Port Canaveral Wreck & Reef Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Grouper, Snapper, and Amberjack on productive offshore wrecks.Professional captains provide expert guidance for all skill levels.Small group experience with maximum 3 guests per charter.
Get ready for some serious fishing action off one of Florida's most productive coastlines. Fish Junkies Fishing Charters takes you to the hottest wrecks and reefs around Port Canaveral, where the bottom structure holds some of the best eating fish in the Atlantic. With experienced captains who've been working these waters for years, you'll hit the spots where the big boys hang out – and trust me, they know exactly when and where to drop your line. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with dinner or just want to feel that rod bend with a monster on the other end, this trip delivers the goods every single time.
Your day starts early at Port Canaveral, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on what's been biting lately. The boat's equipped with everything you need – quality rods, reels, tackle, and all the local knowledge that separates a good day from a legendary one. We're talking 6 to 8 hours of serious fishing time, hitting multiple spots depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. The wrecks and artificial reefs off this coast are like underwater apartment buildings – packed with Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, and Cobia just waiting for the right presentation. Your captain will position the boat perfectly over structure, help you get your bait down to the right depth, and coach you through the fight when something big grabs hold. With only 3 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your rod without bumping into someone else.
This is classic bottom fishing at its finest – we're talking heavy tackle, live bait, and dead drops right onto the structure where these fish live. Your captain uses top-notch electronics to mark fish and position the boat perfectly over wrecks and natural reefs. The technique is straightforward but effective: drop your bait to the bottom, keep tight contact with your sinker, and be ready for that telltale thump when a fish picks up your offering. We use circle hooks for better hooksets and fish survival, plus heavy enough tackle to turn big fish away from the structure before they can break you off. The key is getting your bait presentation right – sometimes they want it right on the bottom, other times suspended just above the wreck. Your captain reads the conditions and adjusts tactics throughout the day, switching between live bait and cut bait depending on what's working. When you hook into a big Grouper or Amberjack, it's all about keeping steady pressure and letting your drag do the work.
Pacific Bonito might seem like an odd target off Florida's coast, but when these speedsters show up, they provide fast-paced action that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. These fish hit hard and fast, making blistering runs that will test your drag system. They typically show up in cooler months and school up around bait, creating feeding frenzies that are pure fishing gold. Most run 3 to 8 pounds, perfect for lighter tackle and a great way to get beginners comfortable with the fight.
Lane Snapper are the bread and butter of reef fishing around Port Canaveral. These colorful little fighters are abundant year-round, with the best action happening during warmer months when they're most active. They average 1 to 3 pounds but don't let their size fool you – they fight hard for their weight and make excellent table fare. Lane Snapper are perfect for keeping kids and new anglers engaged since they bite readily and provide steady action between the bigger fish.
Gag Grouper are the prize everyone's after – thick, powerful fish that can weigh anywhere from 5 to 20+ pounds around these reefs. These bottom dwellers are ambush predators that hang tight to structure, so when you hook one, expect an immediate dive back toward the wreck. The best Gag fishing happens during cooler months when they're more active and feeding heavily. They're phenomenal eating and provide the kind of rod-bending fight that keeps anglers coming back for more.
King Mackerel patrol the edges of these reefs, especially during spring and fall migrations. These toothy speedsters can reach 20 to 40+ pounds and are known for their blazing fast runs and aerial displays. When a King hits your bait, you'll know it immediately – they typically make a long, screaming run that can peel off 100+ yards of line in seconds. Wire leaders are essential since their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat.
Grey Triggerfish have become increasingly popular targets around Port Canaveral's reefs. These disc-shaped fighters have serious attitude and surprising strength for their size. They're most active during summer months and provide excellent sport on lighter tackle. Triggers are notorious for their hard initial run followed by a bulldogging fight that tests your patience. They're also outstanding table fare when prepared properly, with firm, white meat that rivals any reef fish.
Atlantic Bonito round out the target list with their classic tuna-like appearance and fighting ability. Similar to their Pacific cousins, these fish school up and create feeding opportunities that can turn a good day into a great one. They're typically caught as a bonus fish while targeting other species, but when they show up in numbers, smart captains will switch tactics to capitalize on the action. Their strong runs and determined fights make them a favorite among experienced anglers.
Port Canaveral's reef fishing scene is world-class, and Fish Junkies Fishing Charters puts you right in the heart of the action. With experienced captains, top-notch equipment, and access to the most productive fishing grounds on this coast, you're looking at a day that delivers both action and results. The intimate 3-angler maximum means you get personal attention and plenty
Step aboard our 21ft Dusky center console and get ready to target some serious fish in Port Canaveral's rich waters. This nimble boat handles both nearshore reefs and deeper offshore spots with ease, powered by a dependable Suzuki 175HP that'll get you to the hot fishing grounds quickly. Perfect for up to 3 anglers who want room to fight fish without bumping elbows. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of Grouper, Snapper, and Amberjack around the wrecks and structure that make this area so productive. GPS keeps us on the best spots while radar ensures safe navigation when weather moves in. The wireless trolling motor lets us position quietly over holding fish without spooking them. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in icebox, plus store drinks and snacks for the 6-8 hour adventure. Whether you're after dinner or just love the fight, this boat puts you right where the action happens with experienced captains who know these waters inside and out.
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are lightning-fast members of the tuna family, running 8-12 pounds with distinctive black stripes across their silver sides. These pelagic speedsters school up in huge numbers, often swimming with their dorsal fins cutting the surface like mini sharks. You'll find them in open water from nearshore out to the blue water, cruising at various depths as they chase baitfish. They're most active during their migration periods in spring and fall when water temps are in the 60s. While they're not great table fare here, they put on an amazing show with blazing runs that can hit 40 mph. The dead giveaway for finding them is diving birds - when bonito are feeding on the surface, seabirds go crazy. Once you locate a school, almost any fast-moving lure works, but I like small spoons or soft plastics trolled at high speed to match their aggressive feeding style.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the bread and butter of our offshore trips, averaging 20 inches but capable of reaching 50+ inches and 80 pounds. These mottled gray predators love our wrecks and reefs in 40-150 feet, where they ambush crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. They're structure-oriented fish that will try to drag you back into the rocks the second they feel the hook. Best fishing is typically late fall through early spring when water temps cool down. What makes them a favorite is the initial shock of the bite followed by a bulldogging fight, plus they're outstanding table fare. Here's the key: once you hook one, lock that drag and keep your rod low. Don't let them get their head down or they'll wrap you around the nearest piece of structure. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait, and be ready to horse them up fast.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are tough, leather-skinned fighters that average 12-17 inches around our hard-bottom reefs and ledges in 60-180 feet. These grayish fish with their pig-like snouts are notorious bait thieves with sharp teeth that can crunch through sea urchins and crabs. They're year-round residents but bite best in warmer months when they're more active. What makes them fun is their stubborn, bulldog fight - they'll use every trick to get back to their hole in the rocks. They're also surprisingly good eating with firm, white meat. Here's my trigger trick: they're greedy and competitive, so if you see other fish like snapper around your bait, drop it near them. Triggers will charge out to steal the bait from other fish. Use small chunks of squid on a heavy sinker, and when you feel that first nibble, reel as fast as you can - they'll spit the hook if given a chance.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed demons of our waters, typically running 15-30 pounds with some pushing 50+. These olive-backed torpedoes patrol depths from 40-150 feet, often around our offshore reefs and wrecks. They're migratory fish that show up when water temps hit the upper 60s through 80s, making spring through fall prime time. What gets anglers fired up is their blistering runs - they can hit 40 mph and will strip line faster than almost any fish out here. They're also excellent eating with firm, flaky meat, though they're high in mercury. My go-to setup is a two-hook rig on wire leader with the first hook in the bait's nose and a trailing treble hook, since kings love to bite the tail end of live bait. When trolling, vary your speed - sometimes slowing down triggers strikes when fast isn't working.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snappers are pretty little reef fish that run 10-14 inches and weigh 3-7 pounds, with pink bodies marked by yellow racing stripes. They hang around our coral reefs and rocky bottoms in 69-230 feet of water, often mixed in with other snapper species. These guys are aggressive feeders and less hook-shy than their bigger cousins, making them great for newer anglers. They bite best from March through September during spawning season, and they're active night feeders. What guests love is that they're scrappy fighters for their size and excellent eating - sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Here's the trick: they're notorious bait stealers, so when you feel those light taps, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a bit, then reel fast and steady to keep them from diving into the rocks.
Sarda LineolataPacific Bonito are sleek, tuna-shaped fighters that average 20-25 pounds but can push 40 inches. These dark blue and silver speedsters travel in active schools near the surface, constantly hunting for sardines and squid. You'll find them from inshore waters out to 100 miles offshore, especially around June through November when they're most cooperative. What makes them special is their relentless fight - they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag and endurance. While not the best table fare in the US, they're pure adrenaline on the rod. Pro tip: when you spot diving seabirds, get ready - bonito schools create surface commotion that attracts gulls. Use live anchovies on a sliding leader or bonito feathers with a cast-a-bubble to keep your bait near the surface where they feed.
Port Canaveral