Wreck Fishing
The Florida Keys are home to over 1,000 historic shipwrecks, many of which now serve as thriving artificial reefs teeming with marine life. These wrecks attract divers and anglers from all over the world, drawn to the vibrant underwater ecosystems and world-class fishing opportunities.
Wreck fishing is action-packed and highly technical, often involving live chumming, live and dead bait, artificial lures, drifting, or anchoring depending on conditions and target species. It’s an exciting experience for anglers of all levels.
At Florida Keys Fishing Company, we specialize in wreck and reef fishing aboard our fully equipped charters, Catchalottafish and All Lit Up. Our experienced captains have decades on these waters and know exactly how to put you on the fish.
Wreck Fishes in Islamorada
Some of the most popular wrecks include the Eagle off Islamorada, the Thunderbolt near Marathon, the Spiegel Grove in Key Largo, and the Vandenberg off Key West. These wrecks provide exceptional structure for a wide variety of game fish such as Snapper (Yellowtail, Mutton, and Red), multiple Grouper species, Permit, Amberjack, Barracuda, Wahoo, Kingfish, and even the occasional Mahi, Tuna, or Sailfish.
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Kingfish
King Mackerel measure around 19-35 inches in length. They have been caught over 70 inches and nearly 100 pounds. The Florida record is 90 pounds. They are a highly sought-after game fish in the Florida Keys.
The color of their back is an iridescent bluish green; sides silvery, streamlined body with tapered head; no black pigment on front of dorsal fin; lateral line starts high and drops sharply below the second dorsal fin; young fish often have yellow spots like those of the Spanish mackerel. Similar Fish: cero, S. regalis; Spanish mackerel, S. maculatus.
Where can you find them?
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NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, occasionally taken from piers running into deep water.
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Size: common to 20 pounds.
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Florida Record: 90 lbs.
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Blackfish Tuna
The Blackfin Tuna grows to a maximum of around 45 pounds and 3 1/2 feet long. Blackfin are often found with Skipjack Tuna over reefs, around wrecks, and in the Gulf of Mexico as well as offshore.
Scientific Name: Thunnus atlanticus; Other Names: blackfin
Where can you find them?
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Ideal Temp: 65 to 75
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World Record: 49 lbs. 8 ounces, Marathon, Florida Keys.
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Environment: offshore
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Techniques: medium tackle, trolling, live baiting
