The Indian Shores artificial reef is one of the least fished ones because of its location, in 45 feet of water about 14 miles from John's Pass and about 12 from Clearwater Pass. When construction began in 1975, three buoys marked the centerline of the area where the federal permit allowed the material. The two end buoys were a mile apart and the permit extended the width of the reef to 300 yards on each side of the centerline. Concrete culverts and other construction materials were placed within this area. Three barges were sunk on the site, one near the old center buoy, one near the south buoy and another southwest of where the old north buoy was tethered. The three buoys made finding the structure relatively easy. The old center buoy was at latitude 27.51:24 N and longitude 83.01:48 W.
The reef is marked by one buoy in the center of a new permitted area that is about a mile square and encompasses the salt hopper barge. That buoy is not at the location of the old center marker. Just west of the marker is a pyramid of culvert and pilings that rises 20 feet. The high-profile structure on this reef harbors large quantities of baitfish and whatever pelagics are in season. The low-profile concrete culverts and slabs dropped away from the centerline have every type of bottom fish a natural reef will support.
- Capt. Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach and can be reached at 727 397-8815 or by e-mail at Luckytoo2@aol.com
