5.0(1 Reviews)Biscayne Bay Inshore Fishing Adventures
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Worldclass sight fishing for bonefish, permit, and tarpon in Biscayne BayLight tackle and fly fishing from 18foot technical flats boatSmall group experience with maximum two guests per charter
Picture this: you're standing on the bow of an 18-foot technical flats boat, polarized sunglasses cutting through the glare as you scan the crystal-clear waters of Biscayne Bay. Your guide whispers, "Two o'clock, forty feet out," and there it is – the shadow of a trophy bonefish cruising the flats. This is sight fishing at its absolute finest, and Biscayne Bay delivers world-class opportunities that'll have you coming back season after season. Captain Martin C. brings decades of local knowledge to these waters, putting you on fish that most anglers only dream about catching.
Biscayne Bay isn't your typical fishing hole – it's a sight fishing paradise where you'll hunt trophy inshore species in water so clear you can spot them from 100 yards away. We're talking about stalking bonefish, permit, and tarpon in their natural habitat, plus redfish, snook, sharks, barracuda, and jacks that call these flats home. The experience is intimate with just two anglers max, giving you plenty of room to cast and the personal attention you deserve. Your captain knows every grass flat, oyster bar, and channel marker in these waters, positioning you for the best shots at fish feeding in skinny water. Between the technical challenges of sight fishing and the stunning backdrop of Miami's skyline, you'll understand why this spot draws anglers from around the globe. Lunch is provided, so you can focus entirely on what matters – making that perfect cast when the moment arrives.
This is pure sight fishing – no bottom fishing, no trolling, just you versus educated fish in gin-clear water using light tackle and flies. The 18-foot flats boat is specifically designed for this type of fishing, with a raised poling platform that gives your guide the vantage point needed to spot fish and position you for success. You'll fish with spinning gear loaded with 10 to 15-pound test or fly rods rigged with 8 to 10-weight lines, depending on your preference and skill level. The shallow draft lets us access water barely deep enough to float the boat, putting you in prime feeding areas where big fish feel safe. Wade fishing opportunities pop up throughout the day when conditions are right, giving you the chance to get even closer to your target. Stealth is everything out here – quiet movements, accurate casts, and the ability to read water become your most valuable tools as you hunt fish that can disappear at the first sign of danger.
"Very knowledgeable, very patient. Excellent time." - Wesley
Snook are the ultimate ambush predators in these waters, hanging around mangrove edges, docks, and structure where they can dart out to crush baitfish. These silver-sided beauties average 5 to 15 pounds but can push 30-plus when you find a real sow. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk, making them perfect targets for morning and evening sessions. What makes snook so addictive is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight in shallow water – they'll head straight for the nearest piling or mangrove root to cut you off.
Tarpon earn their nickname "silver king" for good reason, and Biscayne Bay holds some absolute giants that'll test every ounce of your tackle and stamina. These prehistoric fish can reach 6 feet and 150 pounds, with their signature gill-rattling jumps that'll have your heart pounding. Peak season runs from April through July when massive schools migrate through the bay, but resident fish provide action year-round. Hooking a tarpon on light tackle is like grabbing a lightning bolt – they'll clear the water repeatedly, shake their heads violently, and make blistering runs that can empty your reel in seconds.
Redfish cruise these flats in small schools or as solitary bruisers, their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots making them relatively easy to spot in clear water. They typically run 5 to 25 pounds and are notorious for their powerful runs once hooked. Fall months bring the best action as reds feed heavily before winter, often tailing in water so shallow their backs break the surface. These fish are perfectly built for shallow-water combat, using their broad tails and stocky bodies to bulldoze through grass beds and around structure.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing – incredibly spooky, selective feeders that will test your casting accuracy and presentation skills. These silver dinner plates with forked tails are notoriously difficult to fool, often inspecting baits for minutes before either eating or spoooking. They average 8 to 20 pounds but can reach 40-plus, and their sickle-shaped tails give them incredible speed and power. Spring through fall offers the best opportunities, with permit often found around crab flats and coral heads where they root for crustaceans.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats, their silver-chrome sides making them nearly invisible until they're directly over dark bottom. These fish typically run 3 to 8 pounds but can reach double digits, and they're famous for their blistering initial runs when hooked. Biscayne Bay holds world-class bonefish populations that feed on incoming tides across turtle grass beds and sandy flats. What makes bones special is their wariness – they spook at shadows, vibrations, and poor presentations, making each fish you hook a real achievement. Their speed is legendary, capable of peeling off 100 yards of line in seconds when they decide to leave the area.
Biscayne Bay represents the pinnacle of sight fishing, combining world-class fish populations with crystal-
This 18-foot technical flats boat is built for serious sight fishing in Biscayne Bay's shallow waters. The wireless trolling motor keeps you moving silently through the flats without spooking trophy bonefish, permit, or tarpon cruising the shallows. The GPS and fish finder help locate productive spots and mark structure where snook and redfish hang out. An ice box keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during long days on the water. With room for two anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work light tackle and flies while targeting world-class species. The shallow draft design gets you into skinny water where the big fish feed, and the stable platform gives you a steady casting deck when you spot that permit tailing in knee-deep water. Perfect for both experienced sight fishermen and those new to flats fishing.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the perfect starter fish for flats fishing - silvery "ghosts" that average 3-8 pounds and cruise grass flats in just inches of water. Year-round fishing here, but spring tides bring the best tailing action when they're digging for crabs and shrimp. What's addictive is the sight fishing challenge and their blistering runs - a 6-pound bone can strip 100 yards of line in seconds. They're bony and rarely kept, but the sport is pure. Watch for nervous water, tails, or shadows moving across the flats. Key tip: when casting to tailing fish, aim for the mud cloud they're making, not the tail itself. Strip your shrimp pattern slowly through the mud and hang on tight.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - incredibly spooky with golf ball-sized eyes that see everything. These disc-shaped fish average 15-25 pounds and cruise sand flats and turtle grass in 2-6 feet of water. April through October is prime time when they're spawning. What drives anglers crazy is their intelligence - they'll inspect your bait for minutes before deciding. The payoff is an intense fight with long, powerful runs that'll test your backing. Most anglers never eat them, focusing on the challenge instead. The trick is using small blue crabs or crab flies, making a perfect presentation 10-15 feet ahead of cruising fish. Move that bait even slightly when they're looking and they're gone forever.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are sight fishing gold on shallow flats, usually found in 1-3 feet of water around grass beds and oyster bars. Most fish run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, with their signature black spot near the tail. They're year-round residents but fish best during cooler months when they school up tight. What makes reds special is watching them "tail" while feeding - their copper-colored backs and tails sticking out of shallow water. They fight hard with powerful runs and are fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: when you spot tailing fish, cast your shrimp or crab imitation well ahead of where they're moving. Let it sit motionless until they're close, then give it just a slight twitch.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are ambush predators that love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in shallow water. Most run 18-28 inches, but trophy fish over 35 inches prowl these waters. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight for cover when hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the key: cast live shrimp or pinfish tight to structure and be ready for that initial surge. Keep your drag loose because they'll wrap you up in mangroves faster than you can blink.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king averages 80-120 pounds in Biscayne Bay, though giants over 150 pounds show up regularly. These prehistoric fish cruise shallow flats and deeper channels, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Peak season runs May through September when they're here to spawn. What hooks anglers is the aerial show - tarpon jump repeatedly, sometimes 8-10 feet out of the water, shaking their heads to throw the hook. They're purely catch-and-release due to their bony meat and conservation status. The secret is keeping your rod tip down during jumps - "bow to the king" as we say. When they go airborne, give them slack or they'll snap your line on the landing. Expect fights lasting 30 minutes or more on lighter tackle.
5.0 out of 5.0Very knowledgeable, very patient. Excellent time.
Key Biscayne, FL