King mackerel out of Key Largo
King mackerel fishing out of Key Largo happens offshore, over deep artificial structure. Four FWC-listed wrecks and reefs near the port sit in 110 to 135 ft of water. Locals call the fish kingfish, and you’ll hear that name at every dock. This page covers the named structure and depths; the linked pages cover the rest. Ramps, channels and the official marine forecast links are on the Key Largo port page.
When kings are around Key Largo
Kingfish timing follows the species’ seasonal movement along the Atlantic coast. The king mackerel species guide covers seasonal behavior, and the regional king mackerel guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide) covers the migration.
Running offshore from Key Largo
Boats from Key Largo run offshore for kings. The operator listing doesn’t name a single ground, so the named artificial structure is the best place to narrow the search. For wind and sea numbers on the day, use the official marine forecast links on the port page. The four grounds below are where to start.
The grounds: deep wrecks and reefs off Key Largo
Four named artificial structures off Key Largo sit between 110 and 135 ft. Two are wrecks and two are artificial reefs, all listed as FWC Florida Keys artificial reefs.
| Site | Type | Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Spiegel Grove | artificial reef wreck | 135 |
| Duane | artificial reef wreck | 118 |
| Alva Chapman Reef | artificial reef | 118 |
| Eagle | FWC Florida Keys artificial reef | 110 |
The four sites span 25 ft of depth. All four appear on the Chart Contours layer in the app. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Spiegel Grove (135 ft)
Spiegel Grove is an artificial reef wreck at 135 ft, the deepest of the four.
Duane (118 ft)
Duane is an artificial reef wreck at 118 ft, the same depth as Alva Chapman Reef.
Alva Chapman Reef (118 ft)
Alva Chapman Reef is an artificial reef rather than a wreck, at 118 ft.
Eagle (110 ft)
Eagle is an FWC Florida Keys artificial reef at 110 ft, the shallowest of the four.
How kings are fished over Key Largo structure
Kings off Key Largo are fished in the water above the structure, not on the bottom. With the structure at 110 to 135 ft, the question is how much of that column you cover.
The 25 ft spread between sites changes how much line and weight it takes to work the water above each one. A setup that suits Eagle at 110 ft will need adjusting for Spiegel Grove at 135 ft. Rigs and tactics are in the rigging and tactics for kings section of the species guide. Nothing here promises fish; it helps you decide where to look.
Who fishes kings out of Key Largo
Private boats and charters both fish kings from this port. Key Largo Fishing Adventures is a local charter that lists king mackerel. The same deep structure draws other fish too, and the coastal and offshore gamefish guides cover them.
FAQ: king mackerel fishing out of Key Largo
How deep are the wrecks off Key Largo where kings are fished?
The four named sites sit at 110 to 135 ft. Spiegel Grove and Duane are wrecks at 135 and 118 ft. Alva Chapman Reef is at 118 ft, and Eagle is at 110 ft.
Which is the deepest of the four?
Spiegel Grove, at 135 ft. Eagle is the shallowest, at 110 ft.
Where do boats run for kings out of Key Largo?
Boats run offshore, per the operator listing, and no single ground is named. The named artificial structure gives a starting point for the search. Distances are not listed.
Which king mackerel rules apply in Key Largo?
Monroe County uses the Gulf rule in state waters. Federal waters off Monroe belong to the Gulf migratory group, covered by the federal king mackerel limits. Check FWC and federal rules before you fish.
Is there a local charter that fishes kings?
Yes. Key Largo Fishing Adventures lists king mackerel among its target species.
