Top Fishin' Spots In South Florida

We asked some of South Florida's best charter boat fishing captains where some of the best fishing spots are that no one really knows about. It took some arm twistin', but they gave up their favorites. Big thanks to Capt. Dave Kostyo, Capt. Chris Johnson and Capt. Bouncer Smith. Check out their top five locations.

Seven Mile Bridge Rubble

West of Sombrero Light in 105 feet of water (can be found on any chart, most tackle shops in the Marathon area will give you the exact coordinates)

This is a great area where you can catch yellowtail and mutton snapper, grouper, amberjack and jack crevalle year round. In the winter, you'll be able to land sailfish and king mackeral. During the summer, permit abound in this area.

Ocean Off Haulover Inlet To Government Cut

One of Miami's best kept fishing secrets is the variety of fish that can be caught with live shrimp drifting 100 to 300 yard off the beaches from Haulover Inlet to Government Cut. This strip of coast produces hundreds of tarpon from 20 to 180 pounds every winter. If you needed more, the action with snapper, jacks, blue runners, bluefish, and spanish mackerel will keep angler young and old smiling for days. The best time is October through April.

Government Cut

During the winter this is tarpon central. There are three distinct areas that the tarpon tend to hang out in. The north side of the north jetty to as far north as 18th Street on Miami Beach. The south side of the south jetty out to the range markers. This area is in front of Fisher Island. Finally, the deep water of the main channel from the ferry boat landing on Fisher Island out to where the channel turns to the left when heading out to sea. Besides tarpon, there are also mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, grouper, permit, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, and cobia that can be caught there.

Key Biscayne

The area from the yellow can buoy just south of the south end of Key Biscayne back north to Bear Cut at the north end of Key Biscayne in water from 80 – 200 feet in depth. There are many artificial reef located in this area that hold good bottom fishing for mutton snapper, grouper, amberjack, African pompano, and spinner sharks. Fishing surface lines will get you sailfish, kingfish, dolphin (mahi-mahi), bonito, and some wahoo.

Dumfoundling Bay

This bay and the area around it holds lots of tarpon, jack crevalle, snook, and certain times of year, big black drum.