5.0(4 Reviews)Half Day Morning Fishing in Key Biscayne
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning fishing adventure in Key Biscayne watersTarget Tarpon, Snook, and Snapper on inshore fishing groundsAll equipment provided with expert guidance from local charter
Captain Anthony's half-day morning charter puts you right in the heart of Miami's best fishing grounds, where Key Biscayne's crystal-clear waters hold some of South Florida's most sought-after gamefish. This 4-hour adventure gives you the choice between hitting the deep blue for offshore action or working the productive inshore flats and structure. Whether you're chasing your first tarpon or looking to add another mahi to your count, this trip delivers consistent results with a captain who knows exactly where the fish are holding.
Your morning starts early when the fish are most active and the water is still calm from the overnight cool-down. Captain Anthony runs a well-maintained charter boat that handles both inshore and offshore conditions with ease. The 3-guest capacity means you'll get personalized attention and plenty of room to fight fish without crowding. You'll decide on your target species based on current conditions – maybe it's time to try for tarpon around the bridges and flats, or perhaps the offshore bite is hot for mahi and kings. All tackle, bait, and gear come included, from spinning reels for inshore work to heavier offshore setups for the big pelagics. The captain provides everything from circle hooks to live pilchards, so you can focus on the fishing instead of rigging lines.
Inshore fishing around Key Biscayne means working structure like bridge pilings, grass flats, and rocky ledges where fish ambush baitfish. You'll use a mix of live bait fishing with pilchards or shrimp, and artificial lures like jigs and soft plastics when the fish are aggressive. For tarpon, expect to fish with circle hooks and heavy leaders since these silver kings can reach over 100 pounds. Offshore tactics shift to trolling spreads with ballyhoo, diving plugs, and spinner baits to cover water and locate schools of mahi, tuna, and kings. When you mark fish on the sounder, you'll switch to live bait or vertical jigging to get them fired up. Captain Anthony adjusts techniques throughout the trip based on what's working – sometimes that means switching from trolling to drift fishing, or moving from deep water to shallow flats when the bite changes.
"Anthony is fantastic and made it a great experience from the start. Right after booking he called to ask what we were looking to target, talk about options and ideas - excellent hospitality. His communication in the days leading up to our trip was phenomenal as well. I've never seen a captain work so hard to put us in fish!!! Would use him again in 2 seconds!" - Andrew
"I recently enjoyed an incredible half-day offshore fishing trip in Miami with a knowledgeable and friendly captain who made the experience even better. The boat was well-kept and provided a smooth, comfortable ride. We had a successful day on the water, reeling in mahi-mahi, yellowtail snapper, Bonita, and mackerel. The captain's expertise ensured we stayed on the fish, making the most of our time. With perfect weather and calm waters, the trip was an absolute pleasure. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned angler, this is a fantastic way to enjoy Miami's beautiful waters!" - A
"We really appreciated how Captain Anthony customized the trip to make it more interactive, allowing us to be more involved in the fishing process rather than just reeling in after a fish was already hooked." - Matthew
Tarpon are the silver kings of South Florida, and Key Biscayne's bridges and channels hold resident fish year-round, with the best action from March through August. These prehistoric fighters can reach 150 pounds and are famous for their aerial displays – expect multiple jumps and long runs that'll test your drag system. Tarpon are catch-and-release only, but landing one is a bucket-list achievement that'll have you coming back for more. They feed aggressively on live pilchards, crabs, and mullet around structure during moving tides.
King Mackerel patrol the offshore waters and reef edges, typically running 10-30 pounds with occasional smoker kings pushing 40-50 pounds. These speed demons make blistering runs and are excellent table fare when prepared fresh. Kings are most active during cooler months from October through March, though you'll find scattered fish year-round. They respond well to slow-trolled live bait and high-speed trolling with spoons and diving plugs.
Mahi Mahi are the most colorful fighters in the offshore spread, with their brilliant yellows and greens lighting up when they're hooked. These acrobatic fish average 5-15 pounds but can reach 30+ pounds during peak season from April through September. Mahi travel in schools around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, making them perfect targets for half-day trips. Their sweet, flaky meat makes them a favorite for the dinner table.
Crevalle Jack are the bullies of the inshore waters, known for their brute strength and willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them. These bronze fighters typically run 5-20 pounds and can be found year-round around structure, flats, and bait schools. Jacks are perfect for anglers who want consistent action and a good fight – they'll test your tackle and give you a workout on light gear.
Black Grouper inhabit the offshore reefs and wrecks, typically running 5-20 pounds with trophy fish reaching 30+ pounds. These bottom dwellers are excellent eating and provide a different style of fishing from the pelagic species. Grouper fishing requires precision bottom fishing techniques with live or dead bait, and you'll need to turn them quickly before they dive back into the structure. Season runs from May through December, with summer months producing the most consistent action.
Your floating command center for Key Biscayne waters is this beautifully restored 21-foot Dusky center console, fresh from a complete 2021 makeover. The reliable 175HP Suzuki engine delivers smooth performance whether you're cruising to fishing spots at 35 knots or positioning for that perfect cast. The boat's center console design gives everyone plenty of room to move around when fighting fish, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold under the Miami sun. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow areas where snook and tarpon like to hang out, and the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating productive bottom structure. GPS navigation ensures you'll always find your way back to those honey holes that produce fish. Built for serious fishing with comfort in mind, this Dusky handles Miami's inshore waters with ease while giving you and two fellow anglers plenty of space to work.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the reef bullies that'll test your tackle and reward you with some of the best eating fish in South Florida. Most run 5-20 pounds, but 40-pounders lurk around the deeper wrecks and ledges. These ambush predators hang around structure in 30-200 feet - reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom where they can hide and pounce. Winter months are prime time when they move shallower and feed more aggressively. Anglers target them for their strong fights and excellent table fare - firm, mild white meat that's hard to beat. They're not fast but incredibly strong, using the bottom structure to their advantage. Here's the key: once you hook one, crank hard immediately. Don't give them time to dive back into the rocks or you'll get cut off every time.
Caranx HipposJacks are pure muscle wrapped in bronze and gold - the bulldogs of the flats that'll drag you into your backing before you know what hit you. Most run 3-15 pounds around Key Biscayne, but 20-pounders patrol deeper waters. Look for them on grass flats, around structures, and anywhere baitfish gather in 5-50 feet of water. They're here year-round but get most aggressive during cooler months. Anglers love jacks for their brute strength and willingness to eat almost anything you throw at them. They fight way above their weight class. While not great table fare, they're perfect for catch-and-release fun. Watch for diving birds - that's your cue that jacks are pushing bait to the surface. Cast fast-moving lures like spoons or jigs past the school and burn them back through.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your drag system and make your arms burn. Most fish we catch range 20-40 pounds, though 60-pounders show up regularly in deeper water. They cruise 40-150 feet around reefs, wrecks, and temperature breaks where baitfish school. Fall and winter bring the best fishing when water temps drop into the 70s. Anglers love kings because they hit hard, run fast, and make excellent table fare - firm white meat that grills perfectly. These fish have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are essential. Here's my go-to setup: use a dual-hook rig with the first hook through the bait's nose and a trailing treble hook. Kings often bite the back half of your bait, so that second hook saves the day.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll catch offshore - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green backs that flash like neon when they're hooked. Most run 15-25 pounds and 3-4 feet long, perfect for medium tackle. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 100-600 feet of water. Spring through fall offers consistent action, especially after warm fronts. What makes mahi special is their aggressive strikes and aerial displays, plus they're absolutely delicious - mild, sweet meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. These fish school up, so when you hook one, keep everyone ready because more are coming. Pro tip: leave hooked fish in the water while others cast around it. The splashing keeps the school excited and nearby.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are bucket-list fish that'll give you a show you won't forget. Most tarpon we catch around Key Biscayne run 80-100 pounds and 4-6 feet long, though giants over 150 pounds cruise these waters. They love shallow flats, channels, and bridge areas where baitfish gather. Spring through fall offers the best action when they migrate through South Florida. What makes tarpon special? Their acrobatics - these fish can leap 10 feet out of the water and pull drag for what feels like hours. We practice catch and release since their meat is bony. My local tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This keeps tension without breaking your line when they crash back down.
5.0 out of 5.0Anthony is fantastic and made it a great experience from the start. Right after booking he called to ask what we were looking to t...
I recently enjoyed an incredible half-day offshore fishing trip in Miami with a knowledgeable and friendly captain who made the ex...
We really appreciated how Captain Anthony customized the trip to make it more interactive, allowing us to be more involved in the ...
A huge thank you to Captain Anthony for sharing his expertise, valuable tips, and taking us to some incredible spots. He provided ...
Key Biscayne