[Patrick]

John, you won't be able to park anywhere near the beach unfortunately. All of the beaches are closed at night and a chain is strung across the gates. During the day, you need a permit to park. See, if you take Federal money for your beaches, you need to admit everyone who wants to go to the beach. And my town, oh so smart, will let everyone and anyone enter on foot or bike. But, you need a permit to park your car. That's how they get you. And the town has marked anywhere in the vicinity of the beach a No Parking Zone. There are a few places you can park.
If you go to the South Benson Marina, go in the marina and make your first left. That is the visitor center. Then you must walk to the beach, and follow the shoreline down to the reef. It's a decent walk because of the sand.
Another place to park is by Bud's Delicatessan on Reef Road or right by "The Sea Grape" bar also on Reef road. And Veteran's Park also on Reef Road. The Sea Grape is closer but I heard that sometimes you can go back to find your car towed away.

Try to hit the reef on the rising tide. Walk past the little jetty. If you walk out about 500 feet, cast to your right. There is a sand bar that juts out called "Shark Bar", there is a gap in between Shark Bar the the reef. That's where I got that 36-40 inch bass. After that, it's anyones guess. One word of caution, avoid high tide. Not because it gets really deep, it's the current thats going to knock you off the drop off. It seems like for every step you take forward, you need to take two or three up against the current.

Also, theres another jetty about 150 yards down from the reef. It is maybe 5 or 6 feet deep at the tip. I don't fish that one often.
I'll drop you an email and see if I can make it down there. You will know me. I have a big red star on my hat.