5.0(8 Reviews)Half Day Morning Weekend Fishing in Key Biscayne
5.0(8 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure targeting Snapper and MahiMahiSmall group experience accommodating maximum three guests aboardMorning weekend departure from scenic Key Biscayne waters
When you're looking for a solid morning on the water without breaking the bank or eating up your whole weekend, this four-hour fishing trip out of Miami-Key Biscayne hits the sweet spot. Captain Anthony and his crew know these waters like their own backyard, and they'll put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod. The boat launches early to beat the crowds and the heat, giving you prime time on some of Miami's most productive fishing grounds. With space for just three anglers, you're not fighting for elbow room or waiting your turn – it's a personalized trip where everyone gets plenty of action.
Your morning starts with a quick safety briefing and gear check before heading out to the fishing grounds. The captain reads the conditions daily – wind, current, bait movement – to decide whether you'll be working the reefs, structure, or open water. Most trips focus on inshore and near-shore spots where the action is consistent, but if you want to chase the bigger pelagics offshore, that's an option for an additional $100. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility – if the snapper bite is hot on the reef, you'll stay there. If the mahi are crashing bait in deeper water, that's where you'll head. The crew handles all the rigging, bait prep, and net work, so you can focus on what you came for: catching fish and enjoying the ride.
Depending on what's biting, you'll be using a mix of techniques throughout the morning. Live bait fishing with pilchards or ballyhoo is the bread and butter for snapper, grouper, and mackerel around the reefs and structure. The crew knows exactly how much weight to use in the current and where to position the boat for the best drift. When targeting mahi or kings in open water, you'll switch to trolling with lures or rigged baits, covering water until you mark fish or find floating debris that's holding life. For tarpon, it's all about live bait presentation – getting that pilchard or crab in the right spot and being ready for the explosive strike. All tackle is provided, from spinning reels for the lighter stuff to conventional gear when you need more muscle. The captain will match the tackle to the target species and conditions, ensuring you have the right tool for the job.
"The captain was friendly and did an excellent job getting us hooked up with fish while guiding us every step of the way. Overall, it was a fantastic fishing trip!" - Adam. "I really appreciated how Captain Anthony customized the trip to make it more interactive, allowing us to be fully involved rather than just waiting to reel in a hooked fish. It made the experience so much more engaging and enjoyable!" - Matthew. "We had an amazing time! Anthony made sure we caught plenty of fish and was incredibly helpful in teaching us along the way. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and truly the best captain we've ever had. Highly recommend!" - Nicole.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Miami waters, and when you hook one, you'll understand why anglers travel from around the world to fish here. These giants can push 150 pounds and are famous for their aerial displays – they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that'll have your heart pounding. Peak tarpon season runs from April through July, but you can find them year-round in South Florida. They're finicky feeders that require patience and skill, but when everything comes together, it's pure magic. The fight can last 30 minutes or more, testing both your stamina and the tackle.
King Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and your drag system. These toothy predators cruise the edges of reefs and drop-offs, ambushing baitfish with lightning-fast strikes. Kings are abundant from fall through spring, with the best action typically in 60-120 feet of water. They're excellent table fare when bled and iced properly, and a good-sized king in the 20-40 pound range will give you a memorable battle with screaming runs and head-shaking jumps.
Mahi Mahi bring tropical colors and acrobatic fights to your fishing trip. These beautiful fish are attracted to floating debris, weed lines, and structure, making them perfect targets for this type of trip. They're most common during the warmer months but can show up year-round when conditions are right. Mahi are aggressive feeders and often travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more around. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or making fish tacos.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they'll give you an arm-burning fight that'll leave you wondering why you ever bothered with fancy tackle. These bruisers are year-round residents that love structure, bait schools, and anywhere the current is moving food around. Jacks are ambush predators that hit hard and pull harder, often making powerful runs straight for the bottom or the nearest piece of structure. They're perfect for beginners who want to feel what a real fish fight is like.
Black Grouper are the reef kings that every angler wants to tangle with. These bottom dwellers use their powerful bodies and intimate knowledge of the reef to test your tackle and technique. Grouper fishing requires precision – getting your bait to the bottom quickly and being ready to turn the fish before it reaches cover. They're most active during cooler months and are prized for their excellent table fare. A good black grouper in the 15-30 pound range will give you a classic battle of wills, and landing one is always a victory worth celebrating.
This half
This restored 2021 Dusky 21-footer is your ticket to Miami's prime fishing waters. Powered by a reliable 175HP Suzuki, she'll cruise you and two other anglers to the hottest inshore spots at 35 knots. The center console layout gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish, while the onboard fish finder helps locate schools of snapper and mahi hiding in the flats. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in icebox, and when you need to get into those shallow backcountry areas quietly, the wireless trolling motor won't spook the fish. GPS keeps you on track to the best honey holes around Key Biscayne. Perfect setup for a productive morning on the water.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are bottom dwellers that'll give you a serious tug-of-war once hooked. They average over 2 feet but can reach 5 feet and 125 pounds - the current record was caught right here in the Gulf. You'll find them around wrecks, ledges, and reefs from 30 feet in winter up to 300 feet in summer. They're ambush predators that use structure to hunt, so get your bait right on the bottom. What makes them popular is the challenging fight and excellent table fare - mild, firm white meat. They're not speed demons but pure strength and stubbornness. Pro tip: use heavy tackle with 80lb braid and crank them up immediately when they bite - they'll try to cut you off in the rocks if you give them time.
Caranx HipposJacks are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle that'll test your tackle and your arms. They average 12-24 inches but can reach 4 feet and 60 pounds. You'll spot them in shallow seagrass beds, around structure, or chasing bait on the surface. Year-round fishing here, but they're most active in warmer months. Look for diving birds - that's your best indicator of feeding schools. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature and never-quit attitude. They hit hard, run long, and won't give up until they're in the boat. While not great eating, they're perfect for sport. Quick tip: cast past the school and retrieve fast with silver spoons or topwater plugs - they love the chase and won't refuse a moving target.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your drag system - these silvery bullets can hit 35 mph and average 20-30 pounds around here. You'll find them in 40-150 feet of water, often suspended mid-column or cruising the edges of structure. They love the cooler months from fall through spring when baitfish are thick. What makes them popular is that explosive initial run and the fact they're excellent table fare - firm, white meat that grills perfectly. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from live bait to spoons and plugs. The key trick with kings is using a wire leader and rigging with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, another trailing behind, since they often hit the tail end first.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll see - brilliant gold, blue, and green that puts on a light show when they come out of the water. They typically run 15-30 pounds and rarely live past 4 years, but they're fast growers and fantastic eating. You'll find them under floating debris, weed lines, or around structures in deeper water. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps are warm. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they're strong swimmers that don't give up easy. The meat is firm, white, and mild - perfect for grilling. My go-to technique is trolling ballyhoo near sargassum patches and making the bait skip on the surface to mimic flying fish.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are what fishing dreams are made of - 6-foot giants that can launch 10 feet out of the water when hooked. Most tarpon we catch run 80-100 pounds, but they can hit 280. They're ancient fish, been around 125 million years, and they're smart fighters. You'll find them in the deeper channels around Key Biscayne and along the flats edges, especially during spring through fall when they migrate through. The fight is pure spectacle - multiple jumps, long runs, and that unforgettable silver flash. We practice catch and release since they're slow growers and take 7-13 years to mature. Pro tip: keep your rod tip low when they jump to avoid giving them slack to throw the hook.
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Key Biscayne