Wahoo out of the Lower Keys at a glance
Wahoo fishing out of the Lower Keys is mostly a winter trolling game on the Atlantic side, past the reef line. Boats leave from Big Pine Key and Cudjoe Key, cross the reef and work the Atlantic-side reefs, and the longest run goes to Wood’s Wall, about 30 miles off.
The Lower Keys port page has ramps, marinas and where to read conditions. The wahoo species guide covers biology, behavior and tackle, so this page leaves those out.
We can show you where to look, but we can’t promise fish.
When wahoo are around
Per Fishing Florida Keys’ Lower Keys page, wahoo out of the Lower Keys are most common in winter. FishingBooker notes they show up on the reefs in season. That is a seasonal pattern rather than a schedule, so plan around it loosely. For the wider regional picture, see our guide to wahoo along the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide).
- Most common: winter
- Where they show up: the reefs, in season
- What to plan around: a pattern, not a calendar
Where boats run for wahoo out of the Lower Keys
Boats run past the reef and fish the Atlantic-side reefs. Keys Boat Tours lists wahoo as a bonus on its offshore trip, and Cudjoe Gardens Marina lists wahoo among its offshore fish.
The named grounds run from 35 ft to 2000 ft.
| Ground | Depth | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Looe Key Reef | 35 ft | About 6 miles south of Big Pine Key |
| Wood’s Wall | 2000 ft | About 30 miles off the Atlantic coast of Big Pine Key |
Three more named grounds sit on the Atlantic side:
- American Shoal: southwest of Big Pine Key
- Adolphus Busch Sr. artificial reef wreck: 112 ft
- The Humps: offshore of Cudjoe Key
Before a run, you can lay these grounds out against Chart Contours in the app. Chart layers are not for navigation. Before any run past the reef, read the NWS Key West coastal forecast and go by the wind and wave numbers it gives.
Channels out from the docks
The Newfound Harbor, Spanish Harbor and Niles channels are the routes from the docks to the Atlantic side. Newfound Harbor Key, a NOAA Sanctuary Preservation Area, sits near the Newfound Harbor route. The Regulations section below covers it.
Looe Key Reef
Looe Key Reef sits in 35 ft, about 6 miles south of Big Pine Key. It is the closest named reef on the run past the reef line.
American Shoal
American Shoal lies southwest of Big Pine Key. It is an Atlantic-side reef ground on the reef line.
Adolphus Busch Sr. wreck
The Adolphus Busch Sr. is an artificial reef wreck in 112 ft, which puts it on deeper structure beyond the reefs.
The Humps off Cudjoe Key
The Humps lie offshore of Cudjoe Key and are the named offshore ground for boats leaving from the Cudjoe side.
Wood’s Wall
Wood’s Wall drops to 2000 ft, about 30 miles off the Atlantic coast of Big Pine Key. It is the deepest and farthest named ground, which makes it a full-day trip.
How it’s fished locally
Trolling is the common method, per Fishing Florida Keys. Lower Keys Offshore Adventures lists trolling for wahoo on its full-day trip.
On many offshore days wahoo are a bonus fish, and Keys Boat Tours treats them that way on its offshore trips. For the other pelagics those trips cover, see the offshore gamefish guides.
Lower Keys wahoo charters
If you want a captain on the first run, these operators list wahoo:
- Southern Water Charters
- Lower Keys Offshore Adventures: 30-foot Scarab with twin 300 Yamahas, Big Pine Key
- Keys Boat Tours
- Captain Hook’s Marina and Dive Center, Big Pine Key
- Above & Below Fishing Adventures: Captain Jose Rodriguez, 32-foot SeaVee per the Greetwell listing
FAQ
When is wahoo season in the Lower Keys?
Winter is when they are most common, per Fishing Florida Keys. FishingBooker says they show up on the reefs in season.
How far do boats run for wahoo from Big Pine Key?
From Looe Key Reef, about 6 miles south of Big Pine Key, out to Wood’s Wall, about 30 miles off the Atlantic coast.
What is the deepest named wahoo ground off the Lower Keys?
Wood’s Wall, at 2000 ft, about 30 miles off Big Pine Key.
Do Lower Keys charters target wahoo?
Yes. Lower Keys Offshore Adventures lists full-day wahoo trolling, and Keys Boat Tours lists wahoo as a bonus on its offshore trip.
Is Newfound Harbor Key open to fishing?
NOAA lists it as a Sanctuary Preservation Area. Check NOAA’s zone rules and the Florida regulations before fishing there.
