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Aerial view of boats fishing over the crystal clear turquoise reef in the Florida Keys

Reef, Wreck & Bottom Fishing in the Florida Keys

Target grouper, snapper, yellowtail, hogfish, and more on the reefs and shipwrecks off Key Largo. Great for families and all experience levels.

Book a Reef Fishing Charter

The Best Bottom Fishing in the Florida Keys

The reefs and wrecks off Key Largo hold some of the best bottom fishing in the Florida Keys. Captain Mike runs reef and bottom fishing charters targeting grouper, snapper, yellowtail, hogfish, and other reef species using fresh live bait caught daily.

Key Largo sits at the northern tip of the Florida Keys reef tract — the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. The reef system combined with dozens of artificial reefs and historic shipwrecks creates habitat that holds fish year-round.

These trips are great for families, kids, and less experienced anglers — the action is steady and the technique is straightforward. You'll leave the dock with a full cooler.

Anglers at the dock with a full haul of reef fish from a Florida Keys bottom fishing charter

What You'll Catch

Target Species

Grouper

Year-Round

Black, red, and Nassau grouper found on wrecks and reef ledges. Powerful fish that dive hard for structure once hooked. One of the most prized catches in the Florida Keys — excellent eating and a hard fight.

Yellowtail Snapper

Year-Round

Abundant on the Key Largo reef tract. Yellowtail are excellent table fare and great fun on lighter tackle. One of the most consistently productive species for families and newer anglers.

Mutton Snapper

Spring – Summer

Larger and harder-fighting than yellowtail. Mutton snapper are found near the bottom along reef ledges and structure. One of the best-tasting fish in the Keys.

Hogfish

Year-Round

Prized for their sweet, delicate flavor — widely considered the best-eating fish on the reef. Hogfish are found around rocky bottom and reef structure and require some skill to target.

Cobia

Spring – Fall

Strong fighters often found near wrecks, channel markers, and buoys. Cobia are great on the table and provide a powerful, fast run when hooked.

Why Key Largo

The Key Largo Reef System

Key Largo is home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — the first undersea park in the United States — and part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The reef system stretches 4 miles wide and 6 miles offshore, creating a massive expanse of habitat for reef fish.

Beyond the natural reef, the Florida Keys are home to over 30 designated artificial reef sites, including purpose-sunk ships and military equipment. These structures attract massive schools of fish and have produced some of the biggest grouper and snapper caught in the Keys.

Captain Mike has spent 30+ years mapping productive spots on the reef and wrecks — instincts sharpened by a career in tournament fishing where finding fish faster than the competition is everything. He reads the wind, the tides, and the current each day to know exactly where the fish should be holding. That natural feel for the water is what puts you on fish, not luck.

Recent Reef & Bottom Catches

Three anglers at the dock with boat completely covered in mutton snapper, yellowtail, and grouper after a reef charter
Woman smiling at night holding a giant cubera snapper nearly as tall as she is alongside the M&M
Three anglers on the boat, two holding large mutton snappers and one giving a shaka sign
Two anglers each holding a large grouper on the boat with blue sky and open ocean behind them
Young boy and his dad holding a large grouper together on the boat
Four men at the dock with boat covered in red snapper and a large grouper laid on the bow
Two anglers in Mar Azul shirts each holding a large warsaw grouper on the boat at sea
Angler with dreadlocks holding a large grouper with deep blue water behind him
Woman in gray hoodie holding a gag grouper with deep blue water behind her on an M&M reef charter
Man in Pelagic straw hat holding a massive gag grouper on the deck of the M&M
Captain Mike with two kids holding a large mutton snapper on an M&M reef fishing charter
Man in blue camo rashguard holding a vivid orange mutton snapper on an M&M Florida Keys reef charter
Man in orange shirt holding a large gag grouper with cloudy sky and open ocean behind him
Four guys at night holding grouper and snapper with massive spread of yellowtail and snappers covering the deck
Two guys at dock each holding large grouper with full haul spread on the gunwale, Garmin tower behind
Man holding a patterned gag grouper next to a Suzuki outboard on an M&M Florida Keys bottom fishing charter
Man holding a large mutton snapper with two rods in the background on an M&M reef charter
Man in Mercury Racing cap holding a colorful yellow and pink mutton snapper against blue sky
Man in blue shirt holding a large tilefish with multiple bottom fishing rods behind him on the M&M
Two guys holding a vivid scarlet red grouper together on an M&M Florida Keys reef charter
Enormous full-boat haul of snapper and grouper spread across the entire M&M bow at the dock, palm trees behind
Woman holding a large grouper on an offshore reef charter in the Florida Keys
Four guys at the dock holding multiple grouper with full snapper haul spread on the boat, Garmin tower visible
Man in blue shorts holding a large mutton snapper against bright blue sky on the M&M
Five crew members at dusk at the dock with a massive spread of grouper and snapper covering the entire M&M bow
Man in Reebok shorts holding a large gag grouper with deep blue water behind him on the M&M

Also Available

Looking for bigger game? Try deep sea fishingSharks are also found on the reefsSee Charter Rates

Book a Reef Fishing Charter in the Florida Keys

Half and full day reef trips out of Key Largo. All tackle and bait included.

Book Your Trip Now