Miami-Area Fishing Report: What’s Biting This Week?
The waters off South Florida are heating up, and so is the fishing action! Whether you're dropping lines offshore, fishing the backcountry, or exploring inshore waters, there’s plenty to catch right now. Here’s the latest fishing report for Miami and beyond.
Offshore Fishing
Captain Wayne Conn of the Reward Fishing Fleet out of Miami Beach Marina reports limit catches of yellowtail snapper, along with steady action on mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, and lane snapper. The bite has been strong during night trips offshore of Government Cut, with cut bait fished over reefs proving most effective.
Daytime offshore trips are producing a mixed bag of kingfish, cobia, groupers, and vermillion snapper. Anglers targeting dolphin (mahi-mahi) are finding them in waters ranging from 200 to 950 feet, especially under birds and along weed lines. Closer to the reef, dolphins are actively feeding on ballyhoo but remain tricky to hook.
Biscayne Bay & Inshore
Captain Alan Sherman of Get Em Sportfishing Charters reports excellent sea trout action in Biscayne Bay. Anglers are also catching jack crevalle, barracudas, and snook using live bait under a Cajun Thunder float or soft plastics like Gulp shrimp on 1/4 oz jig heads. Bluefish and large ladyfish have been mixed in with the jacks, keeping the action exciting.
Florida Keys
In Islamorada, Captain Rick Rodriguez of Sea Horse Deep Sea Sport Fishing reports a fantastic offshore bite around the Humps, where anglers are hooking into blackfin tuna and dolphins (mahi-mahi) on the surface, with yelloweye snapper biting on the bottom.
Further south in Marathon, Captain Chris Johnson of SeaSquared Charters notes excellent reef fishing for yellowtail and mutton snapper, with anglers finding success using live and cut bait.
Treasure Coast & Indian River Lagoon
The Sebastian Inlet is hot right now! Anglers are landing oversized redfish, snook, jacks, and Spanish mackerel, with plenty of bait in the area drawing in predators. Offshore, dolphins and wahoo are making a strong showing.
Captain Tom Van Horn of Mosquito Coast Charters reports large redfish and plentiful sea trout in the Indian River Lagoon. Most fish are feeding on finger mullet, though mullet schools are starting to thin out.
Everglades & Southwest Florida
Captain Mike Hutchisson of Flats to Fathoms Charters reports massive schools of baitfish along the coast from East Cape Canal to Shark River. This has triggered a feeding frenzy among snook, redfish, tarpon, jacks, ladyfish, and Spanish mackerel. Live bait and artificial lures are both producing solid catches.
In Fort Myers, Captain Jon Fetter of Catching the Cure Backcountry Fishing Charters reports a strong redfish bite, with fish hitting shrimp-tipped jigs and live shrimp under a float near mangroves and oyster bars. Sea trout are making their way back to the grass flats as water temperatures cool down.
Freshwater Action
Peacock bass fishing is on fire in Miami’s canal systems! Alan Zaremba of World Wide Peacock Bass Charters has been working the C-8, L-35A, and G-15 canals, where anglers are catching peacock bass, largemouth bass, snakeheads, and Mayan cichlids. Topwater lures like Baby Torpedoes, Rapala X-Raps, and Chug Bugs are triggering aggressive strikes.
Final Thoughts
With prime conditions across South Florida, now is the perfect time to hit the water. Whether you’re targeting trophy offshore species or enjoying the thrill of inshore and freshwater fishing, there’s plenty of action to be had. Tight lines and good luck out there!
Want more Miami fishing updates? Stay tuned to our blog for the latest reports, tips, and tackle recommendations!