This week on the Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya and co-host Butch Thierry lean into a true off-season topic that pays off all year: building private artificial reefs. They’re joined by Capt. Kendall Annan of Gulf Rebel Charters, who brings a rare perspective as both a full-time charter captain and an active scuba diver who checks reefs underwater. The conversation covers why reefs matter, what designs hold up, how fish actually use structure, how long it takes a new reef to “turn on,” and how to manage pressure so a great spot stays great. Capt. Kendall also works closely with Reefmaker and shares practical advice for anglers who want to build reefs the right way, legally, and with the long game in mind.
Conditions Recap
Cold weather and a tough week to gather typical bite reports set the tone. Joe and Butch note that the weekend ahead looks seriously cold, and for many anglers, this is prime time to focus on boat maintenance, gear prep, and projects that improve future fishing. That naturally leads into reef building: a wintertime job that can create reliable “close to port” fish-producing structure when conditions line up later in the season.
Why Build Private Artificial Reefs
Kendall’s best analogy is a garden: public numbers can fish well, but they’re also getting “picked” by everyone. A private reef works 24/7 whether you fish every weekend or only a few times a month, and over time it grows its own ecosystem. He and the hosts stress that this is one of the most direct ways a recreational angler can be a steward of the fishery on the northern Gulf Coast. More structure on predominantly sandy bottom means more habitat, more bait, and more opportunities for reef fish to set up and reproduce.
From a pure fishing standpoint, reefs are also a crowd-pleaser. If you’re taking family or friends, bottom fishing keeps rods bent and puts fish in the box. And if you build enough structure, you’re not forced into the “run and gun” approach across heavily pressured public numbers.
How Fish Use Structure (What Most Anglers Miss)
One of Kendall’s biggest points is that fish aren’t always “glued” to the highest part of the reef. On dives, he often sees keeper fish pushed off the structure and holding on the edges, up-current, or slightly off to the side. That means an angler can mark the reef, drop straight down, and still miss the best bite if they don’t work the perimeter.
His recommendation is to slow down and “hunt” the area around the reef. Use controlled passes and turns to locate the little rock, the off-to-the-side bait ball, or the piece that holds the better class of fish that day. A small miss on a reef can be the difference between steady action and a quiet stop.
Kendall also notes that bigger structure does not automatically mean more fish. Some small or partially buried structure can still hold quality fish, especially if it provides a current break and just enough habitat to collect forage.
Gear and tools mentioned in this discussion include slow trolling and working the edges, plus having the right rigs ready to adjust on the fly (including slow pitch-style presentations when conditions fit).
Reef Materials, Design, and Durability
The “wild west” days of sinking anything are gone, and Kendall says modern reef building is more regulated and more intentional. Over time, he’s worked with (and seen produce) everything from concrete structures to heavier steel and large objects that can withstand storms. His biggest durability takeaway for the northern Gulf is simple: hurricanes and shifting sand are the reality, and heavier structures are generally less likely to move.
On design, he sees clear species-specific preferences underwater. Grouper and other fish that like security tend to favor reefs with internal space, holes, and places to get inside. That’s one reason concrete pyramids with cavities can fish so well for the long haul. Meanwhile, vertical relief can be a major factor for pelagics and bait presence, especially deeper, where fish often “dance” up and down the structure like an elevator in the current.
Kendall highlights Reefmaker designs that are built for longevity and production, including concrete pyramid-style reefs and other structures intended to survive storms while building habitat year-round.
Placement Strategy: Cover Water, Then Refine
If you’re just starting out, Kendall’s advice is to prioritize coverage. Spread reefs out and build a network that gives you options depending on sea conditions, water quality, and where fish set up week to week. He strongly recommends not putting all your eggs in one basket early on. Some reefs will be average, some will be great, and a few can become true “barn burners” for reasons nobody fully understands.
For charter captains, that spread also matters for trip management and safety. Having private options in different directions from port can let you choose the most comfortable run and still have an ace in the hole when weather, time, or a sick crew forces a change of plans.
Kendall also cautions anglers about “loose lips sink ships.” If you do share numbers, be smart about who’s in the circle and how those numbers can spread.
How Long Until a New Reef Produces Fish
Kendall has checked reefs as quickly as the next day and seen bait show first, with small snapper showing up fast when conditions line up. As a practical rule, he suggests three months is a reasonable window to see a noticeable improvement, while six months is a better benchmark before you expect to consistently harvest quality keeper fish off a new reef. After that, reefs can continue to improve as growth builds, bait increases, and fish establish residency.
He also emphasizes not writing off a spot. Fish move based on oxygen, temperature, bait, and current. Reefs can be slow one month and loaded the next. Hurricanes can bury or uncover structure, and some reefs can shift surprisingly far and still be found if you search intelligently.
Managing Your Reefs and Harvest Pressure
A major theme is treating a great spot like it’s truly your ace. Kendall says many anglers find a hot reef and then hammer it day after day, advertise it unintentionally by sitting on it for hours, and the spot fades. His approach is to track what he takes off each reef, rotate spots, and keep fish healthy with strong release practices when needed.
He’s also blunt about avoiding waste. High-grading (throwing back a dead 10-pounder hoping for a 12-pounder) is a non-starter for him. If you’re releasing fish, be prepared and efficient: have your descending gear ready to go, with the right setup so fish can get back down quickly and survive.
Gear and tools mentioned here include having a dedicated descending setup ready on deck, and building a process that gets fish back down fast when regulations or seasons require release.
Permitting and How to Get Started
Kendall recommends starting with your local reef program office to understand the current requirements, approved materials, and inspection process. If you want the simplest path, he suggests working directly with Reefmaker, who can handle the heavy lifting, permitting logistics, and deployment while you focus on choosing your area and building a long-term plan.
Kendall notes that one of the special things about the northern Gulf Coast is the opportunity (in certain areas) to legally deploy private artificial reefs. Done right, it’s a rare chance for everyday anglers to meaningfully improve the fishery.
