The Rod & Reel Pier restaurant on Anna Maria Island was swallowed by the Gulf of Mexico in the whipping winds of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall Wednesday night in Siesta Key. The restaurant has been around since 1947 and has been a staple in the community for generations. As news spread about the restaurant disappearing into the vast Gulf waters, patrons took to social media to express their sadness. “Anna Maria Island and the Rod & Reel Pier were a special place for me since my first visit there at the age of 12, and it has seen my 2 kids grow over the years,” Facebook user Eike Freese posted on Friday. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/weather/hurricane/hurricane-milton/rod-reel-pier-anna-maria-island/67-618ede25-c708-4698-8e75-e9866aa38256