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Miami/Miami Beach, Florida Fishing

An abundance of water, over 40 charted wrecks just off the coastline, and numerous natural and artificial reefs bring plenty of Miami, Florida fishing opportunities.  Inshore you'll find bluefish, ladyfish, mackeral, snook, tarpon, sailfish, grouper, snapper, permit, mullet, and more. Along the reefs, wrecks and dredgeholes, you'll find kingfish, wahoo, sailfish, grouper, snapper, cobia, sharks, bonita, pelagic, amberjack, African pompano, and others.  And offshore Miami, Florida fishing boasts dolphin, swordfish, sailfish, cobia, tuna, and sharks.

So close to the Gulf Stream, a strong north-bound current of several knots is not uncommon even close to shore over the reefs in the Miami, Florida fishing grounds. To relay how much current there is on a given day, local bottom fishermen talk about the pounds of weight needed to hold a bait on the bottom. One pound equates to very little current, while four pounds means the current is ripping.

The Miami sea buoy is a hub of offshore action. The red-and-white buoy sits in 120 feet of water at the end of Government Cut, the international shipping channel leading into Biscayne Bay.  Kingfish schools are found usually in 80 to 90 feet of water, as well as in deeper water right off the buoy.  Sailfish, dolphin, cobia and tunas generally hang out around the green/dark blue color change that forms when northbound Gulf

Stream current enters near the buoy.  Why?  The movement of water through the Cut carries with it a great deal of forage -- shrimp, pilchards, herrings and various other marine creatures flush out of Biscayne Bay.  If you plan to fish close to the sea buoy, be aware of the heavy shipping traffic at the mouth of Government Cut.

To the north and south of the sea buoy are county artificial reef sites with loads of fishing possibilities. The Key Biscayne artificial reef site is about three miles south, with shallow reefs such as the Lakeland (135 feet, lat. 25-42.073'; long. 80-05.004') and deep drops like the Dry Dock (235 feet, 25-43.172'; 80-04.581') and Billy Goat (185 feet, 25-42.343'; 80-04.788'). North of the sea buoy is the Pflueger site, with the Deep Freeze (135 feet, 25-49.303'; 80-04.951'), the Lotus (218 feet, 25-50.957'; 80-04.647'), the Tortuga (110 feet, 25-49.243'; 80-05.090') and others. For more information, call the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management at 305.372.6881 or 305.372.6699, or visit the agency's artificial reefs Web site link at:

www.floridasportsman.com or

www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/derm/reefs and the

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Web

site www.floridaconservation.org.

A couple of the more popular wrecks in the Miami, Florida fishing area are the Andro and Deep Freeze. Andro is a 165-foot vessel that sunk in 1985 and now sits in just over 100 feet of water.  One of Miami, Florida's oldest, the Deep Freeze is a giant 210-foot freighter in 135 feet of water.  The most recent addition to the artificial reef list took place in 2003, when the 165-foot freighter Dema was sunk by the county in 80 feet of water about three miles east of Key Biscayne. When fishing wrecks, your anchoring position largely determines the makeup of your catch. Grouper hold close to a wreck, but mutton snapper will tend to be slightly off the wreck. Amberjack and African pompano tend to sit slightly above the wreck.

The dredge holes (holes in the sea floor generated from beach replenishment projects) off Miami, Florida's fishing coastline are pinched between the parallel north-south natural reeflines, and hence indicate transitional structure—always attractive to some fish or another. These areas have proven worthy of exploration especially in 100 to 300 feet of water where drifting live baits can bring in kings, mackeral, sails, dolphin and other bluewater species.

BAITFISH

Fall and winter are prime for finding live baits in and around Miami, Florida fishing inlets. Government Cut, a short jaunt from most public boat launches, is by far most consistent. You can catch a variety of baitfish at the pair of range markers on the south side of the Government Cut. Anchor upcurrent, or power drift, and put out a block of chum in a meshbag. Drop a sabiki rig and you'll catch anything from threadfin herring to goggle-eyes.  In addition, many canals along the Intracoastal Waterway have schools of mullet which you can cast-net with ease. Other baits can be caught in about 20 to 25 feet of water north of the jetty rocks at Wayne's World.

For all other Miami, Florida fishing and boating questions, contact 305.956.2500.

Be sure to check out Miami/Miami Beach, Florida vacation rentals by owner houses, villas and condos for luxurious, yet affordable accomodations - many times less than the cost of a cramped, stuffy, less-than-clean hotel room.

MIAMI/MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA FISHING CHARTERS:

A FLORIBBEAN WATER EXPERIENCE
Floribbean Hospitality Group
3239 Trade Avenue
Suite 9
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
Miami, Florida fishing
305.445.8456

Select from 55' to 112' yachts for groups of 10 to 450 passengers, with full service. Excellent corporate - convention on the water experience.
 
A WATER FANTASEAS
305-933-4299 / Miami
info@waterfantaseas.com

A Water Fantaseas, Inc. is a premier luxury yacht charter company in South Florida, including the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas, with convenient boarding locations such as Miami Beach, South Beach, Coconut Grove, Aventura, Key Biscayne, Bahia Mar, Marriott Portside Marina and more.  We specialize in corporate charters as well as private yacht charter vacations, and we have developed one of the most extensive selections of private vessels in South Florida.

ACE BLUE WATERS FISHING
Bayside Marketplace
Pier 5, Slip 14 
Miami, Florida  33132
Miami, Florida fishing
305.373.5016
Captain John Barker
fishlady114@cs.com

Captain John Barker has been fishing the local and Bahamian waters for over thirty years, and will guide you to sailfish, dolphin, marlin, shark, tuna and more in the waters of Key Biscayne. The 45' Hatteras Blue Waters II is located at Bayside Marketplace and Marina, 5 minutes from South Beach. 

ACTION CHARTERS, INC.
Bayside Marketplace Marina
401 Biscayne Boulevard
Pier 5, Slip 11
Miami, Florida  33132
Miami, Florida fishing
305.361.2131
www.actioncharters.com
 
Experience the thrill of a deep-sea fishing charter in Miami aboard our 46-foot Bertram Sportfisher. Fully loaded with radar devices, live well, outriggers, air conditioning, bathrooms, galley, sleeping quarters and a living area with an entertainment center. Full & Half day charters for up to six.

ADMIRALTY INTERNATIONAL YACHT CHARTERS
1717 North Bayshore Drive
Suite 3638
Miami, Florida 33132
Miami, Florida fishing
305.381.9585
bradovka@mindspring.com

We offer bareboat and crewed charters on yachts ranging from 30' to 150', corporate and family events, deep sea fishing, sight seeing, sailing trips and much more.

ALLIED YACHT CHARTERS INC.
1900 Sunset Dr # 1609
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.672.9899

ANOTHER REWARD FISHING FLEET
1270 5th St
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.372.9470

ATLANTIC YACHT COMPANY
Miami, Florida fishing
305.903.4484

If it's deep sea fishing you're interested in, our new fleet of bareboats and crewed charter yachts gives you a great selection for your next Miami, Florida fishing vacation.  For over 25 years, our family owned and operated business has specialized in the charter of luxury and performance cruisers from 37' to over 150'.

AWOL FISHING CHARTERS
Miami, Florida fishing
954.565.2457 (Home)
954.383.0145  (Boat)
CaptBall@awolfishingguide.com

Captain Carl Ball has been fishing South Florida his entire life, from the Florida Keys to Cape Canaveral, and from the Bahamas to other parts of the Caribbean. His passion is in backcountry fishing and the hunt for bonefish, permit and tarpon (just to name a few) on the flats of Miami's Biscayne National Park and the waterways of Fort Lauderdale.  Both fly fisherman and bait fisherman are welcome aboard the 18' Hewes Redfisher. 

BEACH BOAT RENTALS INC.
2400 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Miami, Florida fishing
305.534.4307

BERLIN BAR
661 Wahington Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.674.9300

BOAT MIAMI
12555 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 490
Miami, Florida  33181
Miami, Florida fishing
305.354.9013
www.boatmiami.com

BOUNCER'S DUSKY
16850-112 Collins Avenue #291
Sunny Isles, Florida 33160
Miami, Florida fishing
305.945.5114
fishing@captbouncer.com,

Captain Bouncer Smith is experienced in every aspect of the sport of fishing, is a champion and place-finisher of many fishing tournaments, and is one of Miami's most famous fishing captains.  Bouncer's Dusky is a modern 33 foot Dusky with a crew of two and carries up to 4 passengers.  The boat, with twin Mercury Optimax 225s outboards, is tournament-ready with enough Penn tackle to stock a large tackle shop. On board are 20lb outfits, 12lb outfits, 8lb, 30lb and limited 50lb equipment. There are a couple of fly outfits everyday and a full supply of heavy tackle rigged and ready on short notice for big game fish.
 
CAREFREE LUXURY RENTALS
1301 Alton Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.534.3531

CLUB NAUTICO
300 Alton Road # 112
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.673.2502

CAPTAIN JIM WEBER
800.982.3110
Miami, Florida fishing
954.725.9662

Captain Jim Weber is a Miami native and has been fishing the area for more than 30 years. Spend a day aboard the 16' Silverking flats skiff fishing the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay, Flamingo and the Florida Keys for tarpon, bonefish, permit and more. Light tackle and fly fishing is his specialty.

CAPTAIN KEVIN KATES
954.725.9662
Miami, Florida fishing
www.catch-fish.com

Cruise with the Intrinsic Value, a 2000 31' Contender with a reputation as a proven tournament winner. We catch Sailfish, Swordfish, White Marlin, Tuna, Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish, Tarpon, Grouper, and Snapper.
 
CAUGHT LOOKIN CHARTERS
7900 NW 174 Terrace
Miami, Florida 33015
Miami, Florida fishing
305.362.6460 (H)
305.333.8149 (C)
Captain Jim Hobales @ most3530@aol.com
  
Captain Jim Hobales was born and raised in South Florida, developing his fishing talents in Miami's Biscayne Bay to the Everglades.  Captain Jim earned the title of Master Angler coming up through the ranks of the Miami Sport Fishing Club, a club that is rich in history, tradition and a leader in conservation in South Florida. Being a competitive angler he has competed in tournaments winning several events over the last ten years.

Captain Jim is an Everglades National Park permitted guide and a Met registered guide, the largest free tournament in the world. As a past winner he knows how to target the species it takes to win. The Captain has fished on the professional Redfish Tour since 2001 for team McDonalds, he also has guided in the Redbone trilogy in the Florida keys since 2002.

CAPTAIN JOE'S BOAT RENTAL TOUR
4525 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Miami, Florida fishing
305.218.2249

CHRISTI SPORT FISHING
300 Alton Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.534.5767

FIGHTING LADY, INC.
786.553.1311 (Boat)
305.859.8035 (Home)
Miami, Florida fishing
Captain Bart Sherwood

The Fighting Lady is a world famous 43' Merritt run by Captain Bart Sherwood. She is tournament ready with the finest of tackle and fish finding electronics. Captain Bart has been successfully charter fishing and capturing giant trophies for 25 years, specializing in swordfish, sailfish, mahi mahi, big bottom dwelling wreck predators, kingfish and wahoo. Available also for giant bluefin tuna May thru June, Bimini, Bahamas; July thru October for blue marlin on the North Drop St. Thomas USVI.

FISHER ISLAND HOLDINGS MARINA
1 Fisher Island Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33109
Miami, Florida fishing and marinas
305.535.6000

FLAMINGO LODGE IN EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
1 Flamingo Lodge Hwy.
Everglades National Park, SR9336
Flamingo, FL 33034
Greater Miami, Florida fishing
239.695.3101
www.flamingolodge.com 

Located on Florida Bay in the heart of Everglades National Park, this full-service marina, restaurant and lodge offers narrated sightseeing cruises, canoe and houseboat rentals, fishing charters, and skiffs with motors.
 
FLORIDA YACHT CHARTERS & SALES
1290 5th Street
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.532.8600

FREE SPOOL SPORTFISHING CHARTERS
Miami, Florida fishing
305.947.8844
Captain Dennis Forgione

Come fish aboard a 32' custom built fishing machine.  Captain Dennis Forgione is a full-time professional guide and a second generation charter captain in the North Miami, Florida fishing area.  He has over 18 years experience in the charter fishing business in Haulover Inlet and the Bahamas, and has guided anglers to over 20 WORLD RECORDS!

GO NATIVE YACHT CHARTERS
1900 Sunset Harbour Drive # 5
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.534.5522

HAULOVER MARINE CENTER
10800 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33154
Miami, Florida fishing and marina
305.947.3525

HELEN C SPORTFISHING
Head and Tail Charters
Haulover Park Marina
10800 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach,  Florida 33154
Miami, Florida fishing
305.947.4081

We're located ten minutes from Miami, Florida's fishing grounds.

ISLAND HOP INC.
PO Box 402054
Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Miami, Florida fishing
305.673.3225

LAZULI ENTERPRISES
300 Alton Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.535.7326

MASITA FISHING AND BOATING CHARTERS
18500 S.W. 43rd Street
Miramar, FL 33029
Miami, Florida fishing
305.332.9963
954.562-0747 (C)
Captain Carlos Mendez

Masita was voted "Miami's Most Complete Charter Company."  Legendary Captain Carlos Mendez is a licensed captain with the US Coast Guard and will lead you to world-class Miami, Florida fishing for sailfish, dolphin, sharks and more just 3 miles offshore. Masita has an extremely clean fleet of yachts, all equipped with AC.

MIAMI BEACH MARINA
300 Alton Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing and marina
305.673.6000

MIAMI BEACH SAILING INC.
135 Ocean Drive # 202
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.532.7245

MIAMI BEACH SPORT FISHING
300 Alton Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.531.4223

OLD HAT CHARTERS
Miami, Florida fishing
305.773.0700
305.891.7780
Captain Paul Lee

The "Old Hat" is a custom 41' Hatteras sportfishing yacht, tournament rigged and ready to take you deep sea fishing.  We're located at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Florida. We cruise the Fort Lauderdale to Miami, Florida fishing grounds.

POWERBOAT CHARTERS
90 Alta Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.532.7223

PRIME TIME CHARTERS
Miami, Florida fishing
305.919.8495 (H)
305.409.3089 (C)
Captain Jack Cayre
jcayre@bellsouth.net

The crew of Prime Time Charters, led by Captain Jack Cayre, are proven winners when it comes to monster tournament fishing in the Miami, Florida fishing waters. Try your hand at kite fishing with live bait, trolling, or wreck fishing off the fully rigged '97 Intrepid 26'. You'll catch dolphin, tarpon, kingfish, tuna, sailfish, barracuda, marlin, sharks, grouper, snook, snapper, wahoo, amberjack, swordfish, and more.
 
PROFESSIONAL MARINA MANAGEMENT
300 Alton Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing and marina
305.531.0854

REWARD FISHING FLEET
1270 5th Street
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.535.5695
305.372.9470
www.fishingmiami.com

Deep-sea fishing aboard 60' or 70' U.S. Coast Guard-approved fishing yachts.

SEACROSS SPORT FISHING
Miami, Florida fishing
305.773.2282
305.965.8155
Captain Rafael Mayans
SeacrossFishing@aol.com

Come deep-sea fish aboard the Seacross, a brand-new air-conditioned 34' Hatteras Yacht, conveniently located just minutes from Miami's South Beach. Seacross will equip you for the best fishing experience of a lifetime in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, The Keys and The Bahamas.

SISSY BABY SPORTFISHING
390 Alton Road
Box 5
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.531.4223
www.sissybaby.com
 
Sissy Baby offers year-round sport fishing aboard a 45' Hatteras, specializing in live bait, kite fishing and light tackle.

SUNSET HARBOUR MARINA
1928 Purdy Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.673.0044

THERAPY-IV CHARTER FISHING YACHT
Haulover Park
10800 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33154
Miami, Florida fishing
305.945.1578
www.therapy4.com 

TOM COLLINS YACHTS WORLDWIDE
400 S Hibiscus Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami, Florida fishing
305.673.5400