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
t
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