Miami fishes year round, but the target list changes with the season. This calendar shows the top five deep sea species and the top five inshore species we target each month. Sharks and barracuda are around all year, both inshore and offshore. Different jacks and snappers are around all year in the bay and on the reefs as well. Offshore, the seasons skew toward sails in the winter and mahi in the summer, but quality fish can be caught year round. Inshore, at least one of the big three (tarpon, bonefish, permit) can be caught in any month.
JanuaryDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
January is a prime month for sailfish, and kingfish are on the reefs in numbers. African pompano are always rare, but this is the best month to try for one. Swordfish are worth the run when the weather cooperates, and if you are lucky there are some nice wahoo around on the kites. Inshore, winter means bonefish and permit on the flats, with tarpon, yellow jacks, and sharks rounding out the trips.
Deep Sea Top 5
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Kingfish
Popular gamefish, usually caught with live bait on a wire leader or while planer fishing.
African Pompano
Reef and wreck fish to about 300 feet, usually caught on jigs or live bait.
Swordfish
Deep-water gamefish, caught during the day and at night.
Wahoo
Fast offshore fish, caught on the troll and off the planers.
Inshore Top 5
Bonefish
Highly sought-after shallow-water flats fish, usually caught by sight-casting on light tackle.
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Tarpon
Large migratory inshore fish, caught around the inlets and beaches at night.
Yellow Jack
Finger-channel regulars in fall and winter, and pound for pound some of the hardest-fighting fish in the bay.
Sharks
An ever-present part of the bay, always willing to test your tackle.
FebruaryDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
The winter pattern holds in February: sailfish and kingfish lead the deep sea list, swordfish when the weather cooperates, and wahoo and African pompano fill it out. Inshore, February can be one of the tougher months, but we still have great days on bonefish, tarpon, and permit.
Deep Sea Top 5
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Kingfish
Popular gamefish, usually caught with live bait on a wire leader or while planer fishing.
Swordfish
Deep-water gamefish, caught during the day and at night.
Wahoo
Fast offshore fish, caught on the troll and off the planers.
African Pompano
Reef and wreck fish to about 300 feet, usually caught on jigs or live bait.
Inshore Top 5
Bonefish
Highly sought-after shallow-water flats fish, usually caught by sight-casting on light tackle.
Tarpon
Large migratory inshore fish, caught around the inlets and beaches at night.
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Yellow Jack
Finger-channel regulars in fall and winter, and pound for pound some of the hardest-fighting fish in the bay.
Sharks
An ever-present part of the bay, always willing to test your tackle.
MarchDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
March is one of the best months of the year, period. Sailfish peak in spring, and March opens the big-king window that runs through May. Amberjack, wahoo, and blackfin tuna round out the deep sea list. Inshore hits its stride, with tarpon, permit, and bonefish all fishing well and mutton snapper and yellow jacks behind them.
Deep Sea Top 5
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Kingfish
Popular gamefish, usually caught with live bait on a wire leader or while planer fishing.
Amberjack
Strong wreck fish, caught with live or dead bait near structure.
Wahoo
Fast offshore fish, caught on the troll and off the planers.
Blackfin Tuna
Spring migratory tuna, caught on light tackle with live bait.
Inshore Top 5
Tarpon
Large migratory inshore fish, caught around the inlets and beaches at night.
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Bonefish
Highly sought-after shallow-water flats fish, usually caught by sight-casting on light tackle.
Mutton Snapper
Versatile coastal snapper caught from the flats to the wrecks.
Yellow Jack
Finger-channel regulars in fall and winter, and pound for pound some of the hardest-fighting fish in the bay.
AprilDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
April sits in the heart of the spring sailfish peak. Big kingfish are still in their March through May window, blackfin tuna build toward their May peak, and the first mahi show. Inshore, April matches March as one of the best stretches of the year, led by tarpon, permit, and bonefish.
Deep Sea Top 5
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Kingfish
Popular gamefish, usually caught with live bait on a wire leader or while planer fishing.
Amberjack
Strong wreck fish, caught with live or dead bait near structure.
Blackfin Tuna
Spring migratory tuna, caught on light tackle with live bait.
Mahi-Mahi
Fast offshore schooler, caught around weed lines and birds.
Inshore Top 5
Tarpon
Large migratory inshore fish, caught around the inlets and beaches at night.
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Bonefish
Highly sought-after shallow-water flats fish, usually caught by sight-casting on light tackle.
Mutton Snapper
Versatile coastal snapper caught from the flats to the wrecks.
Yellow Jack
Finger-channel regulars in fall and winter, and pound for pound some of the hardest-fighting fish in the bay.
MayDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
Blackfin tuna peak in May, and the big spawners come on the kite. Sailfish and kingfish are still going, mahi keep building, and black grouper join the list. Inshore, tarpon lead into their best months with permit and bonefish behind them.
Deep Sea Top 5
Blackfin Tuna
Spring migratory tuna, caught on light tackle with live bait.
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Kingfish
Popular gamefish, usually caught with live bait on a wire leader or while planer fishing.
Mahi-Mahi
Fast offshore schooler, caught around weed lines and birds.
Black Grouper
Wreck and reef fish, caught on heavy tackle near structure.
Inshore Top 5
Tarpon
Large migratory inshore fish, caught around the inlets and beaches at night.
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Bonefish
Highly sought-after shallow-water flats fish, usually caught by sight-casting on light tackle.
Yellow Jack
Finger-channel regulars in fall and winter, and pound for pound some of the hardest-fighting fish in the bay.
Mutton Snapper
Versatile coastal snapper caught from the flats to the wrecks.
JuneDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
Mahi arrive in force in June and lead the deep sea list into fall. Blackfin, sailfish, kingfish, and wahoo are all still in play. Inshore, tarpon, permit, and bonefish keep rolling, with sharks and yellow jacks filling out the five.
Deep Sea Top 5
Mahi-Mahi
Fast offshore schooler, caught around weed lines and birds.
Blackfin Tuna
Spring migratory tuna, caught on light tackle with live bait.
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Kingfish
Popular gamefish, usually caught with live bait on a wire leader or while planer fishing.
Wahoo
Fast offshore fish, caught on the troll and off the planers.
Inshore Top 5
Tarpon
Large migratory inshore fish, caught around the inlets and beaches at night.
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Bonefish
Highly sought-after shallow-water flats fish, usually caught by sight-casting on light tackle.
Sharks
An ever-present part of the bay, always willing to test your tackle.
Yellow Jack
Finger-channel regulars in fall and winter, and pound for pound some of the hardest-fighting fish in the bay.
JulyDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
Summer is mahi season, and in July we run offshore and work the promising water. Football blackfin, wahoo, yellow-eye snapper, and sharks fill out the deep sea list. Inshore flips to the summer pattern, with permit and snook leading and tarpon, barracuda, and sharks behind.
Deep Sea Top 5
Mahi-Mahi
Fast offshore schooler, caught around weed lines and birds.
Blackfin Tuna (footballs)
Smaller footballs caught through the year on the troll.
Wahoo
Fast offshore fish, caught on the troll and off the planers.
Yellow-Eye Snapper
Deep-drop snapper from 250 to 600 feet, caught on deeper reefs and ledges.
Sharks
A variety of sharks are a year round possibility on heavy tackle.
Inshore Top 5
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Snook
Inshore structure-oriented gamefish, usually caught around mangroves and inlets.
Tarpon
Large migratory inshore fish, caught around the inlets and beaches at night.
Barracuda
Reef and flats fish, caught on lures and live bait with a wire leader.
Sharks
An ever-present part of the bay, always willing to test your tackle.
AugustDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
Mahi stay on top in August. Yellowtail snapper, wahoo, football blackfin, and sharks complete the deep sea five. Inshore, permit and snook lead again, with mutton snapper, barracuda, and sharks in the mix.
Deep Sea Top 5
Mahi-Mahi
Fast offshore schooler, caught around weed lines and birds.
Yellowtail Snapper
Schooling reef snapper, caught on light tackle with chum while anchored on the reef.
Wahoo
Fast offshore fish, caught on the troll and off the planers.
Blackfin Tuna (footballs)
Smaller footballs caught through the year on the troll.
Sharks
A variety of sharks are a year round possibility on heavy tackle.
Inshore Top 5
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Snook
Inshore structure-oriented gamefish, usually caught around mangroves and inlets.
Mutton Snapper
Versatile coastal snapper caught from the flats to the wrecks.
Barracuda
Reef and flats fish, caught on lures and live bait with a wire leader.
Sharks
An ever-present part of the bay, always willing to test your tackle.
SeptemberDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
Mahi are still first in September, swordfish fish well, yellowtail and vermillion snapper are on the reefs, and the first sailfish start to show back up. Inshore, September can be one of the tougher months, but we still have great days, led by bonefish and mutton snapper.
Deep Sea Top 5
Mahi-Mahi
Fast offshore schooler, caught around weed lines and birds.
Swordfish
Deep-water gamefish, caught during the day and at night.
Yellowtail Snapper
Schooling reef snapper, caught on light tackle with chum while anchored on the reef.
Vermillion Snapper
Deep-drop snapper from 250 to 400 feet, caught on deep reefs.
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Inshore Top 5
Bonefish
Highly sought-after shallow-water flats fish, usually caught by sight-casting on light tackle.
Mutton Snapper
Versatile coastal snapper caught from the flats to the wrecks.
Yellow Jack
Finger-channel regulars in fall and winter, and pound for pound some of the hardest-fighting fish in the bay.
Sharks
An ever-present part of the bay, always willing to test your tackle.
Barracuda
Reef and flats fish, caught on lures and live bait with a wire leader.
OctoberDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
The fall pattern arrives in October: swordfish and mahi lead, sailfish build, kingfish come back in numbers, and yellow-eye snapper round out the list. Inshore shifts to mutton snapper, yellow jacks, and permit, with sharks and barracuda as always.
Deep Sea Top 5
Swordfish
Deep-water gamefish, caught during the day and at night.
Mahi-Mahi
Fast offshore schooler, caught around weed lines and birds.
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Kingfish
Popular gamefish, usually caught with live bait on a wire leader or while planer fishing.
Yellow-Eye Snapper
Deep-drop snapper from 250 to 600 feet, caught on deeper reefs and ledges.
Inshore Top 5
Mutton Snapper
Versatile coastal snapper caught from the flats to the wrecks.
Yellow Jack
Finger-channel regulars in fall and winter, and pound for pound some of the hardest-fighting fish in the bay.
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Sharks
An ever-present part of the bay, always willing to test your tackle.
Barracuda
Reef and flats fish, caught on lures and live bait with a wire leader.
NovemberDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
Sailfish move back to the top of the list in November. Swordfish, kingfish, mahi, and wahoo complete the deep sea side. Inshore, mutton snapper and yellow jacks lead, gag grouper make their appearance, and permit and sharks round it out.
Deep Sea Top 5
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Swordfish
Deep-water gamefish, caught during the day and at night.
Kingfish
Popular gamefish, usually caught with live bait on a wire leader or while planer fishing.
Mahi-Mahi
Fast offshore schooler, caught around weed lines and birds.
Wahoo
Fast offshore fish, caught on the troll and off the planers.
Inshore Top 5
Mutton Snapper
Versatile coastal snapper caught from the flats to the wrecks.
Yellow Jack
Finger-channel regulars in fall and winter, and pound for pound some of the hardest-fighting fish in the bay.
Gag Grouper
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Sharks
An ever-present part of the bay, always willing to test your tackle.
DecemberDeep Sea & Inshore Top 5
Winter sets in during December: sailfish and kingfish lead, with wahoo, yellow-eye snapper, and vermillion snapper filling the list. Inshore, December is a bonefish and permit month, with jack crevalle, tarpon, and sharks completing the five. Tarpon are best December through June, though we catch them on designated trips year round.
Deep Sea Top 5
Sailfish
Iconic Atlantic billfish, usually targeted by kite fishing.
Kingfish
Popular gamefish, usually caught with live bait on a wire leader or while planer fishing.
Wahoo
Fast offshore fish, caught on the troll and off the planers.
Yellow-Eye Snapper
Deep-drop snapper from 250 to 600 feet, caught on deeper reefs and ledges.
Vermillion Snapper
Deep-drop snapper from 250 to 400 feet, caught on deep reefs.
Inshore Top 5
Bonefish
Highly sought-after shallow-water flats fish, usually caught by sight-casting on light tackle.
Permit
Coveted flats and wreck fish, usually caught with crabs or jigs.
Jack Crevalle
Inshore schooling fish, caught on lures and live bait.
Tarpon
Large migratory inshore fish, caught around the inlets and beaches at night.
Sharks
An ever-present part of the bay, always willing to test your tackle.
In fall and spring you can also catch seatrout on the grass flats, and bycatch like bluefish in winter and ladyfish year round keeps light-tackle days busy.