Just one look at the white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters around Key Biscayne will show you why the town earned the nickname “Island Paradise.” Surrounded by water on all sides, you’ll scarcely believe that you’re just 15 minutes from downtown Miami! This tropical idyll is a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and the Key Biscayne fishing scene just adds to the town’s beauty.
The key is situated in the north of Biscayne Bay, meaning that it’s a great starting point for exploring some prime inshore fishing grounds. These waters offer up more than just shallow-water fishing, however. Head to the edge of the bay and you’ll find productive reefs teeming with fish.
Meanwhile, the Gulf Stream lies just beyond, and offers plenty of surprises. Whatever kind of angling experience you’re looking for, fishing in Key Biscayne has it. So let’s dive in and find out what’s in store.
Best Fish to Catch in Key Biscayne
Fishing in Key Biscayne introduces you to a who’s who of Florida fish. From the flats and the beaches to the reefs, and out to the deep, you’ll find plenty of familiar faces biting at the end of your line. The list of fish you can find here is almost endless, so we won’t cover all the creatures you can target. But here’s our pick of the top catches in Key Biscayne.
Snook
One of the world’s most sought-after inshore fish, Snook, is abundant in these parts. From the grassy flats to the sandy bottoms of the bay, you can find these fish all over when the season hits. You’d better be ready for action when you feel the bite, as these tough creatures promise to put up an almighty battle to reel aboard.
Snook are highly sensitive to water temperatures, so you’ll only find them here in summer. In fact, a cold snap in 2010 killed off a lot of the species, so they’re heavily protected in Florida. While they produce a delicious kind of meat, you’ll only be allowed to take one of these beauties home with you – and only between March and May, and then again from September to December. But don’t let that put you off. These creatures are a joy to catch, and snapping a photo with one before releasing it is a worthy reward.
Tarpon
Probably the only creature that trumps Snook when it comes to inshore fishing is Tarpon. The “Silver King” is a true bucket-list fish, as it grows to incredible sizes and puts on an acrobatic display like no other. Leaping out of the water in an attempt to get off your line, Tarpon will leave you lost for words. And its actions often work. The reason this pre-historic fish has survived for so long despite such interest from anglers is that it manages to break the line in many cases!
Fully-grown Tarpon migrate to the deep, so you’ll most likely be going after the young ones on the flats. Be careful, though, as these creatures, for all their fight, are easily spooked. Creep up quietly before casting in order to catch them unaware.
Professional fly anglers love a battle against this beast, which is why fly fishing in Biscayne Bay is so popular. But it really isn’t for the faint-hearted. Whatever level of angler you are, remember to “bow to the King” for your best chance of success.
Mahi Mahi
If you’re venturing offshore from Key Biscayne in summer, you’re sure to come across a Mahi Mahi. Because these creatures are so common along the Gulf Stream, most captains don’t see these fish as a big deal. But we think that’s a mistake! For any visiting angler, a Mahi Mahi represents everything sportfishing is about. Strong, tough-fighting, and delicious in equal measure, Mahi Mahi promise to keep you on your toes, test your strength, and provide some prime meat.
Key Biscayne’s proximity to the Gulf Stream means that Mahi Mahi come right up close to shore. Therefore, you can catch these beauties on a short trip from the dock. Troll the open waters to entice their bite, and get ready to leap into action as the reels screech, before battling it out to land a dazzling creature.
Sailfish
When you think of billfishing in Florida, you probably immediately conjure up an image of Hemingway fighting a Marlin in the Keys. You wouldn’t be far off, but we think that going after Sailfish in Key Biscayne is one step better.
These creatures are the more attractive sibling of the Marlin, and they come right up close in Key Biscayne. They’re also are sure to leave you mesmerized by their sheer size and beauty.
But that’s not all. Sailfish also put up an immense fight to get off your line, so you’ll have to work hard to get that picture-perfect opportunity. Trolling is the preferred method of attracting these fish, but some professional captains also try kite fishing, which looks incredible. The more adventurous angler can even try landing one on the fly, which requires some almighty skill and strength. Come in fall and winter for the best results, but beware – whatever technique you try, it won’t be easy!
And More!
We said there were too many fish to name in this article, so that was a shortlist of our favorites. However, when you target any of these creatures, you’re sure to come into contact with a whole load of other strong, exciting, and delicious fish.
Inshore, Snook and Tarpon rub shoulders with beauties such as Redfish, Permit, Snappers, Jack Crevalle, and even Sharks, offering up a real mixed bag when casting your line. Along the edge of the bay, the reefs hold Grouper, Cobia, Barracuda, Kingfish, and Amberjack, so there’s plenty of bottom fishing and trolling action.
However, the real prizes come in the deep waters. Blackfin Tuna and Wahoo follow the Gulf Stream, while Marlin and Swordfish can be found beyond. Wherever you go, you’re in for a treat!
How to Go Fishing in Key Biscayne
With so many fish occupying Key Biscayne’s fishing grounds, the next step is finding out how to target them. As water surrounds the “Island Paradise,” there’s no shortage of ways for you to get your fish on here. In fact, life pretty much revolves around fishing, so here are our suggestions for how best to go fishing in Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne Shore Fishing
Beaches, flats, jetties – you name it, Key Biscayne has it. That’s what makes this island the perfect place to go shore fishing. Wherever you are, you’re close to a prime destination to cast your line, and all the area’s inshore favorites are well within reach.
Spend a day with the family on the beach or get your waders and wander into the flats – there’s a whole ocean of fish in store! Whether with a conventional rod and reel or with fly gear, you can target Spanish Mackerel, Jacks, Bonefish, and even Snook and Tarpon without leaving the shore. Get ready for a fun-filled day out with plenty of rewards to take home.
Key Biscayne Bridge Fishing
There’s only one way on and off the island, and that’s the Rickenbacker Bridge. This structure crosses the Intracoastal Waterway, well-known for being one of Florida’s East Coast’s most-prized inshore fishing grounds. Not only will casting from the bridge give you a vantage point unrivaled on shore, but you can also pick a spot far away from land where more fish are biting!
Alongside the bridge, a dedicated fishing pier is always dotted with anglers looking to land a treat. The Bear Cut Bridge section – closer to the key – also offers up great rewards. However, here, you’ll have to fish beneath the bridge and not on it. Whether you’ve got a couple of hours or a full day to spare, casting from or under a bridge in Key Biscayne is an effective use of your time.
Key Biscayne Pier Fishing
We’ve already mentioned one pier on the way onto Key Biscayne, but there’s plenty more where that came from. This town really makes the most of its fishing opportunities, and the number of fishing piers is a testament to that.
Much like casting from a bridge, pier fishing in Key Biscayne gives you elevation that simply doesn’t exist on shore. The benefit of casting from a pier, however, is that you don’t have the noisy distraction of traffic behind you.
Set up camp for the day or indulge in a few hours’ fishing. Try landing anything from Bonefish and Bluefish to Sharks and Barracuda. The most popular piers are on the southern end of the island, where eight piers provide an angler’s paradise on the Island Paradise.
Key Biscayne Charter Fishing
Without a doubt, however, the best way to experience fishing in Key Biscayne is out on the water. From the bay to the Atlantic, a fishing charter is the number one way to get on fish. Choose from small skiffs on the flats, fast bay boats to the reefs, or big offshore sportfishing vessels in the deep, and you’re sure to find something to satisfy your needs.
What’s so good about charter fishing? Well, for starters, you’ll have a professional, local guide on board. Your captain will take you to the sweet spots, and can also help you reel in what you want. If the fish aren’t biting, you’ll just whizz off to where they are! Fishing gear is included, so you can try anything from sight casting to bottom fishing, to trolling, as you go after anything from Snook to Sailfish.
Key Biscayne Fishing Spots
Whether on foot or on a boat, the next thing you need to know is where to go. Located between so many productive bodies of water, there are plenty of prime fishing spots in Key Biscayne. We’ve outlined what we think are the best.
- Rickenbacker Causeway Bridge: We’ll start at the entrance to the key. This productive spot gives you access to the Intracoastal Waterway, with a pier running alongside the bridge for good measure.
- Bear Cut Bridge: While fishing from the last section of the causeway is great, getting under it can be just as productive. Get your waders on and hit the flats beneath the Bear Cut Bridge for your fill of fishing.
- Bill Baggs State Park: The southernmost point of the key is a beautifully-preserved state park, boasting a lighthouse that is considered to be one of the oldest structures in Florida. Here’s where you’ll find those eight piers we mentioned above!
- Biscayne Bay: The whole bay leading towards the Everglades and Florida Keys is an inshore angler’s dream. Go after prized inshore fish and explore the numerous reefs for something tasty to take home.
- Gulf Stream: Just a few miles from shore, the Gulf Stream jets past Key Biscayne, bringing with it a load of big game creatures like Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, and Sailfish.
- Atlantic Ocean: If you want a step up from the Gulf Stream, then head to the deep waters of the Atlantic. Go after Swordfish, Marlin, and many more of the world’s most sought-after fish.
Key Biscayne Fishing Regulations
There’s just one more thing to be aware of when fishing in Key Biscayne, and that’s rules and regulations. The good news is that fishing licenses are covered for all on a Key Biscayne fishing charter and on fishing piers.
Residents of the Sunshine State can also get a free license to fish from shore. However, non-residents will need to pay for a saltwater license if they want to fish from shore. Find out all about how to get one in our handy guide.
We’ve already mentioned the strict seasons for Snook, but many other species are also subject to limits. Most notable is the mandatory catch-and-release policy for Tarpon, however many other limits vary. You can find all of that information on the FWC website.
And You’re Good to Go!
It’s difficult to do such a true angling gem justice in so few words. But trust us – the term Island Paradise is well-deserved! With so much on offer, who wouldn’t love this place? Come fishing in Key Biscayne and you’ll experience the best of all worlds – all just a stone’s throw from downtown Miami!
Have you ever been fishing in Key Biscayne? How was it? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
