Find a Fishing Buddy in Miami
Florida
Miami's fishing reads like a bucket list. Biscayne Bay inside, Government Cut at the inlet, and the Gulf Stream just a few miles offshore — you can chase bonefish and tarpon on the flats in the morning, then run out for sailfish, mahi, and tuna in the afternoon. The flats fishing in Biscayne Bay rivals the Keys for permit and bonefish, and the urban inshore fishery (snook, jacks, baby tarpon) puts trophy fish within an Uber of downtown. MyFishingBuds connects Miami-area anglers so you can find a partner for the offshore Mahi run, share a flats skiff in Biscayne, or fish the bridges and seawalls at night for snook and tarpon.
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When to fish Miami
Miami fishes year-round but the offshore calendar is what most anglers come for: sailfish peak December-March (the cold-front bite), Mahi run May-July, and blackfin tuna are catchable all year on the humps and offshore wrecks. Tarpon migrate through Biscayne Bay April-July and stage at Government Cut. Bonefish and permit are most catchable in the warm months (April-October) on the Biscayne flats. Snook stay open most of the year (closed December 15-January 31 in the Atlantic) and the urban canals fish best in the cool months when fish push into deeper, warmer water.
Top species
- 🎣 Tarpon
- 🎣 Bonefish
- 🎣 Permit
- 🎣 Sailfish
- 🎣 Mahi-Mahi
- 🎣 Snook
Where to fish
- 📍 Biscayne Bay
- 📍 Government Cut
- 📍 Stiltsville flats
- 📍 Haulover Inlet
- 📍 Offshore Gulf Stream
Local tips for Miami
Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne is the best launch for Biscayne Bay flats and a short run to Stiltsville and the offshore reef. Haulover Inlet in North Miami Beach has the closest access to deep water (the Gulf Stream is barely 3 miles out). For shore fishing, South Pointe Park at the mouth of Government Cut gets snook, tarpon, and jacks. The Miami River and the canals through downtown hold tarpon, snook, and peacock bass (a Florida exotic) and are productive at night. If you're new to offshore, share a charter with a partner first — Gulf Stream trolling is gear-heavy and expensive solo.
🪪 Florida fishing license
Anglers fishing in Miami need a valid Florida fishing license. Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our complete state-by-state guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.
See Florida license prices →Miami fishing FAQ
What kind of fish can I catch in Miami?▾
Inshore: bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, redfish, jacks, and snapper. Offshore: sailfish (peak winter), mahi-mahi (peak summer), tuna, wahoo, and kingfish. The urban Miami River and canals also produce peacock bass — a Florida exotic only available in this part of the state.
When is the best month for sailfishing in Miami?▾
Late December through early March, when cold fronts push sailfish down the coast and stack them on the reef edge. The 'cold-front bite' is when Miami's offshore charter fleet earns its reputation — peak action is 30-100 ft of water off Government Cut and Haulover.
Where can I catch peacock bass in Miami?▾
The freshwater canals through Miami-Dade County (especially Tamiami canal, Snapper Creek, and the urban lakes off Kendall Drive) hold peacock bass. They were introduced in the 1980s to control invasive tilapia and are now a self-sustaining fishery — and Florida only allows them in this part of the state. Topwaters early and live shiners are the standard methods.
Do I need a boat to fish in Miami?▾
No. Government Cut at South Pointe Park, the Haulover Inlet jetties, the Rickenbacker Causeway, and the freshwater canals all fish well from shore. The Anglins Pier in Sunny Isles is the closest pier and produces snook, tarpon, mackerel, and snapper.
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