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Sport Fishing Florida Keys Is Best
When Reef And Wreck Fishing

Reef and wreck fishing is one of the most popular forms of sport fishing Florida Keys has.

These warm, aquamarine waters are home to beautiful coral reefs and thousands of Florida Keys wrecks, some of which are centuries old.

Many of these wrecks lie within the protected waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

However, there are numerous others that lie outside this zone. These have become a haven for fish and a magnet for Florida Keys sport fishing enthusiasts.

On any given day, scattered throughout these waters, you'll find boats hovering over various wrecks. Their ultimate goal is to search out and reel in the mighty fighting Florida Keys fish, who are hiding out in the structures below.

Sharks Like Reef and Wrecks


Reefs and Wrecks Are Hot Spots For Florida Keys Shark Fishing
Florida Keys Public Libraries, Don DeMaria Collection, Flickr


There are two facts particularly interesting about the Florida Keys reefs and wrecks.

First, the Florida Keys has the only living coral reef system in the continental United States. It's the third largest in the world and it runs 221 miles from Key Largo FL to the Dry Tortugas National Park.

The Florida Keys coral reef is positioned anywhere from about 1 mile off the east coast to 8 miles or more from shore.

The second fact is that there are absolutely thousands of Florida Keys wrecks littering the arae.

These two facts are not coincidental or independent of each other. They're very entwined, and it's their union that has made for some rather interesting, as well as unfortunate shipwreck history.

The commonality of reefs and wrecks is that both are substructures which create safe haven for Florida fish. Small juvenile fish treat the closer in shore patch reefs and wrecks as their nurseries.

Further out, the deeper Florida reefs and wrecks are feeding areas for larger fish searching smaller fish as prey.

The holes and pockets that Florida Keys coral reefs and wrecks have, create the perfect hiding spots for fish to ambush their prey. These pockets also create cover where fish can hide from predators on the prowl. They also form the perfect reef and wreck fishing spots, avid sport fishermen seek out.

Even though there are so many different reefs and wrecks to fish over, you have to know where to go. You also need to know what to do when you get there, and of course having the right fishing gear is critical.

Even avid saltwater fishermen fishing Florida Keys for the first few times are at somewhat of a loss as to where to go. It can take years of fishing experience to learn all the hot spots, what fish are in season, and how to get them to bite.

For this reason, most people on a Florida Keys fishing vacation opt to go out at least the first time or two with a seasoned professional. Not only do have the benefit of being able to have a more successful fishing trip, you can pick up indispensable knowledge from the charter boat Captain and his crew.

Below you'll find a sampling of some of the more qualified Florida Keys fishing charters available through FishingBooker. They're arranged from Key Largo down to Key West. This will give you a good idea of what they can do for you and what they charge so you can book your Florida Keys fishing vacation.

FishingBooker makes choosing a charter incredibly easy as they have a vast variety of search criteria so you can drill down to exactly what you want.

For this reason I've chosen to work with them as an affiliate. Also, so you're fully aware, as an affiliate of FishingBooker, if you click a link to a charter, book it and go on it, I stand to earn a small commission. The charter does not cost you any more booking here or direct as this is what being an "affiliate" means.

Below you'll find in large print a link to reef and wreck charters that will give you the information on all the fishing charters in the Florida Keys. I've also included a quick preview below.

Following Is A Sample Of Reef And Wreck Fishing Charters


Reel Deal Charter Fishing
Captain Eric Reynolds
31' Contender Center console, 2 250 hp Twin Yamaha 250hp 4 stroke engines, 6 person capacity
31' Contender Center console, 2 250 hp Twin Yamaha 250hp 4 stroke engines, 6 person capacity
Key Largo Departure
Payment 20% deposit to guarantee reservation, balance day of trip via Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Numerous species of most popular offshore fishing targeted, Bahama trips, overnight trips, child friendly, deposit non-refundable, pickup agreed upon reservation
Fishing Trip Destinations
Reef Fishing     Wreck Fishing     Offshore Fishing
Bahamas Fishing Trips     Overnight/Multiple Night Trips
Fishing Techniques
Light Tackle     Heavy Tackle     Bottom Fishing     Jigging
Popping     Kite Fishing     Spearfishing     Lobster Fishing
Fishing Trip Description
Reel Deal Charter Fishing with a maximum cruising speed of 48 knots is able to get you out fishing fast. Not only is the boat equipped with a variety of amenities and top of the line fishing equipment, Captain Ryan knows how to up the ante and add that extra punch of fun into your fishing experience. Specializing in using light tackle to take on the biggest fighting fish, your adrenalin will be pumping as you do battle with marlin, sailfish, mahi mahi, king mackerel and other pelagic species. If you're interested in a customized fishing trip, an extended fishing vacation, or you want to experience fishing Florida Keys various regions, this top notch Key Largo charter fishing company has what it takes to make your Florida Keys vacation productive and fun.






Commonly Found Florida Fish and
Best Florida Keys Fishing Techniques

Patch reefs are closest to shore and are usually in water with a depth of 15 - 30 feet. In these shallower waters you'll also find an assortment of often older Florida shipwrecks.

Living and hiding in these substructures are different types of snapper, including yellowtail, mangrove and mutton. You can also find smaller grouper, cobia, cero and spanish mackerel, permit, grunt, and barracuda.

The mid reefs are further out and sit in about 80 - 130 feet of water. When reef and wreck fishing here, you'll find a number of Florida wrecks either purposely sunk as artificial reefs, or unintentionally sunk due to navigational errors and storms.

This is where you'll hook the larger billfish such as sailfish plus other pelagic species such as wahoo, kingfish, and dolphin aka mahi mahi or dorado.

These are considered pelagic fish because they live in the open ocean, closer to the surface and they're migratory.

They can be caught or enticed to the surface by trolling with live bait on kite and flat lines or chumming. If they're not hooked when they come racing to the surface you can strap yourself in, throw out a line with live bait fish or flies, and prepare for the battle of a lifetime.

Florida Keys Dolphin Fishing


Florida Keys Dolphin Fishing
Florida Keys Public Libraries, Don DeMaria Collection, Flickr


Further from shore where you'll be Florida Keys deep sea fishing, you'll fish the ledges, deep reefs and humps such as the Marathon Hump and Islamorada Hump.

The water depth can be 500 - 800+ feet, or even more when you're this far out. If you're planning on deep fishing, you'll attract swordfish. You'll also attract the massive bottom dwellers who live in the sheltered dark recesses and ambush the smaller fish who school in the area.

At these depths, you'll find mutton snapper, greater amberjack, large Florida Keys grouper such as goliath, warsaw and black grouper.

When fishing for these brutes, your options include fishing deep with live or dead bait, or jigging.

You can also deep drop fish which is where you would use heavy duty electronic equipment that's usually rigged with strobe lights that attract the Florida Keys fish living in the dark substructures and recesses.

Goliath Grouper also called Jewfish lurking deep below


Goliath Grouper aka Jewfish Lurking In A Deep Recess
Florida Keys Public Libraries, Don DeMaria Collection, Flickr


The exciting part of Florida reef and wreck fishing is your selection - both in the method you use, and the type of saltwater fish you're after. You can fish shallower and free line which is letting the line drift in the current. You can also troll or hover over a structure and site fish.

Something else you can do, is rig up so that you're fishing three different depths at one time, staggering your line lengths and the bait fish or lures you have on. When reef and wreck fishing, this method will guarantee maximum success and shift the thrill factor into overdrive.

One of the more popular types of Florida Keys fishing is night fishing. If you decide to do this, you'll encounter a reef favorite that's plentiful in supply. Yellowtail are a tasty addition to any dinner table, and they put up a good fight before you can get them there.

Grouper, shark, mutton snapper and swordfish are other common night feeders you can add to your nocturnal roster.

Florida Keys reef and wreck fishing will present you with the ultimate of sportfishing challenges. It's here that you'll test your skill and mettle against the mighty warriors of the deep. So strap yourself in, and prepare for one heck of a thrilling ride sport fishing Florida Keys.






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Local Weather Zip Codes

Key Largo - 33037
Marathon - 33050
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