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Miami's Top-Rated 4-Hour Sight Fishing Trip
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Miami
- $400 - $750 price range
- Updated Date: August 28, 2025
Summary
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Miami's Mixed Bag
Fiery peacock bass!
Chunky largemouth bass!
Solid largemouth bass!
Epic peacock bass trio!
Miami peacock bass on the line
Peacock bass strike in city canals
Vibrant peacock bass!
Bold peacock bass!
Double peacock bass!
Glowing peacock bass!
Fiery peacock bass!
Chunky largemouth bass!
Solid largemouth bass!
Epic peacock bass trio!
Miami peacock bass on the line
Peacock bass strike in city canals
Vibrant peacock bass!
Bold peacock bass!
Double peacock bass!
Glowing peacock bass!
Fiery peacock bass!
Chunky largemouth bass!
Solid largemouth bass!
Epic peacock bass trio!
Miami's Best Sight Fishing: Bonefish to Peacock Bass
Get ready for a half-day adventure that'll have you hooked on Miami's diverse fisheries. This 4-hour guided trip is your ticket to some of the best sight fishing around, whether you're chasing bonefish on the flats or peacock bass in urban canals. With a max of three anglers, you'll get plenty of one-on-one time with your guide to dial in your technique and learn the local hotspots. From seasoned fly anglers to total newbies, this trip is tailored to get you on fish and having a blast.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day kicks off at 8 AM, perfect timing to hit the water as the fish start getting active. Depending on conditions and what's biting, your guide might point the boat towards the saltwater flats for some classic sight fishing or duck into the freshwater canals for an urban fishing experience like no other. All the gear you need is provided, so just show up ready to fish. Light tackle and fly setups are both on the menu, giving you the flexibility to fish how you want. With both freshwater and saltwater options, this trip is like getting two adventures in one.
Sight Fishing 101
If you've never tried sight fishing before, you're in for a treat. It's all about spotting fish before they see you, then making the perfect cast to entice a bite. In the clear Miami waters, you might find yourself casting to a tailing bonefish on the flats or dropping a fly in front of a cruising peacock bass in a canal. Your guide will be right there, helping you spot fish and fine-tune your presentation. It's a game of stealth, accuracy, and patience that'll test your skills and get your heart racing when a fish finally commits.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
"Byron was fantastic and clearly knows his stuff. He brought my family and me out to a canal for a relaxed day of fishing. There were four of us, and even with just a couple of rods, it worked out perfectly — we took turns, and the area wasn't crowded at all. We landed some really nice fish and enjoyed a beautiful day outdoors. I'd absolutely recommend a fishing trip with Byron!" - Twisty
"Our first fishing trip couldn't have gone better! My son and I were total beginners, but Byron was incredibly patient and a fantastic teacher. We honestly didn't expect to catch anything — but we were in for a surprise. I reeled in five fish, and my son landed eight! And these weren't small fish either — they were big, vibrant, and absolutely stunning. We had such a blast that we're already planning to book another trip with Byron next time we're in Miami. Highly recommend — you won't be let down!" - Jeanette
Species You'll Want to Hook
Snook: These hard-fighting fish are a favorite among Miami anglers. They love to hang around structure, so expect to cast near mangroves, docks, or bridges. Snook put up a great fight and can grow to impressive sizes, with some topping 40 inches. Spring and fall are prime times to target them as they move between their winter and summer haunts.
Tarpon: Known as the "silver king," tarpon are the ultimate game fish. These prehistoric-looking giants can exceed 100 pounds and are famous for their acrobatic leaps when hooked. While they can be found year-round in Miami, the best action is typically from March to June during their annual migration. Landing a tarpon is a bucket-list achievement for many anglers.
Redfish: With their distinctive spot near the tail, redfish are a sight fisher's dream. They're often found tailing in shallow water, making them a perfect target for fly anglers. Redfish in Miami can range from 5 to 30 pounds, offering great sport on light tackle. They're most active in the cooler months, from fall through spring.
Permit: These wary fish are considered one of the most challenging species to catch on a fly. Permit have excellent eyesight and are notoriously picky eaters, making them a true test of an angler's skill. They're typically found on the flats, often in water so shallow their fins break the surface. Spring and summer are the best seasons to target permit in Miami.
Bonefish: Often called "ghosts of the flats," bonefish are prized for their blistering runs and the challenge they present to sight fishers. These silvery speedsters can reach speeds of 40 mph when hooked, stripping line faster than you can imagine. Miami's bonefish average 4-6 pounds but can grow much larger. They're available year-round but are most active in the warmer months.
Time to Book Your Spot
Whether you're a die-hard angler or just looking to try something new, this Miami sight fishing trip offers a unique blend of urban and natural environments that you won't find anywhere else. With the chance to target both freshwater and saltwater species in a single outing, you're in for a diverse and exciting day on the water. Your guide's local knowledge ensures you'll be putting your casts where the fish are, maximizing your chances for success. Don't miss out on this top-rated Miami fishing experience – spots fill up fast, especially for weekend trips. Book now and get ready to create some fish stories of your own in the Magic City's waters.
Customer Reviews
Byrons Canal Catch
Twisty B
January 25, 2025
Beginners Big Catch
Our first fishing trip couldn’t have gone better! My son and I were total beginners, but Byron was incredibly patient and a fantastic teacher. We honestly didn’t expect to catch anything — but we were in for a surprise. I reeled in five fish, and my son landed eight! And these weren’t small fish either — they were big, vibrant, and absolutely stunning. We had such a blast that we’re already planning to book another trip with Byron next time we’re in Miami. Highly recommend — you won’t be let down!
Jeanette D
April 2, 2024
Learn more about the species
Bonefish
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats, and for good reason. These silver torpedoes typically range from 4-8 pounds, with some pushing 10. You'll find them tailing in shallow water or cruising over grass flats, especially during rising tides. Bonefish have incredible eyesight and spook easily, so stealth is key. Live shrimp or small crabs work well, but fly fishing for bones is a true art form. What makes them special is their speed – when hooked, bonefish make blistering runs that can strip 100 yards of line in seconds. It's all about the challenge of spotting them, making the perfect cast, and then holding on for the ride. They're not eaten, so it's all catch and release. Local tip: look for mudding bonefish in slightly deeper water when the flats are too hot. Cast your bait or fly right on the edge of the mud cloud for best results.
Permit
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing in Miami. These wary, disc-shaped fish typically range from 10-30 pounds, with some giants pushing 40. You'll find them tailing on shallow flats or hovering over coral heads, especially during incoming tides. Permit have incredible eyesight and are notoriously picky eaters, making them a true challenge. Live crabs are the go-to bait, but a well-presented fly can also do the trick. What makes permit special is the hunt – spotting them, making the perfect cast, and hoping they don't spook. When hooked, they make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. The fight is more about finesse than brute strength. Permit aren't prized for eating, so most anglers practice catch and release. Local tip: look for them around the edges of sand holes on the flats, and be ready to make a quick, accurate cast.
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are a staple in Miami's backcountry fishing scene. These copper-colored beauties typically range from 20-30 inches, with some bulls pushing 40 inches. Look for them tailing in shallow grass flats or cruising near oyster bars, especially during fall and winter. Redfish are opportunistic feeders, so live shrimp or cut bait works well, but they'll also hit artificial lures and flies. What makes them fun is their versatility – you can sight fish for them in inches of water or find them in deeper channels. They put up a stubborn fight, often making strong runs and head-shaking dives. Redfish are great on the table too, with a mild, sweet flavor. Here's a local trick: on calm days, look for their copper backs reflecting sunlight as they cruise the flats. Cast well ahead of them and slowly retrieve your bait across their path for best results.
Snook
Snook are a prized catch in Miami's waters, known for their powerful runs and acrobatic jumps. These sleek predators typically range from 24-36 inches, with some monsters pushing 48 inches. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and inlets, especially during warmer months. Snook love structure, so cast your line near bridge pilings or oyster bars. They're ambush feeders, so a well-placed lure can trigger explosive strikes. Live bait like mullet or pinfish works wonders, but artificial lures can be just as effective. The fight is what makes snook special – they'll test your gear and skills with sudden direction changes and gill-rattling head shakes. Remember, they're catch-and-release only in many areas, so handle them with care. Pro tip: fish the outgoing tide for best results, and don't be afraid to downsize your leader for finicky fish.
Tarpon
Tarpon are the silver kings of Miami's backcountry, and for good reason. These prehistoric powerhouses can reach over 100 pounds, with most catches in the 40-80 pound range. You'll find them rolling in deeper channels or cruising the flats, especially during their spring and summer migration. Tarpon are air-breathers, so look for their distinctive gulp at the surface. They're notoriously picky eaters, but live crabs or mullet are hard to resist. Fly anglers, get ready for the challenge of a lifetime – a well-presented fly can entice these giants. When hooked, tarpon put on an aerial show like no other, often clearing the water by several feet. The initial run can strip hundreds of yards of line in seconds. Patience is key – let them tire themselves out. Remember, it's all about the experience, not the meat. My local tip: focus on the tide changes, particularly the last hour of outgoing and first of incoming.
About the BF Guide Service
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 50
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 90
Byron was fantastic and clearly knows his stuff. He brought my family and me out to a canal for a relaxed day of fishing. There were four of us, and even with just a couple of rods, it worked out perfectly — we took turns, and the area wasn’t crowded at all. We landed some really nice fish and enjoyed a beautiful day outdoors. I’d absolutely recommend a fishing trip with Byron!