Beneath the offshore waters around the many islands of Key West lie numerous old shipwrecks and thousands of natural reefs, year-round home to the strongest fighters, pound for pound in salt water.
Miles of natural reef and isolated “patch reefs” of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico hold huge populations of Yellowtail, Grey, and Mutton Snappers along with Black, Red and Gag Grouper patrolling the bottom and ruling the structure with an aggressive attitude. Higher in the water column are Barracuda, Amberjacks, Sharks, Cobia, Spanish and Cero Mackerel and always lots of Sharks…
We fish these reefs by either setting up a huge chum slick and balling up the Yellowtail Snapper on the top and attracting the Mutton Snapper and Grouper near the bottom… Another way is to simple slow drift over a large section of reef, keeping your bait just off the bottom, both are seriously productive. As the bite progresses, the predators start moving in and you have a whole bunch of action behind the boat!!
We fish the shipwrecks almost the same way, chumming and drifting… On the deep wrecks we target Amberjack, Almaco Jack, Barracuda, Bonita, Cobia, Blackfin Tuna and on the bottom larger Mutton Snapper and both Black and Gag Grouper… On the shallower wrecks we target marauding Cobia, Permit, and Barracuda, until the always present and awe-inspiring sharks arrive.
The Gulf of Mexico waters not surprisingly are an entirely different fishery from the Atlantic. The numerous Gulf wreck sites lie from 15 to 35 miles offshore and only the most experienced professional guides know many. These wrecks or sunken ships range from small wooden sailing vessels of a by-gone era to commercial boats to massive WW II war ships!
Traveling due west from the Key West harbor, you encounter countless seldom-fished smaller “patch-reefs” near fabled areas such as the Marquesas Keys, Rebecca Shoal and New Ground, until you ultimately reach the legendary Dry Tortugas 70 miles out which is the last of the Florida Keys…end of the road!.
Again, the population of the Snapper family and Grouper family, Cobia, Barracuda and Shark is seemingly endless along with the constant coming and going of several pelagic species. However, during a short and magical time each year, one of the most prized and elusive sport fish anywhere in tropical waters, migrate away from the shallow haunts and near-shore to these distant locations to spawn typically during April, May and June. The Permit, the fish of dreams for many anglers, congregates in unimaginably, massive schools with fish ranging in weight from 12 pounds to 40 pounds plus! The Permit is one of those very special species of fish that become an obsession for many anglers. A 1000 pound Blue Marlin to the offshore angler is the 40 pound Permit to the light tackle angler. These very isolated fishing grounds holding Permit, when discovered are akin to “striking the mother load”. A large Permit is on every serious anglers “bucket list”.
Reef and Wreck fishing in general is celebrated for fast paced and constant action for every angler from novice to seasoned “old salts”. With simple and easily mastered fishing equipment and techniques, this is ideal fishing for groups, family outings and the hard-core fishermen as well. Most species on the reef and wrecks are easily hooked but provide an exceptional challenge to land. Best of all attributes for reef & wreck fishing is that nearly every species found there is wonderful as table fare…
If you have but one day to fish, this is your “can’t miss trip” with Key West Pro Guides
LIGHT TACKLE GUIDES – 29-34Ft. Center Console (Yellowfin, Conch, Contender, Andros)
Ultimate Action Trips – Wreck, Reef & Offshore
Light Tackle Boat – 1 to 4 guests
1/2 Day $1000 (4 hours)
5/8 Day $1100 (5 hours)
3/4 Day $1300 (6 hours)
Full Day $1500 (8 hours)
Mutton Spawn Trip $1200 (5 hours) – (3-8pm) – April, May & June
Fuel Included on ALL Charters
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