South Shore hot spot Hempsted Reef

Located approximately 3.5 miles south to southeast of Jones Inlet, the Hempstead artificial reef was originally started during the mid 1960’s by the legendary Capt. Al Lindroth of the Point Lookout based party boat, The Captain Al. With the help and cooperation of several friends and politicians, Captain Al arranged for a half dozen surplus barges to be towed offshore and sunk on the reef site.

Over the years more material was added, including a load of concrete from a demolished bridge, a navy barge, some old dry dock material, a commercial fishing boat and even an old Fire Island Ferry. In addition, a bunch of cleaned-up old army tanks were sunk here.

The result is an artificial reef that is 744 acres of mass structure in 50 to 75 of water that attracts sea life like a magnet. Not surprising, it attracts anglers too. In fact, hardly a day goes by that several boats are not fishing this reef...[Link]