While the Dry Tortugas is famous for its incredible bottom fishing over reefs and wrecks, the surrounding deep blue waters are also highway for exciting pelagic species. Targeting these open-ocean predators adds another dimension to your Dry Tortugas fishing charter, offering the chance to hook into fast-moving, hard-fighting fish like Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin), Tuna, Wahoo, and different types of Jacks.
Imagine cruising through clear, blue water, watching for signs of life on the surface, and then having your reel scream as a powerful fish takes the bait at high speed. That’s the thrill of pelagic fishing off the Dry Tortugas.
This guide explores the types of pelagic fish you might encounter in the deeper waters around the Dry Tortugas and the techniques typically used to catch them.
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What are Pelagic Fish?
Pelagic fish inhabit the open water column, away from the coast, reefs, or the seabed. They are often highly migratory, following baitfish, currents, and temperature changes across vast distances.
Why Target Pelagic Fish in the Dry Tortugas Area?
- Access to Deeper Water: The Dry Tortugas is located far offshore, meaning you are already relatively close to deeper water where pelagic species roam.
- Migration Routes: These waters lie along migration routes for various offshore species depending on the season.
- Exciting Fight: Pelagic fish are known for their speed and endurance, offering thrilling battles on appropriate tackle.
- Excellent Table Fare: Many pelagic species, like Mahi-Mahi and Tuna, are delicious.
Popular Pelagic Species Near the Dry Tortugas
The exact species you encounter will depend heavily on the time of year and water conditions.
- Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi): A favorite target of many offshore anglers due to their vibrant colors, acrobatic fights, and excellent taste. Mahi-mahi is often found around floating debris, weed lines (especially Sargassum), temperature breaks, and current edges.
- Tuna: While Yellowfin and Bluefin are less common on typical Dry Tortugas charters from Key West (being further offshore targets), Blackfin Tuna are frequently encountered. Blackfin are smaller but powerful fighters and excellent eating. They are often found over deep structure or temperature breaks.
- Wahoo: Known for their incredible speed and razor-sharp teeth. Caught by high-speed trolling, often around temperature breaks or structure. Wahoo is a highly prized, though sometimes elusive, catch.
- Various Jacks: While Amberjack are often targeted specifically around structure (see Catching Amberjack and other Jacks in the Dry Tortugas), species like Almaco Jacks and Greater Amberjack can also be found in deeper offshore areas.
- King Mackerel (Kingfish): A fast and popular game fish, common in slightly shallower offshore waters near wrecks or reefs, but also found cruising open areas. Kingfish is known for their smoking runs.
- Barracuda: While not always a primary target for food, Great Barracuda are abundant and offer a strong fight when encountered in open water or near structure.
Techniques for Targeting Pelagic Fish
Different species and conditions call for different techniques:
- Trolling: This is a very effective way to cover ground and find pelagic fish. Baits or lures are pulled behind the boat at various speeds.
- Live Bait Trolling: Using live pilchards, goggle eyes, or blue runners.
- Dead Bait Trolling: Using rigged ballyhoo, mullet, or spoons.
- Lure Trolling: Using artificial skirts, plugs, or jets. High-speed trolling with heavy lures and wire is needed for Wahoo.
- Chunking/Chumming: Drifting near structure or in an area holding fish (like a temperature break) and deploying cut bait (chunks) or live bait (chum) to attract fish to the boat. This is a common method for Blackfin Tuna.
- Casting: Casting live bait or artificial lures (like jigs or poppers) to fish spotted on the surface (e.g., Mahi-Mahi around weed lines, Tuna schools breaking water).
- Fishing around Floating Debris or Weed Lines: Mahi-Mahi are notorious for congregating under or around floating objects and Sargassum weed lines, as these provide shelter and attract smaller bait.
When and Where to Find Them
- Seasonality: Pelagic migrations are heavily seasonal. Mahi-Mahi are typically most abundant in late spring through summer, while Tuna can be found year-round but are often better in certain seasons.
- Water Temperature and Color: Pelagic fish often prefer clean, blue water and can be found along temperature breaks or color changes.
- Structure: Deep water wrecks and significant underwater ledges can attract baitfish and, in turn, pelagic predators.
- Floating Objects: Keep an eye out for anything floating – it could be holding Mahi-Mahi.
Targeting pelagic fish offers a chance for thrilling action and the possibility of larger, fast-moving catches in the vast blue waters around the Dry Tortugas. It often complements a bottom fishing trip, allowing anglers to experience different facets of this rich fishery.
Curious about the fish that stay close to the bottom? Read our guide on Dry Tortugas Bottom Fishing for Reef Species. For a full list of potential catches, explore Types of Fish to Catch in the Dry Tortugas.
