Key Largo Wreck Fishing: 4-Hour Pro-Guided Trip

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

Key Largo, FL
$350 - $1,100 price range
Updated Date: September 6, 2025

Summary

Join Captain Andrew Atwill of Local Grown Charters for a half-day morning fishing trip in Key Largo, Florida. You'll have the option to fish the productive waters of Everglades National Park or head out to the patch reef for some serious action. The area is teeming with a variety of fish, including snapper, grouper, mackerel, snook, tarpon, speckled trout, jack crevalle, redfish, and barracuda. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fishing, Captain Andrew provides top-quality gear and expert guidance to ensure everyone has a great time on the water. As you cast your lines, take in the beautiful scenery of Key Largo's coastal environment. With a maximum of 6 guests, you'll get plenty of personal attention and opportunities to reel in some hard-fighting fish. Remember, deposits are non-refundable, so be sure to check the Trips & Rates page for all the details before booking your spot on this action-packed morning of fishing.

Key Largo Wreck Fishing: 4-Hour Pro-Guided Trip

Reels and Rods

8 blackfin tuna and atlantic bonito fish caught in FL

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Half-Day Fishing Frenzy: Key Largo's Hidden Gems

Ready to reel in some serious action? Join Captain Andrew Atwill of Local Grown Charters for a morning of non-stop fishing in the diverse waters of Key Largo. Whether you're casting lines in Everglades National Park or dropping bait on the patch reef, this half-day trip packs a punch with opportunities to land everything from hard-fighting jacks to toothy barracuda. Grab your hat and sunscreen - it's time to see why the Florida Keys are a top-rated fishing destination!

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we shove off, you'll feel the excitement building. Captain Andrew knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll have you on the fish in no time. We provide all the top-notch gear you need, so just bring your enthusiasm and maybe a lucky fishing hat. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, you'll be in good hands. We'll target a mix of inshore and nearshore species, giving you a taste of the incredible variety Key Largo has to offer. The morning bite is often the best, so be ready for some fast action as we hit prime spots.

Techniques & Hotspots

On this trip, we'll use a variety of fishing methods to maximize your chances of success. We might start by drifting live bait over the patch reefs, where snappers and groupers love to hide. If the tide is right, we'll hit some mangrove shorelines to sight-cast for snook and redfish. For the adrenaline junkies, we might do some run-and-gun fishing for rolling tarpon or bust out the topwater lures for explosive strikes from jacks and mackerel. Captain Andrew will read the conditions and adjust our strategy to put you on the fish. It's all about being flexible and having fun!

What Anglers Are Saying

"Captain Andrew and Rob did a fantastic job getting us on fish despite a windy day. We loved it so much we rebooked for tomorrow at the dock when we arrived back! Going to the Reef tomorrow and cant wait !" - Paula

"Andrew worked his tail off to keep bait on hooks and lines in the water. He offers a number of areas to fish and gives you options to maximize fishing for the day. I booked a 4 hour trip with my wife and 3 kids. Andrew was great with the kids and was always willing to answer questions." - Brian

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: These copper-colored beauties are a favorite among anglers for their hard fights and delicious meat. Redfish love to cruise the flats and mangrove shorelines, often giving themselves away with their signature tail out of the water. We'll sight-cast to these fish, which can reach over 40 inches in length. The thrill of watching a big red inhale your bait is hard to beat!

Crevalle Jack: If you want a workout, hope for a jack crevalle on your line. These bulldogs of the sea are pure muscle and will test your stamina. We often find them in schools, crashing bait on the surface. When they're feeding, the action is fast and furious. Jacks up to 30 pounds are not uncommon, so hold on tight!

Snook: The elusive snook is a prized catch in Key Largo. These ambush predators love to hang around structure, waiting to pounce on passing baitfish. We'll target them around mangroves, bridge pilings, and rocky shorelines. Snook are known for their acrobatic jumps and blistering runs, making them a blast to catch on light tackle.

Grey Snapper: Don't let their size fool you - grey snappers (also known as mangrove snappers) are crafty fighters that will keep you on your toes. These tasty fish hang around reefs and structures, often in schools. We'll use light tackle and small baits to entice these wary biters. It's a great species for anglers of all skill levels.

Tarpon: The silver king is the holy grail for many anglers visiting the Keys. These prehistoric fish can grow over 100 pounds and are famous for their spectacular leaps and gill-rattling head shakes. While they're more common in the late spring and summer, we occasionally hook into resident tarpon year-round. Landing a tarpon is a true accomplishment!

Sea Trout: Speckled sea trout are abundant in the grass flats and channels around Key Largo. These spotted predators are fun to catch on light tackle and make excellent table fare. We'll often drift the flats, casting soft plastics or live shrimp to entice these aggressive feeders.

Great Barracuda: With their menacing teeth and lightning-fast strikes, barracuda are the perfect target for thrill-seekers. We'll troll flashy lures or live bait to attract these toothy predators. The excitement of watching a 'cuda streak across the surface to attack your bait is unmatched. Just watch your fingers when unhooking them!

Spanish Mackerel: These speedsters provide non-stop action when they're around. We'll often find them in schools, chasing bait near the surface. Casting small, shiny lures or trolling spoons is a great way to hook into these fast-moving fish. Their fight is characterized by blistering runs and aerial acrobatics.

Time to Book Your Spot

A half-day trip with Local Grown Charters is the perfect way to experience the world-class fishing Key Largo has to offer. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, fill the cooler, or just enjoy a morning on the water, Captain Andrew will tailor the trip to your goals. With a max of 6 guests, you'll get plenty of personal attention and opportunities to land that fish of a lifetime. Don't forget - the early bird gets the worm (or in this case, the fish), so morning trips often yield the best results. Spaces fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Give us a call or book online today, and get ready for some rod-bending action in the beautiful waters of Key Largo!

Customer Reviews

Hooked on Adventure

Captain Andrew and Rob did a fantastic job getting us on fish despite a windy day. We loved it so much we rebooked for tomorrow at the dock when we arrived back! Going to the Reef tomorrow and cant wait !

Paula Harris

March 6, 2025

Andrews Fish Magic

Andrew worked his tail off to keep bait on hooks and lines in the water. He offers a number of areas to fish and gives you options to maximize fishing for the day. I booked a 4 hour trip with my wife and 3 kids. Andrew was great with the kids and was always willing to answer questions.

Brian Grote

January 3, 2025

Learn more about the species

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle jacks are bullies of the flats - and a blast to catch. These bruisers average 3-5 pounds but can top 30. Look for them terrorizing bait schools in open water or cruising the edges of channels. Spring and fall are prime jack seasons here. They're not known for subtle strikes - more like freight trains hitting your line. Bring heavy gear, because jacks will test your drag. While not the best eating, pound-for-pound they're one of the hardest fighting fish out there. My favorite way to target them is with topwater lures early morning. Nothing beats seeing a jack explode on a surface plug! Just hang on tight when they do.

Great Barracuda

Great barracuda are the toothy terrors of Key Largo waters. These sleek predators can top 5 feet and 50 pounds, with a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. You'll spot them around reefs, wrecks, and channel edges, often just below the surface. Barracuda are here year-round but seem most active in warmer months. They're lightning fast and will demolish topwater lures and shiny spoons. When hooked, expect blistering runs and acrobatic leaps. While not considered good eating, cuda are a blast to catch on light tackle. Just be careful handling them - those teeth are no joke! Pro tip: when a cuda follows your lure but won't bite, try a quick "bait and switch." Reel in fast, then let it drop. That often triggers a strike.

Grey Snapper

Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper, are abundant here and great eating. Most run 1-3 pounds, but 5-pounders aren't uncommon. You'll find them around any structure - reefs, wrecks, bridges, you name it. They're crafty and can be finicky, so light tackle and small hooks are key. I like to chum them up, then fish with live shrimp or small pilchards on a fluorocarbon leader. Grey snapper bite year-round but really fire up in summer. These fish have excellent eyesight, so they can be spooky in clear water. One trick is to fish for them at night around lighted docks - they let their guard down and feed more aggressively then. Just be ready for a lightning-fast bite when it comes!

Redfish

Redfish are a real favorite here in Key Largo. These copper-colored beauties usually run 20-30 inches and put up a great fight. Look for them in shallow flats and around mangroves, especially on incoming tides. They love to tail in water so shallow their backs stick out! Fall is prime time, but we catch 'em year-round. Redfish are prized for their light, flaky meat - great on the grill. When sight-fishing, I'll often have clients cast a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp right in front of a tailing red. Let it sink, then give it a twitch. That usually gets their attention! Just be ready when they slam it - these guys can strip line in a hurry.

Sea Trout

Sea trout, or speckled trout, are a staple of Key Largo fishing. Most run 15-20 inches, but gator trout over 5 pounds aren't rare. You'll find them over grass flats and around mangrove shorelines, often in 2-4 feet of water. They're active year-round but really turn on in cooler months. Trout are suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork, but soft plastics work great too. I like to drift the flats, fan-casting as we go. When you find a school, it's often non-stop action. Sea trout fight well on light tackle and are excellent eating. One local trick: trout often hold in potholes on the flats. Cast to those darker spots and you might be surprised by what you hook into!

Snook

Snook are the prize catch for many anglers in Key Largo. These wily predators average 24-34 inches but can reach over 40. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, bridge pilings, and inlet jetties. Spring and fall are peak seasons as they migrate. Snook are ambush feeders, so accuracy is key. I like to pitch live pilchards or white bucktail jigs right up against structure. Be ready for explosive strikes and powerful runs - snook are known for wrapping you around obstacles. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat. Just remember, snook are catch-and-release only from December through February to protect spawning. Land-based anglers, try fishing dock lights at night for some heart-pounding action.

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish mackerel are speed demons of the Keys, often traveling in large schools. These sleek fish average 2-4 pounds but can reach 12. Look for them in open water, especially around bait schools. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they migrate. Macks are suckers for flashy lures - small spoons and Gotcha plugs are top choices. Trolling is effective, but I prefer sight-casting when we spot a school busting bait on the surface. It's non-stop action! Spanish macks fight well above their weight, with blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. They're also excellent eating, with firm, flavorful meat. Just watch those teeth when unhooking them. Local tip: when you find a school, toss out some live chum. It'll often keep them around the boat longer for multiple hookups.

Tarpon

Tarpon are the silver kings of Key Largo - and for good reason. These prehistoric beasts can top 150 pounds and put on an aerial show like no other. Spring and early summer are prime time as they migrate through. Look for rolling fish in channels and along the flats edges. Live mullet, crabs, or big purple flies are top baits. When you hook up, be ready for spectacular leaps and long, powerful runs. Tarpon have bony mouths, so a good hook-set is crucial. Keep steady pressure and pump the rod to wear them down. It might take an hour to land a big one! While not known as table fare, the sheer size and acrobatics of tarpon make them a bucket-list fish for many anglers. Just handling one of these giants is a thrill.

About the Pathfinder

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 52

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Ready for some rod-bending action in Key Largo? Join Captain Andrew Atwill of Local Grown Charters for a half-day fishing trip that'll get your heart racing. We'll zip out to the patch reef or explore Everglades National Park's rich waters, targeting a variety of hard-fighting fish. Whether you're after snapper, grouper, mackerel, or the elusive tarpon, our morning adventure promises non-stop excitement. Don't worry about gear – we've got top-notch equipment covered. Novice or pro, you'll have a blast reeling in jacks, barracuda, redfish, and more. Picture yourself surrounded by Key Largo's stunning scenery, feeling that tug on your line as another fish takes the bait. It's pure Florida fishing at its finest. Just remember, deposits are non-refundable, so book your spot and get ready for a morning of reeling, laughing, and creating fishy tales to tell back home.

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