Alligator reef or the Concrete Reef
Same reef different names, some call it the 1 mile, there are others names
this reef was made from the ruble of the old bridge which used to span between
Port Charlotte & Punta Gorda.

This reef is marked with 2 concrete piling at the North end.
2 concrete pilings at the south end.          

The reef is about 3.5 miles south of Ponce De Leon park.

For you direction impaired here are the G.P.S. numbers

26-51-505    082-05-332 north end

26-50-502    082-05-335 South end

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Here you can see the concrete markers at the end of the reef.
at night they do have lights on top of them, but they don't often work.

 

 

 

This reef was started at each end, the contractor started dumping concrete at the north end,
 then after reaching 1/3 of the way south
They started dumping at the south end.
 Unfortunately there was not enough material for the whole section.
 so the cent 1/3 of the reef has very little material.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a typical day on the reef, in the distance you can see the markers on the other end.
 

                 From end to end 1 mile, north & south two pilings at each end.

 

 

Later a Sea grant agent was able to get the funding to place reef balls

 

   Each ball is about 4 foot across
  and has holes in it to make houses for the fish

   Rich Novak Sea grant agent had them
   Placed in groups of three balls,
   Every 30 feet up and down each side
  which did complete the reef as 1 whole reef

 

  

 

 

 

Trolling

 

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   This reef often hold Grouper Gag or Goliath "Jew fish" the way to tell the
  difference is the Goliath has a round tail,
    and the tail on the Gag is straight.
 
   Mangrove  Snappers, Sheep head, Spade fish, Black drum also use this reef,
 
    Spanish mackerel, Sharks, Cobia all will visit this reef looking for food.

    Spinney box fish, Sea horses, Sea robins are also found here regularly

    This is a good spot to drop anchor and use Chum.
    Do not just drop Anchor right over the reef, if you want to keep that anchor
    stay out to one side and let the chum bring them to you.

   once you are anchored don't fall in love with that spot.
     cast out a line with a bobber on it. hold the rod tip in the water
   and see what direction the currant is really taking your chum
   It could be going away from the reef doing you no good at all.
   in this case re-anchor your boat to a place where the currant
    will carry the chum into the reef and bring the fish to you.

 

 Distance from the Ramps to the Reef