Reef And Wreck Fishing Charters On Riviera Beach
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Target reef and wreck structures near West Palm Beach watersFamilyfriendly trips accommodate up to 5 guests comfortablyFlexible booking with 24hour advance cancellation policy available
When you fish the productive waters off Riviera Beach, you're tapping into some of the most consistent action along Florida's east coast. Just minutes from West Palm Beach, these nearshore reefs and artificial wrecks create perfect structure for a wide variety of game fish. Captain Buford knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're bringing the kids for their first offshore adventure or you're a seasoned angler looking to add some quality catches to your cooler. The boat holds up to 5 passengers, keeping things comfortable and personal while giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines.
Your day starts at the Riviera Beach Marina, where you'll meet Captain Buford and get the rundown on the day's game plan. These trips focus on the productive reef systems and artificial wrecks that dot the ocean floor just offshore. The beauty of fishing these structures is the variety—you never know what's going to hit your bait. One minute you might be battling a hard-fighting cobia, the next you could be landing a beautiful mutton snapper for the dinner table. The nearshore location means shorter runs to the fishing grounds, so you spend more time with your line in the water and less time burning fuel. Captain Buford keeps things relaxed but productive, making sure everyone gets a chance to hook up while sharing tips and local knowledge that only comes from years of fishing these waters.
Reef and wreck fishing requires a different approach than open-water trolling or shallow-water sight casting. You'll be working vertical presentations, dropping baits and jigs down to the structure where the fish hold. Captain Buford provides all the tackle you need, from heavy-duty spinning reels capable of handling big fish to the lighter gear perfect for snapper and smaller species. Live bait is king out here—pilchards, ballyhoo, and shrimp all produce fish on these reefs. You'll also work some artificials, especially jigs and spoons that can be dropped quickly to the bottom and worked back up through the water column. The key is getting your bait to the fish quickly before the current pushes you off the structure. GPS and fishfinder technology help the captain position the boat perfectly over productive spots, but reading the water and understanding how fish relate to structure is where his experience really shows.
Mahi mahi, or common dolphinfish as they're officially known, are absolute crowd-pleasers when they show up around the wrecks. These fish are pure energy from the moment they hit your bait until they're in the boat. Mahi typically range from 5 to 20 pounds in these waters, with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 30 pounds or more. They're most active during the warmer months, roughly April through October, when they follow the weed lines and baitfish close to shore. What makes mahi so exciting is their aerial acrobatics—they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. Plus, they're phenomenal on the table with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or making fish tacos.
Cobia are the bruisers of the reef system, and when you hook one, you know it immediately. These brown sharks, as some folks call them, can reach 40 pounds or more and will test your tackle to its limits. Cobia are curious fish that often come up to investigate the boat, giving you a chance to sight-cast to them with live bait or heavy jigs. They're most common from late spring through early fall, and they have a habit of following rays and sharks along the bottom. Landing a cobia is a real accomplishment—they're strong, stubborn fighters that don't give up easily. The meat is excellent eating, similar to shark but without the ammonia taste, making them a prized catch for both the fight and the table.
Mutton snapper are the bread and butter of reef fishing, and these waters hold some beautiful fish. You'll find muttons ranging from 2 to 8 pounds typically, with the occasional doormat pushing double digits. They're year-round residents but bite best during the cooler months when they school up in larger numbers. Mutton snappers are smart, structure-oriented fish that require finesse and the right bait presentation. They're notorious bait stealers, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook at the first sign of a bite. These fish are pure gold on the dinner plate—sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for any preparation you can think of.
Goliath grouper encounters are something you'll never forget, even though these massive fish must be released immediately. These giants can weigh several hundred pounds and call the deeper wrecks home. When you hook a goliath, the fight is more about keeping them off the bottom than any kind of aerial display. They're like hooking into a submarine—pure dead weight that will test your back muscles as much as your tackle. The thrill comes from the sheer size and power of these prehistoric-looking fish. Captain Buford knows which wrecks hold goliaths and can put you on them when conditions are right, but be prepared for a workout if you hook up.
Blackfin tuna add speed and endurance to your fishing day, typically showing up in schools around the reefs and wrecks. These fish usually run 5 to 15 pounds and are built for speed, making blistering runs that will have your reel screaming. They're most common during the cooler months, roughly November through March, when they move inshore following bait schools. Blackfins are excellent light-tackle fish that fight way above their weight class. They respond well to small jigs, spoons, and live bait, but you need to work fast when you find a school because they can disappear as quickly as they arrived. The meat is rich and red, perfect for searing or making
Our 35-foot center console motorboat is built for serious fishing in the productive waters off Riviera Beach. With room for up to 5 anglers, this well-equipped vessel comes loaded with everything you need to find and catch fish around the local reefs and wrecks. The GPS keeps us on target, while the fish finder helps locate schools holding near structure. When visibility drops or weather moves in, our radar keeps things safe. The VHF radio maintains contact with other boats and shore. Your experienced first mate handles the gear and helps you land whatever's biting - whether it's snapper around the reefs or bigger game fish cruising the wrecks. The spacious layout gives everyone room to fish comfortably, and families with kids will appreciate the stable platform. These nearshore waters consistently produce quality fish for the cooler, making it perfect for both newcomers and experienced anglers looking to bring home a fresh catch from West Palm's most productive fishing grounds.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family but don't let size fool you - these 10-30 pound speedsters are pure dynamite on light tackle. They school up around our nearshore waters from fall through spring when water temps hit 68°F or warmer. What makes blackfins special is their willingness to bite and incredible table quality - the meat is dark red and perfect for sashimi or searing. They're sight feeders that respond well to live pilchards or small jigs. The key to success is scaling down your tackle - use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks because these fish have sharp eyes. When you find a school, work it hard with vertical jigs or live bait because they'll often feed aggressively in groups.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of our most underrated fighters - these brown, shark-looking fish average 30-60 pounds but can push over 100. They're loners that cruise around wrecks, buoys, and reef edges in 30-100 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is prime time when they move through our area heading north. What makes cobia special is their curious nature and bulldogging fight - they'll come right up to the boat to check out your bait, then take off like a freight train once hooked. The meat is white, firm, and rivals grouper for table quality. My go-to technique is sight fishing with bucktail jigs in 4-8 ounce weights. When you see one, drop that jig right in front of its nose and get ready.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our reefs - these monsters can hit 200-400 pounds and live around wrecks and ledges in 20-100 feet. Remember, these fish are protected so it's strictly catch-and-release, but what a catch it is. Summer months bring the best action when they're most active around structure. The thrill is in the fight - that first pull will test your back and your tackle like nothing else. They'll try to get back to their hole, so heavy gear is a must. The experience of battling one of these prehistoric-looking fish is unforgettable. Pro tip: anchor close enough to get their attention but far enough to pull them away from the structure. Use big baits like whole jacks or large crabs, and be ready for the fight of your life.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most beautiful fish you'll see out here, with brilliant gold sides and electric blues that put on a color show when they come to the boat. They typically run 15-29 pounds, though we see some real bulls pushing 40+. These surface feeders love hanging around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks near our reefs. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit 70°F and above. Guests love mahi because they fight hard, jump like crazy, and make outstanding table fare with firm, sweet meat. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, don't boat it right away - keep it in the water and work the area because mahi travel in schools and you'll often double or triple up.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are the prizefighters of the snapper family, averaging 3-8 pounds with occasional fish hitting 15+ pounds. These pinkish, olive-colored fish with distinctive blue facial markings hang around our nearshore reefs and sandy areas in 30-80 feet. They're most active during cooler months from October through March when they school up. What draws anglers to muttons is their scrappy fight and excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're smart fish that require fresh bait and light tackle. Here's the secret: use a knocker rig with minimal weight and let your bait drift naturally in the current. When you see that pink flash coming up through the clear water, you know you've got a keeper.
Riviera Beach