Confederates Reef

[mlam]

Anyone fish Confederates Reef recently, just west of South Deer Island? If so, how should I rig up and what should I use, artificial or live bait under a cork?

[Robalo]

Either and yes-right now may be good in 2-6' water range under slow drift. I start near the point not too far from the houses under a "normal" SE wind-be careful of the "s" shaped reef-you can easily hit it and it aint much below water!

[mlam]

Thanks for the advice, I will try the reef on the Northside. I went on the south side a while back and what seemed to be surrounded by shallow water. I understand the reef complex here now. I see that the northside of the reef my have access to some deeper guts, is that right?

[WestEndAngler]

During the hot summer months I target drop off... I'd work the channel from 2' to 4' off of confederates its the old ICW

[mlam]

is that 2' to 4' depth of water?

[Robalo]

Yep-more like 4-6'. Deeper north of old ICW channel. I fish west part of Confederate and south of old ICW channel, especially under SE wind, that way I don't drift onto the reef/bar. If you're gonna be north of bar, then you should be OK. You also may want to try in front of Campbell's if water conditions are good and even freeline live shrimp on outside of RR bridge-use ICW -do not try boating under RR bridge-lots of cement debris under those arches!! Good luck and post your reports.

[mlam]

Sorry about my knowledge of west bay but is the old ICW north of the Confederates reef running between North and South Deer Island?

[WestEndAngler]

Sorry, yes between N & S deer island close to the new ICW there is a large wooden piling that marks the center of the channel... if you travel West far enough you'll be running just on the North side of Confederates Reef... I anchor in 6' and slack off so my stern is right at 4' You want to fish this drop off or at least have your cork & shrimp float through it still twitching & popping. You'll be protected from a S wind at low tide and fish could be stacked up there... Ease into unfamiliar areas and get yourself a Post Ike edition Wade fish or kayak map, IMO the boating map is worthless... I find more detail on the wade and kayak maps.

[WestEndAngler]

Sorry about my knowledge of west bay but is the old ICW north of the Confederates reef running between North and South Deer Island?

No worries buddy - we were all beginners at one time or another... That's why we have a forum like this to discuss and point out areas etc. If you search the threads using the search button you might even run across the maps I uploaded after Ike... I can't find them on my computer but it shows you confederates etc.