Wreck & Bottom Fishing Charters in Miami

Both the natural reefs and the artificial wrecks are home to a long list of popular game fish. Which structure we fish depends largely on what you want to catch that day.

Artificial wrecks sit at various depths throughout the county, and certain species gravitate to the structures in their preferred depth. Amberjack, red snapper, vermillion snapper, snowy grouper, and warsaw grouper prefer the deeper wrecks in the 240-foot-plus range. Kingfish, wahoo, mutton snapper, grouper, cobia, and African pompano hold in wrecks from 80 to 200 feet. Barracuda, jacks, yellowtail, and mangrove snapper live in shallower structure under 80 feet, which is perfect for lighter-tackle bottom fishing.

If you are after yellowtail, mutton, or mangrove snapper, the reefs and ledges in 40 to 70 feet are the move. The most consistent catches come from the stretch between Fowey Rock and Pacific Light off northern Key Largo. Waters to the north can be very productive too, but the fish concentrate in smaller pockets that make them more challenging to find. Anchoring and chumming with frozen block chum is the best way to fire up the bite in those areas.

Wreck fishing can be done several ways. Anchoring works great when the depth and weather cooperate. We also target deep spots by drifting over them or power-drifting baits near the bottom with live bait or a fresh chunk, which is deadly on grouper. Once the bait is down, hold on tight, because you never really know what is going to eat next.