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Whether you’re dropping bait in Biscayne Bay or drift fishing near Key Largo, local fishing in Miami isn’t just a pastime—it’s part of living here. Forget the tourist traps and glossy charters. This is a local’s guide to South Florida’s fishiest waters—based on experience, not Google Maps.
I’ve fished these spots countless times, often launching from the beach, bridges, or a kayak. From urban jetties to hidden sandy holes, these locations deliver. Let’s start in North Miami and work our way south.
Landing my first Miami sailfish — this one hit just off the reef east of Haulover.
- 1 🎣 Haulover Inlet Rocks & Bridge: Big Fish from Shore
- 2 🌊 Offshore Reefs Near Haulover: Spearfishing and Snapper Stashes
- 3 🏙 Central Miami: The “Tom Brady Stretch” – Don’t Waste Your Bait
- 4 🚢 Government Cut Bridges – The Grouper Goldmine
- 5 🎣 South Beach Jetty & Marina – Urban Fishing with a View
- 6 🐠 Cape Florida (Bill Baggs): Pretty but Pressured
- 7 🔥 Best of the Best: Stiltsville Channel Fingers
- 8 🎯 Final Thoughts
🎣 Haulover Inlet Rocks & Bridge: Big Fish from Shore
What to catch: Snook, jack crevalle
How to fish: Shore, bridge, kayak
This spot is a go-to because you don’t need a boat to get a serious fight. Monster snook hang tight to the rocks near the inlet, especially at dawn and dusk. You’ll also find jack crevalle tearing through baitfish along the bridge’s west side.
If you’re fishing from the bridge, walk the west shoulder and cast under the shadow line. Bring live pilchards or a topwater plug. For kayak anglers: Watch the current—it rips. There’s action, but also danger if you’re not experienced.
Insider bonus: If you see spearfishers sneaking around, that’s a good sign. They know where the fish are.
🌊 Offshore Reefs Near Haulover: Spearfishing and Snapper Stashes
What to catch: Black grouper, mutton snappers, red snappers, almaco jacks, and amberjacks. Outside of the reefs: Sailfish, Wahoo, and tuna
How to fish: Spearfish, chum, drop bait from boat
This reef zone is full of structure and life. Aquarium collectors even bring vacuum rigs to target ornamental fish. If you’re fishing for the table, anchor over rocky bottoms, float a chum line, and rig up shrimp or squid.
My rig of choice here is a knocker rig or double dropper with fresh cut bait. If I’m spearfishing, I use a dive flag buoy and work the ledges slowly—lobsters and hogfish often show up.
Important: Know your reef fish regulations—especially for snapper and aquarium species.
Mixed offshore haul from just outside Haulover — bonito and blackfin tuna in the mix.
🏙 Central Miami: The “Tom Brady Stretch” – Don’t Waste Your Bait
This stretch through the central Intercoastal might look promising, but in my experience, it’s a waste of time unless you’re throwing cast nets for bait. The only thing I’ve landed here worth mentioning was a needlefish. Save your energy for better spots.
Typical catch from the Tom Brady Stretch — mostly grunts like this and other bait fish.
🚢 Government Cut Bridges – The Grouper Goldmine
What to catch: Grouper (especially in winter), snapper, baitfish
How to fish: Drop bait near cruise basin, fish bridges at night
This area is overlooked, probably because of the traffic and security patrols. But if you know how to work the tides and have fresh bait, it can be a goldmine for big winter grouper. The turning basin near the cruise ships is a deepwater honey hole—just stay sharp; law enforcement will check you.
At night, head over to the Fisher Island side and net baitfish under the lights. Then drift those back through the bridge channels. You’ll be surprised at what’s lurking down there.
If you’re serious about local fishing in Miami, you need more than a boat—you need the right bait, the right tide, and the right spots. That’s what this guide is all about.
🎣 South Beach Jetty & Marina – Urban Fishing with a View
What to catch: Tarpon, snook
How to fish: Cast from jetty, kayak, or stealth mode at the marina
If you think South Beach is just clubs and cocktails, you’re missing out. The jetties around the marina are stacked with snook and tarpon, especially at dawn. The trick? Avoid the dockmaster’s line of sight and be respectful. Or better—launch a kayak and sneak around the back channel.
Best bait: Live pilchards or a weighted jerk shad, slow-rolled along the structure.
🐠 Cape Florida (Bill Baggs): Pretty but Pressured
It’s beautiful, sure. But this spot is what I call “fished-out.” Weekends bring out the warriors, and by Monday, all you’ll find are overfished grunts and the occasional slipper lobster. Worth a visit for the scenery, not for filling your cooler.
🔥 Best of the Best: Stiltsville Channel Fingers
What to catch: Snapper species, mackerel, bluefish, permit, jacks, grouper, and larger predator fish
How to fish: Live bait in the channels and near structure, GPS mark good spots!
These deep fingers around and just south of Stiltsville are my absolute favorite inshore spots in Miami. The currents move hard through here, so you’ll need a good anchor or be ready to drift. I drop live shrimp or pilchards through the channels and near underwater structure. Remember to mark good spots on your GPS.
Pro tip: Fish the moving tide. Watch your depth—some fingers go shallow quick.
This area holds a surprising number of species. You might get a bonefish, a mutton snapper, or a surprise grouper all within a hundred yards. Many people motor right around this area.
Check out my Post about Miami Boat ramps. Get here fast from the Crandon boat ramp.
My happy place: in the channel fingers on my 1991 Shamrock center console — great spot for mutton snapper, grouper, and peace.
🎯 Final Thoughts
You don’t need a 30-footer or $1,000 of gear to fish like a local around Miami. You just need to know where to go, what to bring, and how to fish smart. All of these spots are tested by time and tide—places I return to again and again.
Want to support the blog and see the gear I actually use? Check out my Fishing Gear Picks (affiliate links help keep the site alive).
Extra Tip: for an update fishing forecast Florida Sportsman has a great thread
And as always—check local regulations and bring your fishing license. Biscayne has its own rules, and they enforce them.