Key Biscayne Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure in Key Biscayne watersExpert local captains guide small groups of two guestsMorning departure at 8am maximizes prime fishing conditions
Picture yourself casting lines in some of the clearest, most productive waters South Florida has to offer. Key Biscayne sits right at the edge of Biscayne Bay, where grass flats meet deeper channels and world-class fishing happens every single day. This 4-hour morning charter puts you right in the sweet spot – starting at 8 am when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. You'll be working with captains who've been fishing these flats for decades, guys who know exactly where the snook are holding and can spot tailing redfish from a quarter-mile away. With space for just two anglers, this isn't some crowded party boat situation. You get personalized attention, premium gear, and access to spots that bigger operations simply can't reach.
Your morning starts at the marina while the sun's still low, painting the water that perfect golden color that gets every angler's heart pumping. The boat's a shallow-draft skiff designed specifically for these flats – quiet, stable, and able to get into water so skinny you could almost wade it. Your captain will have the rods rigged and ready, but don't worry if you're new to this game. These guys love teaching as much as they love fishing, and they'll have you casting like a pro within the first hour. The first part of your trip usually focuses on the grass flats where sea trout and redfish cruise the shallows. You'll be sight-fishing most of the time, which means actually watching your target before you cast. There's nothing quite like seeing a 30-inch red drum tailing in two feet of water and dropping your bait right in front of its nose. The adrenaline rush never gets old, whether it's your first time or your hundredth.
All your tackle comes included – spinning reels loaded with braid, medium-action rods that can handle everything from 14-inch trout to heavyweight permit, and a tackle box full of proven local favorites. Live shrimp is the go-to bait around here, but your captain will also have cut bait, jigs, and topwater plugs depending on what's working that day. You'll learn the art of the quiet approach, how to read water color and current breaks, and why that seemingly empty patch of grass actually holds fish. Fly fishing gear is available if you want to step up your game – there's nothing like hooking a bonefish on a 7-weight in knee-deep water. Your captain will position the boat using a push pole when stealth matters, keeping engine noise to a minimum so you don't spook wary fish. The trolling motor gets a workout too, especially when working the deeper edges where snook ambush baitfish.
Snook are the kings around Key Biscayne, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove edges, channel markers – anywhere they can hide and blast unsuspecting prey. They fight like freight trains, making blistering runs and trying to wrap your line around anything they can find. Fall and spring are prime time, but honestly, there's never a bad time to target snook in these waters. Most fish run between 20 and 28 inches, though slot busters over 35 inches show up regularly enough to keep things interesting.
Sea trout might not have the glamour of snook, but they're willing biters and absolutely delicious. These spotted beauties cruise the grass flats in schools, and when you find them, you can often catch a dozen or more before they wise up and move on. They hit live shrimp like they haven't eaten in weeks, and topwater action in the early morning can be absolutely ridiculous. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when water temperatures drop and the fish stack up in deeper holes.
Redfish are the bronze bulldogs of the flats, and Key Biscayne has some real tanks. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water and aren't particularly line-shy, making them perfect for newer anglers. Watch for their distinctive black spots and that telltale bronze flash when they turn on your bait. They're year-round residents, but late summer and early fall bring the best action when they school up in massive numbers. A 25-inch red on light tackle will test your drag and your patience in the best possible way.
Permit are the holy grail for many flats fishermen, and the waters around Key Biscayne hold some absolute giants. These disk-shaped speedsters are notoriously spooky and incredibly picky about what they eat, but when you hook one, you'll understand why people obsess over them. They're primarily a sight-fishing target, cruising the edges of channels and coral patches. Spring and summer offer the best shots, especially on calm, bright days when you can spot them from a distance. Most local permit run between 15 and 25 pounds, with the occasional 30-plus-pound monster that will have you talking about it for years.
Bonefish round out this world-class lineup, bringing speed and wariness that challenges even experienced anglers. These silver ghosts of the flats are incredibly spooky – one wrong move and they're gone in a puff of mud. But when everything comes together and you hook one in shallow water, the runs are absolutely electric. They prefer the cleaner sand and coral areas rather than heavy grass, often found tailing in water so shallow their backs are out. Winter and spring bring the most consistent action, though dedicated guides find them year-round.
Key Biscayne fishing delivers exactly what every angler dreams about – clear water, hungry fish, and guides who know how to put you on them consistently. This 4-hour window gives you enough time to hit multiple spots without feeling rushed, and starting at 8 am means you're fishing during prime feeding times
This restored 2009 Maverick 17-footer is built for serious inshore fishing around Key Biscayne's flats and channels. The 90HP Yamaha gets you to the fish fast, cruising at 35 knots to beat other boats to prime spots. Perfect for 2 anglers who want room to cast without crowding each other. The GPS keeps you on productive waters while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. Whether you're sight fishing for tarpon in the shallows or working structure for snook and redfish, this skiff handles like a dream in skinny water. The 2020 restoration means everything runs smooth, so you spend more time with lines in the water instead of dealing with boat problems.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "gray ghosts" of the flats and probably the most challenging fish we target around Key Biscayne. These silvery torpedoes typically measure 16-24 inches and weigh 4-8 pounds, but don't let the size fool you - they're lightning fast. You'll find them on shallow sand and grass flats in 6 inches to 3 feet of water, especially during incoming tides when they move up to feed. They're here year-round, but spring through fall offers the best conditions. What makes bonefish legendary is their blazing speed - they'll rip 100 yards of line in seconds once hooked. It's pure adrenaline. Most anglers release them since they're bony and better left to fight another day. My local tip: look for "tailing" fish feeding head-down with their tails breaking the surface. Cast a small shrimp or crab pattern 8-10 feet ahead and strip it slowly across their path.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - smart, spooky, and absolutely worth the challenge. These diamond-shaped fish typically run 15-25 pounds around our waters, with some real trophies pushing 40+. You'll spot them on sand flats and turtle grass beds in 2-6 feet, often "mudding" as they root for crabs. April through October gives you the best shots, especially during spawning season when they're more aggressive. What makes permit so special is their incredible eyesight and wariness - they can see a poorly placed cast from 50 feet away. But when you hook one, get ready for a freight train run that'll test everything. They're spectacular fighters and a true trophy catch. Here's the key: live blue crabs are your best bet, but present them gently at least 10 feet ahead of a cruising fish. Any closer and they'll spook instantly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down one of the most fun fish you'll encounter in our shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches around Key Biscayne, with that telltale black spot near the tail. They cruise the flats in just 1-4 feet of water, often so shallow their backs are exposed - we call it "tailing." Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats, especially during moving tides. They bite year-round, but spring and fall are prime time when they're most aggressive. What makes redfish special is their bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and make powerful runs even in skinny water. They're also excellent eating when kept in the slot. Here's my local secret: when you see them tailing in super shallow water, cast your spoon or soft plastic well ahead of where they're moving and work it slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are a staple around Key Biscayne's grass flats and one of the most reliable fish we target. Most run 14-18 inches, though we see some chunky 3-4 pounders that'll surprise you. These speckled beauties love shallow grass beds in 2-8 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and sandy potholes. They're active year-round here, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. Cooler months see them schooled up in deeper channels. What guests love about trout is they're willing biters - great for kids and beginners - but still put up a solid fight. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork near grass edges right at first light. The sound draws them in from a distance, and that slow fall drives them crazy.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of South Florida's most sought-after gamefish, and for good reason. These sleek predators typically run 18-28 inches around Key Biscayne, with that distinctive black lateral line making them easy to spot. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in shallow water, usually 2-6 feet deep. They love structure and ambush points where they can surprise baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - they'll test your drag for sure. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky when cooked right. Here's a local tip: cast your live shrimp or snook jig just upcurrent from structure and let it drift naturally past their hiding spot. They can't resist that presentation.
Miami