | ENE | 42 ft |
| North County Reef Limestone Boulders PI0166 | 71 yd | S | 45 ft |
| North County Reef (NW) PI0163 | 78 yd | NNW | 42 ft |
| North County Reef (NE)-A PI0165 | 87 yd | NNE | 45 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.