Greater amberjack fishing out of Key Largo centers on four artificial structures in 110 to 135 ft of water, well past the shallow reef line. This page names those structures and their depths, explains how amberjack are fished over them, and lists who fishes for them from this port. It also points to where the rules live. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast region guide.
Where boats run out of Key Largo
Key Largo is an Upper Keys port on the Atlantic side. Hawk Channel runs inside the reef, and the Straits of Florida lie beyond it, as laid out in the NOAA Coast Pilot chapter 11. The Key Largo port page carries the channels, ramps and marinas.
Structure at 110 to 135 ft is a different kind of fishing from the shallow reef line:
- Reef line: shallow, close to Hawk Channel.
- Amberjack structure: deep artificial reef and wreck, 110 to 135 ft.
When the fish are around
Timing for greater amberjack, along with biology and general habits, is covered in the greater amberjack species guide. Season openings are set by regulation; see the Regulations section below.
How far boats run
Boats run to the structures on the operator target list, which the next section names. Before you go, check the official marine conditions and forecasts and read the NWS and NDBC numbers for wind, wave height and period.
Grounds and structure that hold amberjack
Four named artificial structures off Key Largo sit between 110 and 135 ft, as listed in the FWC Florida Keys artificial reefs boating guide. Together they make up the core of the local deep program, from Eagle at 110 ft to Spiegel Grove at 135 ft.
| Structure | Type | Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle | FWC Florida Keys artificial reef | 110 |
| Duane | artificial reef wreck | 118 |
| Alva Chapman Reef | artificial reef | 118 |
| Spiegel Grove | artificial reef wreck | 135 |
Spiegel Grove
Spiegel Grove is an artificial reef wreck at 135 ft, the deepest of the four.
Duane
Duane is an artificial reef wreck at 118 ft, the same depth as Alva Chapman Reef.
Alva Chapman Reef
Alva Chapman Reef is an artificial reef at 118 ft. It is a reef rather than a ship wreck.
Eagle
Eagle is an FWC Florida Keys artificial reef at 110 ft, the shallowest of the four.
You can view these structures with the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How amberjack are fished here
At 110 to 135 ft, position and fish control matter more than tackle brand. The reef fish fishing guides cover general wreck technique and the other reef fish that share this structure.
- Get positioned up-current of the wreck.
- Keep the fish from getting back into the structure.
Live bait over the wreck
Drop live bait over the structure with the boat set so the bait ends up on the wreck. Get the position right before presenting the bait, since a bait that lands off the structure wastes time at this depth.
Vertical jigging
Drop the jig to the depth where fish mark over the wreck, then work it back up through them. Your sounder shows where to start.
Keeping fish off the structure
Use tackle heavy enough to turn the fish, and turn its head early. Once an amberjack gets back into the wreck, the fight is usually over.
Who fishes for them out of Key Largo
Key Largo Fishing Adventures lists greater amberjack among its target species. Details of what it runs are on the operator’s Key Largo Fishing Adventures offshore trips page.
FAQ: amberjack out of Key Largo
What depth are the amberjack wrecks off Key Largo?
The named structures run from 110 ft at Eagle to 135 ft at Spiegel Grove. Duane and Alva Chapman Reef both sit at 118 ft.
Which Key Largo wreck is deepest?
Spiegel Grove, an artificial reef wreck at 135 ft.
How are amberjack fished on the Spiegel Grove and Duane?
Fish live bait or vertical jigs over the structure, positioned up-current. Use tackle heavy enough to keep fish out of the wreck. Spiegel Grove sits at 135 ft and Duane at 118 ft.
Who runs amberjack charters from Key Largo?
Key Largo Fishing Adventures lists greater amberjack among its target species. Contact the operator for trip details.
Where do I find the amberjack rules for Key Largo?
FWC sets state rules on the Atlantic side, where Key Largo’s grounds sit. Use the regulations section above for the pointers, and check the rules before fishing.
