[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] “The reefs and wrecks of Islamorada are a big part of the reason that Islamorada is the “Sportfishing Capital of the World” and nobody will dispute that. Islamorada is SW of Key Largo.. Islamorada consists of 4 islands. Call us to fish 1-855-GOT-BAIT
The islands are Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe key, and Lower Matecumbe Key.
Fishing Spots include:
- The Eagle wreck is offshore in deeper water. Often you will find mahi, grouper, sailfish, sharks, barracuda and other large predators. It is a 287 foot steel boat in 110 feet of water.
- Davis reef, Is inside an SPA and lies southeast of Plantation Key. It is also part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
- Conch Reef, One of the best developed coral reefs, it the Aquarius Underwater Habitat is located there. The reef is closed to fishing. You need a permit to enter area and there is no anchoring or touching of the reefs. It is a great dive spot but with 60-100 feet depths and strong currents, it is not for amateurs. The Conch Wall is offshore of the reef and is outside of the SPA
- Alligator REEF, Named after the USS alligator that wrecked there. It lies to the southeast of Upper Matecumbe Key. The Alligator Reef Light stand on the reef. It is located in a Sanctuary Protection Area (SPA) and is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
- Pickles Reefs There is a Civil War wreck there that carried barrels of concrete. The concrete there is home to much marine life. Depths run from 6-30 feet.
- Crocker Reef is SW of Plantation. It is in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, but is not in the SPA
- Aquarium a shallow patch reef
- Fish Bowl a shallow Patch reef
- Islamorada Hump It is about 15 miles offshore and is very popular and often crowded. A lot of boats troll here but bottom fishing is also very good. You will find tuna, amberjack, barracuda and others.
- Cheeca Rocks An inshore reef off of Matecumbe key. It is a Special Preservation Area
- Spiegel Grove A 510 foot steel ship in 135′ of water.
- Duane A 437′ steel ship in 118” of water
- Alexander Barge A 120′ steel barge in 95′ of water.
- Islamorada Reef concrete bridge parts in 115′ of water
- Bibb A steel ship 327′ long in 130′ of water
Patch reefs Are found in 10-20′ of water.
They are generally surrounded by a halo of sand which is connected to seagrass beds. The sand halo is caused by herb eating fish that eat the grass. The width of the sand depends on how far the fish can leave the safety of the coral. The reef develops from coral settling on the hard bottom, living and dying with more coral settling on top.
When a reef nears the surface , it starts to get wider. The closer inshore patch reefs have the same fish as the offshore wrecks and reefs , but the fish tend to be smaller and often are found in schools.
On the deeper side of these reefs mahi-mahi and sailfish are sometimes found chasing smaller bait fish. The deep waters off shore produce many species including swordfish, grouper, Goliath grouper and schools of mahi-mahi.”, ”
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