Miami Fishing
Top Miami Fishing Charters
The Best Charter Boats in Miami, FL
Fishing in Miami is what dreams are made of, and the best way to make all of your dreams come true is to hop aboard one of the many Miami fishing charters and have the experienced crew lead the way.
There are a few options that you can take to fish in Miami. There are miles of flats in Biscayne Bay, many reefs and wrecks just offshore, and the deep blue water of the monsters. Most charters offer 4-hour/6-hour/8-hour trips, and specialty trips like Swordfish day and night charters and nighttime Tuna charters can also be found.
One of the beauties of fishing in Miami is when you get on board your charter for the day. It is only minutes before your rod is in the water, and the day has begun because the prime feeding grounds of the warm, nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf Stream are just offshore.
Florida reef and wreck fishing have an array of magnificent fish. You will encounter Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, and Cobia on your charter, all ready for your hook. You can also find some excellent shark fishing with Hammerhead, Mako, Bull, and Tigers.
Offshore the waters hold all of the most sought-after trophies and monsters on any angler’s bucket list. Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, and Swordfish can all be found in the deep waters just miles offshore. A full-day charter is an excellent chance for you to land one or more of these beasts.
Miami is one of the best places in the world for Sailfish. You can catch these fun and feisty fish all year long and sometimes right offshore in the reefs and Government Cut.
Biscayne Bay is an excellent place for you to go for a fun and a relaxing day fishing for Redfish and Seatrout or an action-filled day searching for Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, and Snook. The inshore fishing of Miami maybe some of the best around because it is one of the most diverse coastal fisheries in the country. When fishing, you should be prepared for anything.
Miami is called the “Magic City,” and the waters of this fun city are magical.
FAQ
Where can I find most of the fishing charters in Miami?
Inshore Miami fishing charters run on average $600 – 800 for half-day (4 hours) with four anglers and around $1000 for full-day excursions. Offshore is a little more pricy with a half-day trip price average of $900 – 1200 and full-day 8-hour trips for anywhere between $1500 to over $2000. These trips offshore are for a maximum of 6 anglers.
Some Miami fishing charters offer shared trips where the cost is considerably less for those on a budget or traveling in smaller groups. The avg. price for a 4 hr. inshore trip is $70/person, while going out to fish for the big game fish offshore will cost $200/person on average. Shared trips usually have a minimum of four anglers, and if that number is not met, the anglers can split the total cost if there were four, or the charter will be canceled. Miami has a few party boats that can take you out for a great day on the water for as low as $60 for 4 hours.
These prices can vary based on the duration of the trip, the boat size and amenities offered, and the number of anglers. Also, many charters offer special trips and trips catered to your wants. Some charters also offer overnight and multiple day trips. But there are additional costs involved with these trips.
Does Miami offer year round fishing?
Miami has great fishing all year round. The water stays relatively warm throughout the year, and because of this, hundreds of fish call the waters inshore and offshore of Miami home.
Is the fishing good in Miami?
Miami is hot, and the fishing in Miami is even hotter. No matter what time of year you come to Miami, the bite is on! The warm waters off the coast of S. Florida are teeming with trophy fish. Inshore, there are Tarpon, Redfish and Snook and Offshore multiple Billfish, Mahi Mahi and Wahoo and the delicious fish like Snapper and Grouper you want to put on your dinner table or fill your freezer.
When is sailfish season in Miami?
The state saltwater fish for Florida has been the Sailfish for over 30 years, and Miami is one of the premier spots in the world for the action-packed excitement of bill fishing. The Sailfish is in the waters year-round; however, the real action heats up from Late November to April because this is when the Sailfish migrate south.
Do you need a fishing license to go charter fishing in Miami?
The state saltwater fish for Florida has been the Sailfish for over 30 years, and Miami is one of the premier spots in the world for the action-packed excitement of bill fishing. The Sailfish is in the waters year-round; however, the real action heats up from Late November to April because this is when the Sailfish migrate south.
Do you need a fishing license to go charter fishing in Miami?
Yes, you do need a license for most fishing, except for a few residential licenses. But visitors to the “Emerald City” need to purchase either a 3 day, 5 day or, if you come down to Miami a lot, 1 year passes. All of these licenses are for either saltwater or freshwater.
To be safe, if you are fishing in brackish water, you might want to get both permits so that if you accidentally hook up with a Peacock Bass while fishing for Tarpon, you will not get in trouble.
In addition, there are some fish that you need special passes to bring into your boat. Snook, Tarpon, (if you are trying for an IGFA record; otherwise, they are strictly catch and release), and if you are not on a charter, you need free permits for Snapper and Grouper on the reefs. One good thing is that your pass covers the entire boat, so not everyone needs to possess a pass to go fishing. If you charter a Miami charter fishing boat for offshore fishing, they will generally include everything you need.
Where can I find most of the fishing charters in Miami?
There are many marinas throughout the city, but the best ones for finding and booking a Miami fishing charter are the big four: Crandon Park, Haulover Beach, Miami Beach and Bayside Marketplace.
Some of the best charter boat captains and fishing guides in the area can be found at Crandon Park Marina.
Haulover Beach Marina is the home base for multiple charter companies and a claim to the largest charter and drift-fishing fleet in South Florida.
Miami Beach Marina has a smaller fleet home to mainly private vessels. The Reward Fleet, with a popular party boat, is located here.
Bayside Marketplace is also a much smaller marina but has a much more relaxed atmosphere, and the private charters here are not pushing sales as much as other marinas and charters.