Fall Fishing Just Got Bigger and Better in Franklin County

Franklin County’s artificial reef program expanded just in time for the fall fishing season thanks to the recent deployment of 65 custom-built, concrete pyramid-shaped units that were sunk offshore of St. George Island and Dog Island on August 13. The deployment by Alabama-based marine contractor Walter Marine was the culmination of a three- year coordinated effort between the Apalachicola Artificial Reef Association (AARA) working in conjunction with the Organization for Artificial Reefs (OAR).

The August reef deployment expands the existing Buddy Ward Memorial Reef site, located roughly nine miles south of the Bob Sikes Cut, expands the Carl Ennis site near Dog Island and creates a new “Mickler” reef, located roughly 18 miles southeast of Dog Island in honor of OAR volunteer William “Bill” Mickler (1947-2024).  Several individual memorial reef units were also included in the 65-unit deployment at the three reef sites.

According to area reef experts, the new structures will immediately begin attracting fish including King Mackerel, Cobia and Black Sea Bass just in time for fall fishing season. The newly deployed individual structures will help populate new and existing reef sites. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website documents more than 80 artificial reef sites located off the Franklin County coastline stretching from Alligator Point to Apalachicola.  A complete list of coordinates and more detailed information about the area’s artificial reefs, can be found at apalachicolareef.org or the OAR website at oarreefs.org. Statewide artificial reef information can be found through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website.

Closer to Shore – Fall Redfish Season In Full Swing

Closer to shore, fall is a great time to enjoy inshore fishing for Redfish and other perennial favorites. According to Kathy Robinson with Robinson Brothers Guide Service, the Redfish fingerlings stocked several years ago have grown to legal size so get ready! Speckled Trout, Tripletail & Flounder are also some Fall favorites to reel in she says. Take your pick from a wide variety of inshore fishing hotspots: from the Apalachicola River basin and the estuary system to barrier island bay shallows and oyster bars to sand flats and seagrass flats.

Need a guide? One of the area’s experienced fishing captains can help you score.
Click here to find maps and reef coordinates through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.