Types of Fish Jeff Has Caught on the Line — Part 2: Adventures from the Florida Keys
Chrissy Clary
Keys editions, reef tales, and why the chase never gets old
There's a special kind of hum that comes with fishing in the Florida Keys — boats idling, lines in the water, and a horizon that promises something a little different every cast. In this installment, we head south with Captain Jeff and Chrissy to talk about the types of fish they chase in the Keys: snappers in their glorious variety, stubborn groupers, and the ever-teasing tarpon. If you love travel stories tied to salt, sun, and a healthy dose of patience, this one’s for you.
Before you read all about our adventure, go watch the video here:
If you missed it, check out Part 1 — where Jeff broke down the species he chases around Savannah and the tidal lessons that shaped his technique. This Part 2 picks up the trail further south, where reef structure and open water change the rules.
Snapper School: Know the Players and the Playbook
Snapper fishing in Florida reads like a species catalog: lane, mangrove (aka gray), yellowtail, mutton — each with its own personality. Jeff’s main snapper lessons from the Keys are straightforward and travel-friendly.
How they catch them:
Patch reef & chum technique — set a chum bag off the stern to create a bait slick. That slick draws tiny baitfish, which in turn attracts small snapper, then bigger snapper, then the predators that follow the food chain.
Live pilchards for bigger snaps — tossing live bait into or just behind the chum line often produces the larger fish. Those live bites are worth the extra prep.
Bottom tactics — for reef snappers, drop live or chunk bait straight to the bottom near wrecks or structure. Simple, patient, effective.
Gear tips: if you’re planning a Keys snapper run, bring a stout inshore/nearshore rod, a mid-size reel (something in the 3000–4000 range), and be ready with circle hooks and a few leaders. Expect a lot of action — and a lot of small yellowtails if the chum’s working.
Grouper: The Deep, the Slow, the Heavy-Hitters
Grouper are the brawlers of the reef world. They often lurk on the bottom, behind wrecks or ledges, and when they bite, they don’t give it back easily.
What Jeff remembers most:
Goliath tales — some groupers, especially the Goliath or large blacks, will yank gear and test your tackle. You need line, drag, and patience.
Bottom rigs & squid/large chunks — bigger bait, heavier tackle, and a willingness to fight from the get-go. When grouper hit, they pull to structure; you’ll need good leaders (20–40 lb+, depending on size) and a reel with solid drag.
Cooking note: Some of those grouper nights turned into excellent meals — scamp and black grouper made memorable dinners on the boat. Eat what you catch responsibly and observe size/season regs.
Tarpon: The Tease That Keeps You Coming Back
Tarpon are the show-stoppers: explosive runs, silver rolling backs, and a knack for breaking lighter setups. For Jeff, tarpon remain the fish of “one day” — visible, tantalizing, and not yet landed.
How to approach them:
Spot rolling fish - visually locate them, ease in on a trolling motor, chum with menhaden or similar, and present live bait.
Be ready for the run - tarpon will pull line in a heartbeat. Heavy leaders, stout tackle, and nerves of steel help. Landing one is as much about gear as it is about persistence.
A small travel truth: you’ll see tarpon all the time in some Keys spots. You’ll hook them sometimes. You’ll land them less often. That’s the draw. It’s the obsession.
The Community Ethos — Fishing Is a Shared Map
One thing the Keys taught Jeff: anglers are generous with practical tips. He’ll talk to anyone on a dock about bait, current, or the day’s best trick. Yet there’s a wink here — share too much and your “sure thing” spots get crowded. So the rule becomes balance: help the community, but keep some spots for the bliss of discovery.
Jeff’s closing advice is both travel and life advice: get off the screens, pick an obsession that’s real, and let it lead you to places — sometimes to a perfect reef, sometimes just to a quiet moment with the line tight and the water shining.
Quick Practical Takeaways (for your next Keys trip)
Chum for structure: chum bags + live pilchards = more and bigger snappers.
Drop for grouper: heavy rigs, big chunks, and patience.
Spot + stealth for tarpon: find the rolls, chum, present live bait, and be ready for the run.
Community learning: talk to the locals — they’ll usually give you better tips than a map.
Want to Try It? Book a Local Captain
If you want someone to show you the ropes (and the reef lines), consider booking a guided trip — local captains know tides, patches, and safety. Plan a charter through our affiliate partner: Jeff's Fishing Charter — it’s an easy way to find local pros and get on the water.
Fishing in the Keys is a lesson in variety. From the dozens-a-day snapper blitz to the careful bottom wrestling for grouper, to the tarpon that keeps you coming back, every trip brings a new story. Which types of fish do you chase on your travels? Drop your best catch story below — Jeff and Chrissy want to hear where the water led you—tight lines.