Description
Fishing in the South Florida hotspot 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. 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 and nighttime Tuna trips can also be found.
One of the beauties of fishing in Miami is when you get on board your excursion 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, 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing in Miami, FL
What should I bring on my fishing trip?
The must-have items you should bring with you are:
- Plenty of water
- Food & snacks
- Sunscreen (high SPF protection)
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- A jacket or long sleeve shirt
- Camera
What are the most common mistakes people make before their trip??
Avoid doing any of these before your fishing trip.
- Staying out late and not getting enough rest
- Drinking alcohol
- Not preparing for the trip the day before
- Oversleeping
How do I book a fishing charter?
The best way to book a fishing trip is to book directly with captain. Most offer online bookings on their website. If they do not, you can make a reservation over the phone.
Is it customary to tip the First Mate at the end of your fishing trip?
Yes, it’s customary to tip 15% – 20% after your fishing trip. However, keep in mind not all fishing charter operators offer or need a first mate. It depends on the charter type and the fishing vessel’s size.
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.
What are the popular gamefish found in Miami, FL??
- Sailfish
- Mahi-Mahi (dolphinfish)
- Swordfish
- Grouper
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Snapper
- Shark
What happens when your fishing trip is canceled due to inclement weather?
Generally, If the charter captain cancels the fishing charter due to bad weather, you can reschedule or get a full refund. We recommend reading the fishing charter operators booking policy before making a booking.
If I cancel my fishing trip, will I get a refund?
Most captain’s will offer a full refund if you cancel seven days or more before the trip date. However, we advise you to speak with the captain before booking.
About Miami
The Miami metropolitan area, located at the southern tip of Florida is the largest metropolitan center in the southeastern United States and the 5th largest urban center in the United States. Miami is known world wide for its beautiful skyline, sparkling beaches, red hot nightlife, world class dining and shopping, and unbeatable water sports including some of the most exciting deep water fishing in the world.
Miami offers numerous inshore and offshore fishing charters to fit anyone’s taste, style, and budget. If you want to try your hand at Miami’s famous kitefishing, go night fishing for the heavyweight swordfish, fish the inshore bay areas for tarpon, go deep for sailfish, marlin, wahoo, or yellowfin, or fish the rich waters of the reef for grouper, sea bass, and more there is a charter boat for every angler in Miami. Large yachts and smaller skiffs are found all over the Miami area and can be booked through most hotels and resorts as well as direct from the captains. Miami boast a beautiful sub tropical climate with sunny weather year round. Rainfall is heaviest in the summer months, but the sun still makes an appearance most every day. High temperatures range from the mid 70’s in winter to the high 80’s in summer.
With so many species and styles of fishing offered, and an unbeatably sunny sub tropical climate, Miami offers great fishing year round. Known as the swordfish capital of the world, fishing for swordfish in Miami is equally great year round. Blue and white marlins are most often caught from May to August, while fishing for barracuda, shark, dolphin (mahi-mahi), kingfish and sailfish is also fantastic all year. Yellowfin and blackfin tuna prefer the warmer months from March to September, as do most species of snapper. Groupers love the colder weather and fishing is fantastic in the winter months of November all the way through April. Inshore fishing for tarpon, amberjack and snook is great year round.
For those who prefer participating in sports over watching sports, Miami offers some of the most challenging golf courses in the world. With over 20 golf courses in the Greater Miami area, there is no shortage of awesome golfing opportunities. Miami has created an incredible artificial reef system by sinking over 30 ships, as well as airplanes, a water tower and other structures which draw an unprecedented number of marine species. Scuba and snorkeling among the wrecks off of Miami is a unique and fascinating underwater experience. Other popular water sports include windsurfing, kayaking, jet skiing, and sailing. The Miami area also offers some incredible eco-tours. Explore the mangroves of Biscayne Bay on a canoe tour, airboat through the world-famous Everglades National Park, or explore Big Cypress National Preserve on a hiking or wading tour. The wildlife of Miami and South Florida is as diverse and plentiful as the people. Hundreds of bird species, alligators, American crocodile, snakes, Florida panther and more in a breathtaking tropical wetlands backdrop make Miami a top destination for eco and nature touring. Miami’s deep water and inshore fishing is also world famous and definitely not to be outdone by all of the other wonderful attractions in this South Florida paradise.
Miami’s world famous beaches offer a little something for everyone. Miami’s diverse cultural community makes for some of the best people watching beaches in the world. Many beaches offer boardwalks or promenades, water sport equipment rentals, food and drink concessions, lifeguards, chair rentals, shower facilities, and more. Many celebrities call Miami home and celebrity sightings are known to happen both on the beaches and in Miami’s many fabulous nightclubs and restaurants. Miami also has some more secluded beaches perfect for a quiet afternoon getaway.
Miami’s nightlife is as hot as its weather. From the glitz and glam of South Beach’s bars and nightclubs loaded with the rich and famous who turn South Beach into a nightly see-and-be-seen event, to relaxed beachfront watering holes, comedy clubs, and bars offering the best in live music, entertainment, and friendly camaraderie, Miami at night is always an exciting and fun adventure. Miami is also well known as an arts and cultural center and offers top rated ballet, opera, theater, museums, and art galleries for a more sophisticated alternative to Miami’s red hot party scene.
Dining in Miami is truly world-class. The cultural melting pot of Miami brings a wealth of dining choices. Cuban and Latin food is very popular as well as Caribbean and its unique Florida cousin, Floribbean cuisine. The seafood in Miami is top rate. Whatever your tastes, style, or mood, there is an awesome Miami dining experience awaiting you. From casual beachside dining to the ultimate in swanky five star resort dining, Miami has it all. Miami International Airport is a major hub and flights to Miami are available from destinations all over the world on most major and regional airlines. Once in Miami, there are many transportation options available. Rental cars are a popular option for getting around. Miami also has some of the best modern public transportation available from the Metrorail, Metromover, Tri-rail, and Metrobus, to a large taxi fleet getting around Miami is quite easy to do. With so much to do and see, and some truly world-class inshore and deep water fishing Miami is a fishing vacation destination you will want to visit again and again.
Miami has incredible fishing. Whether you are interested in offshore deepwater, reef, or inshore fishing, Miami has it all. Offshore fishing in Miami offers opportunities to catch many big game species. Blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin fish (mahi-mahi), blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, king mackerel, great barracuda, cobia, shark, and swordfish are common catches offshore in Miami’s sparkling waters. Miami’s incredible reef system is a goldmine for an unbelievable number of species. Rockfish, red grouper, amberjack, gag, sea bass, vermillion, black fin snapper, red snapper, Cubera snapper, yellowtail, hogfish, triggerfish, Warsaw grouper, and more are commonly caught on the reefs of Miami. Inshore fishing is very popular for tarpon, mutton snapper, Spanish mackerel, juvenile yellowtail, barracuda, snook, and amberjack. The waters off of Miami’s shore are a true bounty of fish species and offer fishing opportunities for every angler.
Miami is a treasure trove of fantastic experiences. Glittering beaches, smokin’ hot nightlife, terrific water sports, world class golf, the best in spectator sports, sailing, swimming, windsurfing, scuba, snorkeling, and jet skiing in its sparkling waters and some of the most diverse and plentiful inshore, reef, and deep sea fishing in the world puts Miami at the top of the list for a fishing vacation destination you won’t want to miss!