Private Fishing Charter Key Biscayne Miami
When you book a private charter with Captain Jay Jawitz and South Florida Fishing Adventures, you're not just getting a boat ride—you're getting a front-row seat to some of the best inshore and offshore fishing Miami has to offer. These 6 to 8-hour trips out of Key Biscayne put you right in the heart of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic, where the fishing changes with the tides, seasons, and your skill level. With room for just three anglers, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic day on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early at one of Key Biscayne's premier marinas, where Captain Jay has your gear rigged and ready. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility—want to spend the morning working the flats for snook and then head offshore for some blue water action? No problem. Feel like targeting tarpon around the bridges? We can do that too. The 6-hour minimum gives us plenty of time to adjust tactics based on what's biting, weather conditions, and what gets your adrenaline pumping. Captain Jay knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the shallow grass flats of Biscayne Bay to the deep blue drop-offs where the big pelagics cruise. He'll read the water, watch the birds, and put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's been wetting lines for decades. The boat is equipped with top-rated electronics, quality rods and reels, and all the tackle you'll need to handle everything from schoolie dolphin to trophy-sized sailfish.
Techniques & Tackle Setup
Depending on what we're targeting, we'll use everything from live bait fishing to trolling to sight casting. In the shallows, we're often working with light tackle—spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test, throwing live pilchards or shrimp around structure where snook and tarpon love to ambush their prey. When we head offshore, we'll step up to conventional reels with 30-50 pound test, either trolling ballyhoo and lures for mahi-mahi and sailfish or dropping baits on the reef for snappers and grouper. Captain Jay provides all the gear, but if you've got a favorite rod or reel setup, bring it along. The boat carries a full spread of tackle from light spinning gear to heavy offshore setups, plus a livewell stocked with the best bait for the conditions. We'll often start with what's been producing lately, then adjust based on what we're seeing and marking on the fish finder. Part of the fun is trying different techniques—maybe starting the day trolling, then switching to live bait when we find a school of fish, or sight casting when we spot tailing fish in the shallows.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Snook are the kings of South Florida's inshore waters, and Key Biscayne offers some of the best snook fishing in Miami. These ambush predators love structure—docks, bridges, mangrove edges—where they wait to slam whatever bait swims by. They're most active during the warmer months from April through October, with the best action often happening around dawn and dusk. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight. A good-sized snook will make multiple runs, jump, and test every knot in your tackle box. They're also incredibly smart, which is why having Captain Jay's local knowledge makes all the difference in presentation and bait selection.
Tarpon fishing around Key Biscayne is world-class, especially during the spring and summer migration when schools of these silver giants move through Biscayne Bay. These prehistoric-looking fish can grow over 200 pounds and put up a fight unlike anything else in the water. When a tarpon hits your bait, get ready for a rodeo—they'll jump repeatedly, make screaming runs, and test your tackle and technique. The best tarpon fishing happens from March through August, with peak action in May and June. What anglers love most about tarpon is that they're pure sport fish—we release them all, but the memory of battling a 100-pound silver king will last forever.
When we head offshore, mahi-mahi are a customer favorite for good reason. These colorful, fast-growing fish are fantastic to eat and put up an exciting fight. Mahi are most abundant from spring through fall, and they love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in the Gulf Stream. They're often found in schools, so when you hook one, there's usually more around. What makes mahi special is their willingness to bite artificial lures and their spectacular colors when first brought to the boat—brilliant golds, greens, and blues that fade quickly once they're out of the water.
Sailfish are the crown jewel of South Florida's offshore fishing scene, and the waters off Key Biscayne produce some trophy-sized fish. These acrobatic billfish are most active during the winter months from December through March, when they migrate south along the coast. Sailfish are pure adrenaline—when one hits a trolled ballyhoo, it often comes completely out of the water in a display of aerial acrobatics that'll have you reaching for your camera. Most sailfish we catch are released, but the fight and the photos make for bragging rights that last a lifetime. They're also surprisingly fast, clocking speeds up to 60 mph, which explains why they can strip line so quickly when they make their initial run.
Time to Book Your Spot
With only three spots available per trip, these private charters fill up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons. Captain Jay's reputation for putting clients on fish and his knowledge of South Florida waters make him a top choice for both local anglers and visitors looking for a world-class fishing experience. Whether you