Fish You Can Catch in Key West with Gulfstream Fishing

Grunts are a fun and reliable catch on Key West reef trips, often found schooling over shallow coral heads and rocky bottom. These fish get their name from the noise they make when caught and are known for biting fast and often. Most Grunts range from 1 to 2 pounds and are typically caught while bottom fishing with squid or cut bait. At Gulfstream Fishing, Grunts are a crowd favorite—especially for beginners and families—offering nonstop action and surprisingly tasty fillets.

Yellowtail Snapper are a staple of reef fishing in Key West—known for their vibrant color, light tackle action, and excellent table fare. These fish school up over shallow reefs and ledges, making them a great target year-round. At Gulfstream Fishing, we chum the waters to bring Yellowtail right to the boat, offering fast-paced action for all skill levels. Most Yellowtail range from 1 to 4 pounds, and they’re perfect for anglers looking to catch numbers and enjoy a fresh meal.

Lane Snapper are a colorful reef fish found in shallow to mid-depth waters around Key West. With their pinkish hue and yellow stripes, they’re easy to spot and even easier to love—offering great action and mild, flaky fillets. Most Lane Snapper range from 1 to 3 pounds and are caught while bottom fishing with cut bait on patch reefs and coral heads. At Gulfstream Fishing, they’re a favorite for filling the cooler and keeping anglers of all ages hooked up all day long.

Grey Snapper, also known as Mangrove Snapper, are a prized reef species in Key West—especially during our popular summer night fishing trips. Found around reefs, wrecks, and channel edges, these sharp-eyed fish are known for quick strikes and great table fare. Most Grey Snapper range from 1 to 5 pounds, but larger fish are caught in deeper water after dark. At Gulfstream Fishing, we target them with cut bait on the bottom, offering guests steady action and a cooler full of fresh fillets under the stars.

Porgy are an underrated reef fish that deliver big on flavor and fun. Common around wrecks, coral heads, and hard bottom areas, they’re caught year-round while bottom fishing with squid or cut bait. These fish range from 1 to 3 pounds and often school up, making them great for anglers looking for steady action and a cooler full of quality fillets. At Gulfstream Fishing, we love putting guests on Porgy—they fight hard, taste great, and keep rods bent.

Mutton Snapper are a top target for anglers fishing the reefs and wrecks of Key West. Known for their strong fight, bright colors, and excellent taste, these snapper are most active in warmer months but can be caught year-round. At Gulfstream Fishing, we target Mutton Snapper using live bait on the bottom near deep structure and wrecks. These fish range from 5 to 20+ pounds and offer both a fun challenge and a great meal. Book your Key West fishing trip today and let’s hook into some Mutton Snapper!

Red Grouper are a popular catch on Key West reef and wreck fishing trips. Known for their aggressive bite and great flavor, they’re found year-round in deeper waters. These fish average 5 to 15 pounds and are often caught while bottom fishing with live or cut bait. At Gulfstream Fishing, we target Red Grouper on natural ledges and rock piles, giving anglers a shot at both steady action and tasty fillets. Book your Key West grouper trip and drop a line on the reef today!

Black Grouper are one of the most powerful and sought-after fish on the reefs and wrecks of Key West. Known for their size and strength, they’re commonly caught on deep structure using cut bait and heavy tackle. These bruisers can exceed 40 pounds and are a favorite for anglers looking to land a trophy and bring home premium fillets. At Gulfstream Fishing, we know the spots to hook into a Black Grouper and the gear it takes to get them to the boat.

Spanish Mackerel are fast, flashy, and fun to catch—making them a top target during the cooler months in Key West. These aggressive fish are found inshore and nearshore, often chasing baitfish in schools near the surface. Most Spanish Mackerel range from 2 to 5 pounds and are caught while trolling or casting with light tackle. At Gulfstream Fishing, they’re a favorite for anglers who want fast-paced action, drag-screaming runs, and plenty of bites in a short tim

Sheepshead are a toothy, striped reef fish known for stealing bait and putting up a surprising fight. Found around pilings, rock piles, and nearshore structure, they’re most active in the cooler months. These fish average 2 to 5 pounds and are caught while bottom fishing with cut bait, especially around barnacle-covered spots. At Gulfstream Fishing, Sheepshead are a fun winter target with sweet, flaky fillets and a reputation for being smarter than they look. Bring your A-game—they’ll test your reflexes!

Margate, also known as White Margate or Key West Margate, are a solid reef species found around ledges, wrecks, and live bottom. These chunky, silver-gray fish average 2 to 5 pounds and are often caught while bottom fishing with cut bait. They fight hard for their size and have firm, white meat that’s great on the grill. At Gulfstream Fishing, Margate are part of the reef mix that keeps rods bending and coolers filling. A dependable catch for anglers of all experience levels.