Key Largo Wreck Fishing - Big Fish Action
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Target grouper, snapper, amberjack, and kingfish on Florida wrecksDrift fishing from 200 feet with bottom rods and flat linesAccommodates up to 6 guests with tailored trip experiences
Captain Charles and the crew at Salty Fresh Fishing Charters know exactly where the big ones hide around Key Largo's legendary wreck sites. When you're ready to feel that rod bend with a monster grouper or screaming amberjack from 200 feet down, this is your trip. We're talking about serious bottom fishing over some of Florida's most productive artificial reefs and natural wrecks, where the fish stack up thick and the action stays hot all day long.
This top-rated wreck fishing adventure takes you straight to the honey holes where Captain Charles has been putting clients on trophy fish for years. You'll be drifting over structure with bottom rigs while running flat lines for the speed demons like kingfish and wahoo. The beauty of wreck fishing in Key Largo is the variety - one minute you're cranking up a hefty red grouper from the depths, the next you're fighting a bull amberjack that's trying to wrap you around the wreck. With space for up to 6 anglers, this trip works perfect for families or small groups who want personalized attention. Captain Charles tailors every outing to what you want to catch, whether you're after dinner or bragging rights. The boat is set up with quality tackle and all the gear you need, so just bring your appetite for action and maybe some snacks since meals aren't provided.
Wreck fishing is all about reading the structure and letting the current do the work. Captain Charles positions the boat up-current from the wrecks and artificial reefs, then you drift over the structure with heavy bottom rigs loaded with cut bait or live offerings. The key is getting your bait down fast through the water column before the current pushes you off the sweet spot. We're running circle hooks on heavy fluorocarbon leaders because these fish don't mess around - grouper will try to cut you off on the wreck, and amberjack will test every knot you've got. While the bottom rods are working, we keep flat lines out for the pelagics cruising the area. Kingfish and wahoo patrol these wrecks looking for easy meals, and when they find your bait, you'll know it instantly. The tackle setup varies based on what we're targeting, but expect heavy conventional reels with serious drag systems. This isn't light tackle fishing - we're pulling fish up from serious depth over gnarly structure.
King mackerel are the speed merchants of the wreck scene, and Key Largo's artificial reefs hold some real bruisers. These fish average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ when conditions are right. Kings are most active during the cooler months from October through March, though you'll find them around the wrecks year-round. They hit fast and run hard, making long screaming runs that'll have your drag singing. What makes king fishing so addictive is their unpredictability - they might slam a slow-trolled live bait or crush a bait sitting 100 feet down.
Greater amberjack are the bulldogs of the wreck world, and these fish will absolutely test your mettle. Running anywhere from 20 pounds to well over 60, amberjack use their broad sides and powerful tails to make bone-jarring runs straight back toward the structure. Spring and early summer bring the biggest fish, but you'll find quality AJs around Key Largo's wrecks most of the year. These fish are pure muscle, and landing a big one from 200 feet of water is a workout you won't forget. They're curious fish that often travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more waiting.
Wahoo are the rockets of the reef, capable of hits so violent they'll nearly rip the rod from your hands. These fish don't get huge around the wrecks - most run 15-40 pounds - but what they lack in size they make up for in pure speed and aggression. Winter months are prime time for wahoo action, especially when the water temperature drops and baitfish concentrate around the structure. Their razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast runs make every hookup a heart-stopper.
Black grouper are the prize everyone's after, and Key Largo's wrecks hold some legitimate giants. These bottom dwellers can exceed 50 pounds and are masters at using structure to their advantage. The moment you hook one, they'll head straight for the closest hole or overhang, so you've got to turn them fast. Grouper fishing is best during the cooler months when they're most active, but resident fish are around year-round. There's something special about feeling that thump-thump bite on the bottom, then watching a monster grouper come up from the depths.
African pompano are the wildcard species that can show up any time around the wrecks, and when they do, you're in for a treat. These silver bullets combine speed with jumping ability, often clearing the water multiple times during the fight. They're not as common as the other species, but when conditions are right, pompano will school up around the wrecks in impressive numbers. Most fish run 10-25 pounds, but larger specimens patrol the deeper structures and fight way above their weight class.
Captain Charles and Salty Fresh Fishing Charters have dialed in the wreck fishing game around Key Largo, and this customer favorite trip delivers consistent action for novice anglers and seasoned pros alike. Whether you're looking to introduce the family to serious saltwater fishing or you want to tangle with some of South Florida's best reef fish, this world-class wreck fishing experience puts you on the fish. The combination of bottom fishing and trolling keeps the action varied, and there's always the chance for that fish of a lifetime lurking around the next wreck. Don't wait - the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when the bite is red hot
Get ready to hit the deep waters off Key Largo aboard our 2014 Shearwater performance fishing boat! This beauty packs 350HP of Yamaha power, cruising at 45 knots to get you out to those productive wreck sites fast. Captain Charles knows exactly where the big grouper, snapper, and amberjack are holding, plus we'll run flat lines for kingfish and wahoo on the way out. The boat's equipped with everything you need - GPS and radar to find those underwater structures, fish finder to mark the targets below, and VHF radio for safety. We've got an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during the action. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work those bottom rods as we drift over the wrecks. Whether you're new to fishing or bringing the family, there's nothing like feeling a big fish grab your bait 200 feet down and fighting it all the way to the boat. Captain Charles will put you on the fish and customize the trip based on what you want to target. These Florida wrecks are fish magnets - perfect structure that holds everything from African pompano to monster grouper!
Alectis CiliarisAfrican pompano are the sleek silver ghosts of our wrecks, part of the jack family but with their own unique style. Adults typically run 10-25 pounds and patrol structure in 30-250 feet. They're attracted to shiny, moving objects, making jigs and flashy lures deadly effective alongside live bait. Spring through fall gives you the best shots at these fish when they're most active around our wrecks. What anglers love is their strong, acrobatic fight and the fact that they're excellent table fare. The juveniles look completely different - diamond-shaped with long trailing filaments - but the adults are classic silver torpedoes. Best strategy is working jigs near the bottom around structure, but stay ready for that sudden strike. They hit hard and fast, then put up a solid scrap all the way to the boat.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of our wreck fishing, averaging 15-30 pounds but capable of reaching 100+ pounds. They hug the bottom around structure in 30-300 feet, moving shallower in winter and deeper during summer. These ambush predators are available year-round, but cooler months often produce the best action. What makes them a favorite is the initial shock of the hookup - they'll slam your bait and immediately try to get back to their hole in the wreck. The fight is pure power, not speed. The meat's outstanding - mild, firm, and versatile. They're not picky eaters, taking live or dead bait readily. Critical tip: once you feel that bite, start cranking immediately. Don't give them time to think or they'll bury you in the wreck and snap your line every time.
Seriola dumeriliThese bruiser jacks are the true workhorses of our wreck fishing, typically running 20-40 pounds with the occasional 50+ pounder. They live right on the structure - think wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom in 100-300 feet. Amberjacks are year-round residents, but spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active. What guests love is the raw power - they'll test your drag and shoulders with that classic jack fight, diving straight down toward the wreck. The meat's excellent, white and flaky when cooked right. These fish aren't picky eaters - live bait, jigs, and cut bait all work. My advice: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the wreck, or you'll be retying your rig.
Scomberomorus CavallaKingfish are some of the fastest swimmers you'll encounter out here, averaging around 30 pounds but occasionally hitting 90+. These silver rockets with dark stripes patrol our wrecks in 40-150 feet, especially during warmer months when water temps hit that sweet 68-84°F range. They're aggressive feeders that'll slam live bait, spoons, or jigs without hesitation. What makes them popular is that lightning-fast initial run - they'll peel line like crazy before settling into a strong, steady fight. The meat's decent eating too, though watch the mercury if you're pregnant. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig two hooks on live bait - kings love to bite the tail end of baitfish, so that trailing treble hook will save you from a lot of missed strikes.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our trips, capable of hitting 60 mph and averaging 3-5 feet long. They cruise the open water around our offshore wrecks, usually in the top 60 feet. Best fishing happens July through November when they're most abundant in our waters. What makes them special is that blistering first run - nothing screams line off a reel like a hooked wahoo. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat with a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect for the grill. These fish have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are mandatory. The key is trolling fast, around 12-15 knots with diving plugs or rigged ballyhoo. When one hits, hold on tight - it's going to be a wild ride.
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