Miami’s inshore fishing is a year-round adventure; no matter the month, there’s always something biting in the warm waters of Biscayne Bay and the surrounding flats. However, the best time of year for fishing inshore in Miami often depends on what you want to catch and your desired experience. Each season brings its own conditions and target species, from winter’s clear-water sight fishing to summer’s lively baitfish runs.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the best seasons to fish Miami’s inshore waters: winter, spring, summer, and fall, along with tips for each. We’ll also discuss the best time to fish during the day to maximize your success.
Whether you’re a local angler or planning a charter trip, timing is key for an unforgettable Miami inshore fishing experience.
Winter (December – February)
Winter in Miami may be mild compared to elsewhere, but cooler temperatures affect fish behavior. The good news is that winter brings crystal clear water and excellent sight-fishing conditions on the flats. Lower water temperatures can improve clarity, making spotting fish like bonefish tailing in the shallows easier.
Driven by hunger in cooler water, bonefish remain active and can reach impressive sizes this time of year. In fact, stable winter water temperatures keep bonefish feeding on the flats even when air temperatures drop.
Snook will push into creek mouths and warm backwaters, seeking the warmer pockets around mangroves and canals. In winter, grouper on the deeper reefs sometimes joins species like jack crevalle and mangrove snapper patrolling deeper channels and bay structure.
Tips for Winter Inshore Fishing in Miami:
Fish the warmer part of the day: Unlike other times, winter inshore fish tend to become more active by late morning through mid-afternoon once the sun has warmed the water. Plan to start later and capitalize on the midday bite when bonefish begin tailing on sun-bathed flats and snook emerge from their nighttime hiding spots.
Target winter hangouts: Begin your morning in winter by working deeper channels or holes for species like snapper and grouper. As the day warms, move onto shallow flats for bonefish or work canal mouths for snook, which ambush bait once the shallows heat up. A versatile approach will yield the best results on cooler days.
Take advantage of the shrimp run at night: Winter evenings, especially in December and January, can offer explosive action. During the shrimp run, thousands of shrimp ride outgoing tides, and tarpon and snook are waiting. This is a good time to fish under bridge lights or channel edges. You might hook into tarpon feeding aggressively on the abundant shrimp. Consider a specialized night fishing charter targeting these nocturnal feeders during winter.
Spring (March – May)
Spring marks a transition to warmer weather and some of the most productive fishing of the year in Miami’s inshore waters. As water temperatures rise, the feeding behavior of virtually all species intensifies.
Many local anglers will argue that spring is the best season to fish in Miami inshore, because the variety and volume of fish available can be unparalleled. This is when the first major baitfish migrations of the year kick off, and hungry predators quickly follow.
Tips for Spring Inshore Fishing in Miami:
Target tarpon during the peak: Spring is when landing a tarpon is on your bucket list. Late spring (April–May) is prime tarpon season in Miami. Focus on fishing channels, inlets, and bridge areas at first light or dusk when tarpon are rolling on the surface. Live baits like mullet or crabs drifted with the tide are especially effective in spring. Hooking into a silver king exceeding 80–100 lbs is an unforgettable spring thrill, so come prepared with appropriate tackle (and remember tarpon are catch-and-release only).
Enjoy the variety: Spring brings a bit of everything to Miami’s inshore scene. In a single spring day, you might cast to bonefish tailing on a flat, then spot a school of jack crevalle crashing bait, or even find permit finning on the surface. Keep a versatile arsenal: have a rod ready with a topwater or spoon for jacks and barracuda, and some live shrimp or crabs for bonefish and permit. This season rewards anglers who can adapt to whichever species is before them.
Beat the crowds and wind: Spring’s only minor challenge can be the tail end of the dry season winds. Plan trips on calmer days if possible, and use early mornings to your advantage. The best time to fish in spring is often early morning or late afternoon, when winds are lighter and temperatures are ideal. You’ll also encounter fewer boaters at dawn. Overall, spring offers fantastic fishing without the heavy boat traffic of summer, so take advantage of this window and enjoy the relatively peaceful bays while the bite is on fire.
Summer (June – August)
Summer is the busiest fishing season in Miami for good reason: the longer days and warm waters ignite some of the most explosive inshore action of the year. Early morning and late afternoon are the magic words for summer inshore fishing. At first light, inshore predators take advantage of cooler water and heightened baitfish activity, often feeding aggressively at dawn.
By mid-morning, as the sun climbs high and the temperatures soar into the 90s, many fish retreat to deeper channels or under shade to stay cool, slowing the bite down. Then, come late afternoon and sunset, the cycle repeats with fish re-emerging to hunt in the slightly cooler evening water.
Successful summer anglers know to day fish early, take a mid-day siesta, and possibly head back out for the sundown bite.
Tips for Summer Inshore Fishing in Miami:
Fish at dawn: Set that alarm clock early during summer. The best time to fish on a summer day is the first morning light, from pre-dawn to a couple of hours after sunrise, when water temperatures are slightly down and fish are actively hunting breakfast. You’ll find bonefish tailing in skinny water and snook blasting pilchards in the shallows before the sun gets too intense. Similarly, the hour around sunset can be just as productive. Avoid midday whenever possible, as many fish hunker down in deeper, cooler areas by then.
Beat the heat for snook: Summer is snook season in Miami, and these fish love warm water, but they feed most aggressively in the low-light periods. Try targeting snook at dawn or night around dock lights and inlet currents. Focus on outgoing tides in the evening or incoming dawn when water movement is strong. Snook will smash topwater plugs and fly-lined live baits in summer twilight hours. Take advantage of their increased summer appetite, but remember, harvest is generally closed in summer; it’s catch-and-release primarily fun with these hard-fighting fish.
Stay prepared and safe: Miami’s summer climate can be intense, so pack accordingly. Sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, polarized sunglasses, and plenty of water are must-haves for any summer fishing trip. Many anglers opt for a day fishing charter of 4–6 hours in summer, usually at sunrise, to get the best bite without the most prolonged exposure to midday heat.
Fall (September – November)
Fall is a favorite season for many Miami inshore anglers. As the scorching summer temperatures ease, many game fish sense the change and start feeding aggressively to fatten up for winter. Baitfish are plentiful in the fall, and some famous migration events (like the mullet run along the Atlantic coast) send waves of food through Miami’s waters, triggering predators to go into overdrive.
Inshore, water temperatures gradually drop from summer peaks, often sparking increased activity among species like snook, redfish, and tarpon. In fact, fall is considered the redfish season in Miami; these bronze bruisers become most active in autumn and often gather in larger schools on the flats and in mangrove creeks.
It’s an excellent time to sight-cast to tailing redfish on shallow grassy flats, especially in areas like Flamingo or Biscayne Bay’s northern shorelines.
Tips for Fall Inshore Fishing in Miami:
Dial in on redfish: Autumn is your time to shine if you love redfish. As noted, fall is the prime redfish season in Miami waters. Redfish feed aggressively in preparation for winter, often tailing in shallow water or busting bait on the edges of flats. Look for them around mangrove shorelines and grassy flats on an incoming tide.
Fish the fringes for snook and tarpon: During fall, snook begin transitioning from the beaches to inland waters, and juvenile tarpon remain in their warm-weather hangouts. Focus on mangrove-fringed shorelines and creek mouths; these spots are hot in fall. A falling tide in the evening can be especially productive, pulling bait out of the creeks and drawing snook to the creek mouths.
Watch for baitfish runs: Autumn in South Florida is famous for bait migrations. Inshore, you should watch for schools of mullet and other baitfish streaming through bays and along shorelines. Predator fish are never far behind when these bait schools are on the move. If you notice “nervous water” or see birds diving, it’s likely a feeding frenzy in progress.
Plan Your Miami Inshore Fishing Adventure!
No matter the season, Miami’s inshore waters offer something special for anglers. From winter bonefish on tranquil flats to summer snook at sunrise, there’s always a good time to fish here in Miami. The key is to tune in to the seasonal patterns and optimal times outlined above. With this knowledge, you can plan a trip that aligns with the best season to fish for your target species and maximize your chances of success.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity of fishing inshore in Miami. Get in on the action and plan your trip with us! Feel free to contact us with any questions about seasons or to book your charter. We’ll help you choose the optimal time and set you up for a successful outing.
The fish are waiting year-round. Now that you know when to go, the next step is to experience it yourself. Tight lines, and we hope to see you on the water in Miami soon!
