4HR Inshore Fishing | Biscayne & Florida Keys
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target prized species like Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon inshoreExplore Biscayne National Park and Florida Keys shorelinesAll fishing equipment and licenses provided for groups
Get ready to fish some of the most productive shallow waters in South Florida with So Fla Angling Co. This 4-hour inshore adventure takes you through the pristine flats of Biscayne National Park and down into the legendary fishing grounds of the Upper Keys. You're looking at world-class sight fishing for permit, tarpon, and bonefish – the holy trinity of flats fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. We'll provide all your gear, tackle, and licenses, so just grab some snacks and drinks and let's get after it.
This trip is all about working the skinny water where these fish live and feed. We'll be poling through crystal-clear shallows, often in less than three feet of water, where you can actually see your target before you cast. The flats around Biscayne Bay and the backcountry of the Keys are perfect for this style of fishing – miles of turtle grass beds, sandy potholes, and mangrove edges that hold incredible numbers of fish. You'll be sight casting with spinning gear or fly rods, depending on your preference and the conditions we find. The boat stays quiet as we pole or use the trolling motor to get into position, and when we spot fish, it's game on. This isn't about sitting back and waiting – it's active, visual fishing that'll keep you on your toes the whole time.
We fish light and precise out here. Most of the time, you'll be throwing live shrimp, crabs, or small jigs on 10-15 lb spinning tackle. The key is accuracy – these fish are spooky in shallow water, so your first cast better count. If you're into fly fishing, we've got 8 and 9 weight rods rigged with floating lines and a variety of patterns like gotchas, crabs, and shrimp flies. The bottom composition changes throughout the day as we move spots – sometimes we're over sandy flats where bonefish cruise, other times we're working the edges of channels where permit hang out, or sliding up to deeper holes where tarpon roll. Reading the water is everything, and that's where having a local guide makes all the difference. We know where the fish move with the tides, what baits work best on each flat, and how to approach different species without spooking them.
Permit are the ultimate challenge on these flats – these disc-shaped ghosts are notoriously picky eaters and will test every bit of your patience and skill. They cruise the edges of channels and deeper holes, often in small groups, feeding on crabs and shrimp. A good permit runs anywhere from 15-30 pounds, and when you hook one, get ready for a fight that'll leave your arms burning. They make long, powerful runs and use their body shape to leverage against you in the current. Spring and fall are prime time for permit, when they're most active and feeding heavy before and after spawning season.
Tarpon are pure adrenaline on light tackle. These silver kings range from juvenile fish around 10-20 pounds up to monsters pushing 100+ pounds, and they're famous for their acrobatic fights. You'll find them rolling in deeper potholes during the day or cruising the flats on incoming tides. When a tarpon eats your bait, hold on tight – they'll jump, gill-rattle, and run like nothing else in these waters. Summer months bring the best tarpon action, especially May through August when the big fish are moving through on their annual migration.
Bonefish are the bread and butter of flats fishing, and these waters hold some real quality fish. They're constantly moving and feeding across the grass flats, tailing in inches of water as they root around for shrimp and crabs. A typical Keys bonefish runs 3-6 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 8-10 pounds that'll absolutely smoke your drag. They're incredibly spooky, so stealth is key – one wrong step or splash and they're gone. Winter and spring offer the most consistent bonefish action, when cooler water temperatures have them feeding aggressively on the warming flats.
Four hours gives us plenty of time to work multiple flats and target different species as conditions change throughout the trip. With only two anglers max, you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of shots at fish. Whether you're a seasoned flats angler looking to check permit off your bucket list or new to sight fishing and want to learn the ropes, this trip delivers. The combination of Biscayne's protected waters and the Keys' legendary fishery means we're fishing some of the most renowned flats in the world. Don't sleep on this – these are the same waters that have made South Florida the top-rated destination for inshore fishing. Book your charter and let's get you hooked up with some of the most sought-after fish that swim.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "gray ghosts" of the flats - silvery torpedoes that average 16-30 inches and 6-8 pounds. They feed on shallow grass and sand flats during incoming tides, often in water so thin their backs show. You'll spot them "tailing" - sticking their tails up while rooting for crabs and shrimp on the bottom. They're year-round residents but fish best on lower tides when they're pushed into predictable feeding areas. What makes them special is their blazing speed - once hooked, they'll rip 100+ yards of line before you blink. It's all about the hunt and that first screaming run since they're too bony to eat. Local secret: look for nervous water or slight mud puffs where they're feeding, and always cast ahead of moving fish - never right at them.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the trickiest fish on the flats - tall, silver, and built like dinner plates standing on edge. Most run 20-40 pounds, though big ones hit 60+. They cruise shallow grass flats and sand bottoms in 2-6 feet of water, using those golf ball-sized eyes that rotate almost 360 degrees. Spring through fall is prime time when they're spawning. What makes them special? They're incredibly spooky and selective feeders, making them the ultimate challenge for any angler. Most guests love the hunt more than the catch - spotting their black-tipped dorsal fins cutting through skinny water gets the heart racing. Blue crabs are your best bet, but here's the local trick: when you see one, cast way ahead and let the crab sink to the bottom before they get close. Any movement and they're gone.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is what dreams are made of - these prehistoric giants average 80-100 pounds but can hit 200+. They patrol deeper channels, bridges, and around structure from spring through summer. What sets them apart is their aerial show when hooked - they'll jump clean out of the water multiple times, shaking their heads to throw the hook. Most folks target them for the fight, not the table since they're full of bones. You'll find them rolling on the surface in the early morning or late evening, gulping air with those massive mouths. They migrate through our waters April to October, with peak season in late spring. Pro tip: when you hook one, immediately bow to the fish during those jumps - lower your rod tip toward them to give slack, or they'll throw that hook every time.
South Florida