Humans have long been curious about what’s lurking in the darkest trenches of our oceans. We now know that such depths are home to monstrosities like Viperfish and Goblin Sharks. But there are also plenty of deep sea fish we have yet to discover.
You’re not likely to catch any of them on a fishing charter. And you’re not likely to be fishing 20,000 leagues under the sea. (One nautical league is over 18,000 feet!) But, you can fish the deep sea – perhaps much deeper than you ever kne
What are “deep sea” fish?
The deepest known fish is Snailfish, found off the coast of Japan at more than 27,000 feet. Floating tens of thousands of feet above them are species like Angler Fish, Giant Oarfish, Marine Hatchetfish, Blobfish, and much more. These creatures live in conditions akin to another planet, and their gruesome grins truly will haunt your dreams!
Chances are you won’t ever come face-to-face with these fish. But, you may have had some deep sea fish served up on your dinner plate, such as Grenadier (pictured above”), Orange Roughy, Hake, and Monkfish. Sadly, many of these are vulnerable to overfishing, due to the commercial methods in use and their slow growth rate.
And then there’s recreational deep sea fishing. When anglers talk about hitting the deep sea, they’re usually after Marlin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Snapper, Grouper, monster Sharks, and more. Catching these beasts involves trolling or bottom fishing in waters over 100 feet deep. But you can drop a line much deeper than that and reel in some very different fish.
So, just how deep are we talking? Well, The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization defines “deep sea fisheries” as anything between 200 and 2,000 meters (roughly 600 feet to more than 6,000). Recreational anglers typically target game fish between 600 and 2,000 feet deep. This will have you deep dropping over underwater cliffs, trenches, troughs, and seamounts. Not only is it a unique and challenging experience, but doing it with a rod and reel is better for the environment these fish call home.
Deep Sea Species to Fish For
So, what’s swimming thousands of feet below the surface? Here’s a look at some fish you can catch while deep dropping in US waters.
Swordfish
Swordfish are the deepwater cousins of Marlin and Sailfish. These Billfish span across the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans, usually between 650–2,000 feet down. At night, they ascend toward the surface to feed, but you can still target them during daylight hours at the deeper end of their range. Swordfish are among the largest fish you can catch in the deep – and the ocean, as a whole. They’re capable of reaching nearly 15 feet and hundreds of pounds, and, in rare cases, they can exceed 1,000 pounds!
Snowy & Yellowedge Grouper
Anglers usually catch Snowy Grouper 300–650 feet down, though they can live as deep as 1,300 feet. Yellowedge inhabit the same range but they tend to sit a bit deeper, usually between 400–1,000 feet. Both species average around 30 pounds in size, though Snowy Grouper can reach up to 70.
Dragging them to the surface will be worth the effort, as Grouper are known for their moist and flaky filets. And out of all the Grouper in the sea, many people agree that Yellowedge is the tastiest. You can catch both species along much of the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.
Queen & Yelloweye Snapper
Yelloweye Snapper (aka Silk Snapper) live 250–500 feet deep. Meanwhile, Queen Snapper swim anywhere between 330 and 1,640 feet down, making them one of the deepest dwelling fish in the western Atlantic.
Queen Snapper are long and lean for their family, typically reaching sizes of 2–3 feet long. Yelloweye Snapper grow to a similar size, but they pack twice as much weight (up to 40 pounds) and look more like the Snappers you’re used to. Both are red but, aside from that, they look very different. In the western Atlantic, you can catch them all the way up to North Carolina and down to the Gulf of Mexico.
Golden Tilefish
Like most of the fish on our list, Tilefish are excellent table fare. After all, you don’t want to spend all that time and effort plumbing the deep for no reason! Their meat is firm and flaky, but buttery at the same time, with a flavor akin to Lobster or Crab. There will be plenty to go around the dinner table, as these fish can reach a respectable 55 pounds.
In the US’s Atlantic waters, their range extends from the Gulf of Mexico all the way up the East Coast. You’ll catch them anywhere between 250–1,500 feet below the surface.
Barrelfish
You’re truly getting into deepwater territory once you hook a Barrelfish. While the other species on our list look familiar and sometimes grace waters much closer to the surface, these wide-eyed fish are rarely caught on the average fishing trip.
Barrelfish typically live between 300–1,200 feet down, but can swim as deep as 2,000. Capable of reaching 25 pounds, these are one heck of an eating fish. Their firm meat turns tender when cooked and many describe the unique flavor as rich and sweet like lobster.
You can catch Barrelfish all along the East Coast and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. In New Zealand, anglers fishing the deep sea catch a related species known as Bluenose Warehou (pictured above).
Wreckfish
Wreckfish are one of the larger trophies on our list. If you catch an average-sized fish at 4 feet long and 50 pounds, you might not be impressed. But, there’s always a chance that you’ll land one which measures over 6 feet and 200 pounds.
Wreckfish live in the Atlantic as well as the Pacific Ocean, anywhere from 140–3,300 feet deep. Named after the wreckages they inhabit, they hunt near deepwater shipwrecks and other debris
These fish are relatively rare in US waters. The best-known spot for them is the “Charleston Bump” about 100 miles southeast of Charleston, SC. The Bump is characterized by deep underwater caves and overhangs which are home to Wreckfish exceeding 100 pounds.
Hawaii’s “Deep Seven”
If you ever go bottom fishing in Hawaii, you’re sure to hear about the “Deep Seven.” This collection of Snappers and Grouper holds immense cultural significance. They’re not the deepest fish in Hawaii’s waters, but they are the most sought-after. You can catch them in as little as 250 feet or as deep as 1,300 feet.
The Deep Seven fish are:
- Onaga (Longtail Red Snapper) – a relative of Queen Snapper in the Atlantic
- Ehu (Squirrelfish Snapper)
- Lehi (Silverjaw Snapper) – known as Rusty Jobfish in the Indo-Pacific
- Gindai (Brigham’s Snapper)
- Kalekale (Von Siebold’s Snapper)
- ‘Ōpakapaka (Pink Snapper)
- Hapuʻupuʻu (Hawaiian Grouper)
Where to Fish the Deep Sea
So, you’re ready to fish the deep, deep sea. But where to? For a chance at some of the species we mentioned, there’s a handful of places worth visiting:
- Florida Keys. With countless shipwrecks, seamounts, and the continental shelf within reach, the Florida Keys should be your go-to destination for deep-drop fishing. Here you can catch Snowy and Yellowedge Grouper, Queen and Yelloweye Snapper, Swordfish, Tilefish, and more.
- Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf averages depths of over 5,000 feet, with its deepest point (Sigsbee Deep) plummeting over 14,000 feet. Charter boats in Destin, Pensacola, Gulf Shores, Venice, and Corpus Christi have some of the quickest access to deep waters past the continental shelf. Your catch list could include Swordfish, Tilefish, Queen Snapper, Yelloweye Snapper, and Snowy and Yellowedge Grouper.
- Outer Banks. Hugging the elbow of the Eastern Seaboard, North Carolina’s OBX sit as close to the continental shelf as you can get. In addition to Swordfish and deepwater Snapper and Grouper, you may catch Barrelfish as well.
- Charleston. If you’re after Wreckfish, head to the Charleston Bump about 100 miles southeast of Charleston. You can also get there aboard charter boats out of Hilton Head Island, as well as Tybee Island, Savannah, and Brunswick in Georgia.
- Coronado Islands. The Coronado Islands are technically in Mexican waters, but you can reach them from San Diego. The seafloor between and around the islands is only about 100 feet deep, but to the west lies the San Diego Trough, where underwater cliffs suddenly give way to a channel over 3,600 feet deep. In addition to massive Rockfish, you can try deep dropping for Swordfish.
- Hawaii. The Kona Coast along the main island of Hawaii is the state mecca of deep sea fishing. Naturally, this is where you should go for a chance at hooking the Deep Seven.
How to Fish the Deep Sea
There’s only one way to plumb the deepest seas, and that’s deep dropping. In essence, this means bottom fishing — just really, really deep. This technique is usually reserved for fishing 600–2,000 feet below. There’s nowhere to drop the anchor in this case, so the boat will drift or you’ll work the engine to keep it as stationary as possible.
Once your lines have descended, there’s nothing to do but wait. When you’re dropping lines this deep, your gear is going to do most of the work for you, and that equipment has to be specialized.
Deep Dropping Gear
Quality deep dropping gear isn’t cheap. For serious anglers who plan on habitually plumbing the depths, it’s worth investing several thousand dollars. For anyone simply looking to try a new experience, it’s cost-effective to hire a charter boat. Either way, expect to use the following:
Electric Reels
Iconic to deep dropping, these swap the manual power of your forearm for battery power. And trust us, you’ll need it! When your hook is sitting thousands of feet down, it can take half an hour just to reel it in and change your bait. Since electric reels are made for deep sea fishing, they also provide plenty of drag and line capacity.
If you really prefer to deep drop manually, you can. You can also opt for the middle ground, which is a power-assist reel. This still involves cranking the reel yourself, but you’ll get some mechanical help pulling heavy weights off the bottom.
Bent-butt Rods
It goes without saying that you’ll need a sturdy rod to haul your catch up hundreds or thousands of feet. 6–7′ bent-butt rods are the standard for deep dropping, which should come with swivel tips and roller guides designed for this specific style of fishing. The bent butt feature gives your rod a strong backbone, without sacrificing the sensitivity you need to feel a bit from smaller deep sea fish.
Braided Line
Some deep droppers use up to 200 lb test braided line, while others recommend erring on the lighter side with 50 lb braid. The logic behind using a thinner braid is that you don’t need to add as much weight to your rig to keep the line grounded. Less gear weighing down your terminal tackle means more bites from spooky fish.
Rigs
Deep dropping rigs consist of multiple circle hooks attached to nylon mono lines, which are used for both the main line and the branching lines or leaders. Your hook size and line weight depend on your target species. In most cases, 13/0 or 14/0 hooks and 150 lb monofilament will suffice. If you’re after smaller species like Snapper, you can get away with 4/0–9/0 hooks, while really large targets like Wreckfish require 16/0 hooks.
Bells and Whistles
Many deep droppers add a light source to their rigs in order to attract fish. There are tons of lights designed for this which come in all colors. Some even make noise. Have in mind that adding lights is optional. However, the critters these deep sea fish normally feed on don’t glow, so there’s no need to add special effects.
One thing you will need, however, is a descending device. This is required in federal waters to return any non-keeper fish to the deep while doing as little damage as possible.
Stick Weights
Keeping your rig grounded hundreds or thousands of feet under water requires a decent amount of weight. But you don’t want to slap on too much because then you lose your feel for the bottom and it only gets harder to reel back up. Wind, current, and bait size all play their part in determining how much weight you need. A range of 4–8 lb stick weights will suit most situations.
Deep Dropping Bait
The deep sea is somewhat of a desert. Little to no sunlight makes food scarce, and beggars can’t be choosers. For anglers, this is great news because it means your target won’t be picky!
A variety of dead baits work well, provided they’re fresh and pungent. Squid is the most popular deep dropping bait, followed by bonito. Cut the bait based on the size of your target species. 1″ cubes are good for Snapper, while whole squid or 5″ strips of bonito are better for lunkers like Grouper, Tilefish, and Barrelfish.
When to Fish the Deep Sea
When you’re deep dropping, it makes little difference what time of day you go fishing — after all, many of these fish are used to perpetual darkness. Some anglers like to do their deep dropping in the middle of the day or early afternoon, when other fish close to the surface aren’t biting as much. Deep dropping at night is also common for some species like Swordfish.
The time of year is not a significant factor, either. Few fish that live this deep are migratory and you’ll get a bite pretty much any month of the year. That said, regulations may not allow you to harvest certain species all year long, so it’s important to know what’s off-limits and when.
While the season and time of day don’t hold much sway over deep dropping, weather is another matter. Deep dropping usually takes place far from shore, so traveling under safe conditions is a priority. Aside from that, strong wind and current will make it harder for you to fish in one spot, so you should aim to go deep dropping when the seas are calm.
Deep Sea Fish: A League of Their Own!
Deep dropping may not land you any monsters like the Kraken or giant Sea Squid. But it’s an adventure in its own right and you’ll be rewarded with the most delicious and sought-after fish our seas have to offer.
Few anglers have bragging rights to these deep sea delicacies. Catch one, and you’ll be a cut above (or should we say below?) the rest. Sure, you won’t be dropping your line 20,000 leagues under the sea – but, then again, maybe that’s a relief. Who knows what’s waiting down there?!
Have you ever been on a deep sea fishing adventure? How long were you on the water? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
The post Deep Sea Fish: The Complete Guide for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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