Miami Deep Sea Fishing Seasons
South Florida’s offshore marine habitat offers endless opportunities to catch a wide variety of gamefish species year-round.
Top Species Calendar
| Blackfin Tuna | King Mackerel | Mahi-Mahi | Sailfish | Wahoo | |
| January | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| February | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| March | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| April | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| May | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| June | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| July | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| August | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| September | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| October | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| November | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| December | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 1 = Possible | |||||
| 2 = Very Good | |||||
| 3 = Excellent | |||||
Monthly Fishing Synopsis
January
The wintertime in Miami is prime sailfish season. The waters are cool and when the north winds blow, sailfish can be found feeding on the surface – often times in large numbers. It’s not unusual to catch and release 5 or more sailfish on peak days when conditions are just right.
These fish can be targeted using live bait like goggle eyes, threadfin herring and pilchards. The live baits can be freelined, slow trolled or suspended from fishing kites. These prized trophy fish are found in depths from 75-250 feet. The area off Miami Beach has many locations known to hold a concentration of the bait fish the sailfish are foraging for.
This time of year, there are also many other species feeding in the same areas. Your surface baits will also attract the attention of mahi-mahi, king mackerel, wahoo, tuna and barracuda. Dropping your baits to the bottom offer the possibility of hooking up with snapper, grouper, amberjacks, and the occasional cobia.
February
As wintertime peaks in South Florida, migratory sailfish are still in large supply and are one of the most sought-after fish this time of year. As colds fronts move through, they bring northernly winds that oppose the north flowing current of the Gulf Stream, producing large ocean swells. The sailfish like to ride atop these swells as they migrate south – this also makes them easier to locate.
Competing with the sailfish you will also encounter kingfish, mahi-mahi, backfin tuna, wahoo and plenty of sharks. Sharks are always around and can unexpectedly take your baits intended for other more desirable species. More regularly sharks will dine on your catch. As you’re reeling in your mahi or kingfish, sharks will regularly extract their share. This is why sharks are referred to as the tax man.
This is also a great time of year to target trophy sized swordfish off Florida’s southeastern coast. While swordfish are available year-round, February often produces some of the largest fish. These behemoths are pursued in very deep water approaching 1800 feet. During the day, swordfish feed near the bottom and very specialized gear is necessary at these great depths – usually electric reels with large spools of heavy line. At night, these monsters rise up to feed near the surface and are caught using heavy conventional tackle.
February also means it’s time for the Miami International Boat Show. This is one of the largest and most anticipated boat shows in the country with thousands of boats and thousands of exhibits. If you’re into boating or fishing, it’s well worth a visit.
March
Spring is approaching and in Southeast Florida this means windy conditions will be prevalent along the coast. On a positive note, these windy conditions can really ignite the bite offshore. The waves produced by these winds will make it uncomfortable to fish on smaller vessels, but luckily our boats are more the tough enough to handle the winds of March and put you on the fish safely.
With springtime, comes the northerly migration of baitfish and the ocean-going predators that chase them. In the fall, the baitfish moved south seeking warmer water, but now the baitfish return north as the waters warm. Near these schools of baitfish that traverse the offshore waters, you will find the usual suspects: sailfish, mahi, kingfish, blackfin tuna, Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Of particular note, there is always a chance to encounter very big “slammer” dolphin (mahi) that have been fattening up on the plentiful baitfish for months. Some of these mahi can approach 40, 50, or more pounds.
On the deeper reefs and wrecks, amberjacks will be congregating in large numbers for their yearly spawn. Also known as “reef donkeys” for their formidable size and strength, these brutes can approach 100 pounds. If you hook into one of these, it will feel like you’re trying to pull up the titanic.
March is a great month for king mackerel (aka kingfish). These fish are known for their acrobatic leaps out of the water and their lighting fast runs. One good method to entice a strike is slow trolling a live blue runner at mid-depth. There will be no doubting you’ve a kingfish when the line starts smoking off your reel.
April
April is a beautiful month to be on the water – the temperatures have warmed, and the winds have subsided a bit except for the now less frequent northeast wind, and the spring bait migration is still in full swing.
Venturing offshore in the springtime you’re likely to see boats flying kites. These fishing kites are used to suspend baits and keep them right on the water’s surface. It’s one of the top methods to fish live baits off southeast Florida’s coast. Gamefish often hunt for their prey from below and bait suspended from a kite looks natural and enticing. Bait suspended near the surface using this method also produces a lot of noise and vibration which is like a dinner bell for any of the target species.
Anytime the wind blows from the northeast, the sailfish action can really heat up. If you’re after a sailfish, be prepared, check the weather, and book your trip when you see the forecast calling for the wind to turn and come from the north to northeast.
May
This month is generally one of the best all-around months to fish in South Florida. All the major species are available, and in abondance – plus the weather is usually very nice. There are still plenty of sailfish around, big hungry mahi and kingfish near the reefs. Bottom fishing will be good for grouper although you will have to release them because it’s still closed season.
This month also provides anglers with predicable opportunities for the largest blackfin tuna of the year. These tuna like low light conditions and it is best to target them on overcast days, or in the early morning, or late afternoon, near dusk. You will typically find them beyond the reef in water up to 300 feet. You can spot them on surface feeding on bait and they are often accompanied by birds that follow their feeding frenzy hoping to get a meal off their scraps. The most popular method to fish for these tasty fish is by chumming with live pilchards. But if bait is not available, trolling with tuna feathers can induce a strike.
May is also the time when bottom angles begin targeting mutton snapper during their annual spawning season. In the spring and early summer months, these delicious fish gather on the deeper reefs within a few days of the full moon. If you catch “the spawn” just right, the fishing can be outstanding. These fish usually go from 10 to 20 pounds and are excellent table fare. For even more spectacular full moon mutton snapper fishing, we offer exclusive trips to Bimini, Bahamas in the months of May and June.
June
In June the seas start to flatten making the offshore waters more accessible. Bottom fishermen are getting ready as grouper season opens and the mutton spawn will reignite during this month’s full moon.
June is all about the heat. Offshore in the waters near or beyond the reefs sailfish, wahoo, kingfish, bonito and sharks will be on the prowl looking for an easy meal. You will be more successful if you follow the fish feeding patterns. Many predators can be found near the surface in the early mornings and late afternoons. As the day heats up, fish lower in the water column as the fish try to beat the heat.
With often flat calm seas this is also a good time to venture farther offshore, into the blue water, in search of schools of mahi-mahi (aka dolphin). Look for color changes in the water as well as eddies where fish may be congregated. You could also encounter weed lines – long stings or patches of sargassum weeds the have been stitched together by the ocean currents and prevailing winds. These weed lines tend to hold bait just under the surface which in turn attract target species such as mahi, wahoo, tuna and tripletail. If you’ve never seen a tripletail, it’s an ugly prehistoric looking fish, but also one of the best tasting fish that swims – some people liken it to lobster.
July
The summer continues to heat up and the seas are calm, sometimes flat calm. Some of the common targets such as sailfish, tuna and kingfish become more difficult to find and harder to get them to bite. But there are plenty of good quality fish if you know where to find them.
The prevailing east to south easterly winds will help push and maintain the Gulf Stream current close to Florida’s coastline. The steady light winds will also concentrate and unify large masses of sargassum weed to form a unique offshore habitat for bait fish and predators alike. The once shattered schools of dolphin (mahi) have further congregated to form larger schools of hungry fish. If you can find them, these schools of fish have a ravenous appetite only accentuated by their competitive nature. If you toss a live bait into one of these schools, it won’t take long for a strike.
These weed lines are also home to wahoo which often lurk much deeper down, under the weeds, and out of sight. If you find yourself stopped adjacent to a weedline, send down a live bait or heavy jig – you might be rewarded with a nice wahoo. If you ever wanted to see or catch a marlin this is prime territory. It’s not uncommon to see marlin free jumping near, or feeding on, schoolie dolphin. If you see a marlin and want to give it a shot, bridle one of the schoolie dolphin on the heaviest tackle you have and slow troll the area.
As one of the calmest months of the year, July is also an excellent time to venture further offshore, to depths approaching 2000 feet, and target swordfish. South Florida is one of the spawning grounds for the entire Atlantic population of swordfish. In fishing there are never any guarantees, but the chances of hooking one of these brutes with an experienced captain is almost 50/50.
August
This month brings even warmer weather and some of the calmest sea conditions of the year. The highlight of the month will be the schools of mahi working the weed lines offshore. Anglers will be looking for birds, debris and baitfish along the weed lines and current eddies. Finding any of these signs should put you in proximity to dolphin (mahi) feeding in the area.
Closer to the reefs bonito will be plentiful this time of year. Although they’re not a good eating fish, they are tough fighters and will test your angling skills on light tackle. The biggest problem will be getting your baits past the bonito to one of the more desirable target species. Kingfish and blackfin will be present but they are a less frequent catch in the month of August.
Bottom fishermen will be targeting mutton and yellowtail snappers. The muttons can be caught using very long leaders over bottom structure or on some of the area wrecks. Both species can also be targeted by anchoring and chumming over hard bottom. Live baits and cut bait can all produce some quality fish that you can bring home to your dinner table.
September
As the weather starts to cool slightly, you will begin to see the initial trickle of baitfish beginning their fall migration. Following these early baitfish will be some of the target species, like kingfish, that were less conspicuous during the summer months. Plenty of bonito will still be wreaking havoc all over the deeper reefs and beyond. Schools of dolphin will also be around for those willing to put the time in necessary to find them.
Bottom fishermen may try some nighttime anchoring and chumming on the reefs from 50-120 feet. Yellowtail, mutton and mangrove snappers are usually very cooperative night feeders. This is a relaxing and productive way to enjoy South Florida’s beautiful night sky.
October
This is a transition month along the Southeast Florida coast. Up north along the Atlantic seaboard, the temperatures have been steadily dropping. The baitfish know it’s time to start heading south for the winter. As is the case in all of nature, where the food goes, predators will follow. Leading the pack will be the mackerels – kingfish (aka king mackerel) and Spanish mackerel. There will still be lots of bonitos on the deeper reefs.
Blackfin tunas, dolphin (mahi) and wahoo can also be caught along the deeper reef edges and just beyond. Some early migratory sailfish will join local resident fish to provide an improving opportunity to target these fish when the conditions are right. For sailfish, this usually means when the winds blow out the northeasterly quadrant.
If you are visiting South Florida, mid-October also signals the start of stone crab season. I’m not talking about catching them, I’m talking about eating them. Starting October 15, area restaurants begin serving these delicacies of the sea. If you’ve never tried them, they are my favorite – highly recommended.
November
The fall bait migration has peaked and the area is loaded with bait and the fat fish that have been feeding on them. Kingfish (aka king mackerel), Spanish mackerel, bluefish and sharks will be some of the targets of opportunity along the area reefs. Further offshore, you will encounter mahi, wahoo, blackfin tuna and bonitos.
Anglers how enjoy chasing sailfish start to get giddy when the air cools. With any passing cold front, the chance of targeting sailfish becomes and ever-increasing opportunity as we move towards the winter months. Whenever the winds blow from the north it seems to really ignite the sailfish bite.
This time of year also welcomes the arrival of very large swordfish. These large breeder swordfish make their way to our waters in the winter months a part of their spawning cycle. Some of the largest swordfish are taken during the coming months. As the winds of winter increase, opportunities to venture far offshore to the spawning grounds will decrease. But if you are flexible and mindful of the weather, you may get a shot at one of these magnificent fish.
December
December is peak sailfish season along Florida’s coast. The cold fronts are coming through the area with increasing frequency. Aside from the temperature drop that the name “cold front” implies, it’s the change in wind direction that has biggest impact on the sailfish activity and our ability to spot find them.
When the wind turns and comes from a northerly direction, it directly pushes against the northbound current of the Gulf Stream. These opposing forces create an ocean swell the sailfish use to ride the waves – similar to a porpoise riding the bow wave of large ocean-going freighter. It facilitates their southern migration and keeps them near the surface.
During these winter months, sailfish anglers prowl the area known as sailfish alley looking for their quarry. Sailfish alley is a corridor of known sailfish activity stitched together along the coast by natural and artificial bottom features known to hold and bounded by the optimum depths of 75-250 feet of water. Here you will find the sailfish riding the waves – often in packs of up to 10 fish – actively feeding on their prey.
Once spotted, anglers work carefully to present their bait in the hopes of inducing a bite from one of the sailfish. Near these same congregations of bait you will find many other gamefish like: dolphin (mahi) kingfish, tuna, wahoo, barracuda and sharks.
