Key West Reef Fishing Charters

What is Reef Fishing?

The waters off of Key West are loaded with reefs. Fishing the reefs can produce many species of fish, many are excellent table fair. Yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper and any type of grouper are among the favorites of most. Reef fishing is a really good choice if you are looking for good eating fish and/or none stop action. Key West is blessed with reefs on both the Gulf of Mexico side to the north and the Atlantic Ocean side to the south.
On the Atlantic Ocean side we have a huge barrier reef. The barrier reef runs parallel to the keys and is about 6 miles due south. Most of the reef fishing is done outside of the main reef about a half mile to a mile. The best reef fishing is in depths of water ranging from 60ft to 120ft of water. You may run further east or west down the reef line depending on the direction of the current, wind direction and speed, clarity of the water and where the best reef fishing has been recently.

If you happen to come down to Key West and the wind is blowing it can get bumpy outside the reef. The great thing about Key West is you still have a couple of options. If the wind has any north in it you can fish some of the patch reefs located inside the main reef line. There are thousands of patch reefs and the fishing on them can be outstanding. They are more productive during the cooler months. You would most likely fish several patch reefs in one trip. They are small reefs and fishing 3 or 4 in a half day is not uncommon. Another reef fishing option is the fishing the Gulf of Mexico reefs. We normally fish these reefs when the wind is blowing out of the south. A south wind means calmer water on the Gulf side. Reef fishing charters in Key West, Florida.

Reef fishing is a great option for eating fish, lots of action and a wide variety of fish. The fishing and techniques are easy and fun. Reef fishing can accommodate everybody from the novice to the most experienced of anglers, because of the vast variety of species and ways to catch them there are fish for all skill levels.