Sailfish fishing out of Miami is a winter fishery, worked in about 100 ft of water around Fowey Rocks Lighthouse. Boats leave from Miami and work named reefs, wrecks and an edge a few miles off the beach. This page covers where boats run, the grounds and their depths, how locals fish, and which operators run sailfish trips.
Season off Miami
The season is winter. Some sailfish also show up 2 to 3 miles from Miami Harbor in fall.
For biology and range, see the sailfish guide. For Gulf Stream behavior and the wider coast, read the southeast Atlantic sailfish picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
| Period | Where the fish are |
|---|---|
| Fall | 2 to 3 miles from Miami Harbor |
| Winter | Fowey Rocks Lighthouse area, about 100 ft |
Where Boats Run
Fowey Rocks Lighthouse is the reference point. Boats work from a few miles north of the light to a few miles south of it.
Sailfish are fished in about 100 ft, but the named structures sit at different depths, so the run covers a range from 22 ft to 370 ft.
Grounds and Structure
Six named places anchor the local picture. The numbers are reference marks on the chart, and chart layers are not for navigation.
| Ground | Depth | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Fowey Rocks | 160 ft | |
| O.L. Bodenhamer (Liberty Ship) | 370 ft | About 2 miles off the coast |
| Bache Shoal Reef | Quick boat ride from Miami Harbor | |
| Star Trek Reef | ||
| The Edge | About 3 miles off Miami Beach | |
| Bug Light Shoal | 22 ft |
Fowey Rocks
The lighthouse and rocks are listed as sailfish grounds. The 160 ft figure is the depth listed for the structure, while about 100 ft is where sails are typically fished.
O.L. Bodenhamer (Liberty Ship) Wreck
This wreck lies in 370 ft of water about 2 miles off the coast and is also called Liberty Ship Reef. Sailfish are found here.
Bache Shoal Reef
Bache Shoal Reef is a quick boat ride from Miami Harbor, and sailfish are found here as well.
Star Trek Reef
Star Trek Reef is a named reef where sailfish are found.
The Edge
The Edge is about 3 miles from the coastline, just off Miami Beach.
Bug Light Shoal
Bug Light Shoal is a 22 ft artificial reef and serves as a shallow reference mark on the same chart.
How Sailfish Are Fished Here
Local methods center on live bait. For anything beyond the Miami specifics, see the general billfish technique.
Kite Fishing Live Baits
Kite fishing is the signature local method, with live baits fished from kites.
Slow-Trolling Live Bait
Live bait is also slow-trolled through the same grounds.
Casting to Seen Fish
When sails are spotted, anglers cast live baits on heavy spinning gear.
Reading Flying Fish and Birds
Flying fish and feeding birds are cited as signs of feeding fish. They can guide where to set up, but they show where to look and do not confirm that fish are there.
Who Fishes for Them
These boats share the grounds. A charter day is one way to learn kite fishing before running your own boat.
| Operator | Boat | Capacity | Captain | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Gun Fishing Charters | 41 ft Hatteras convertible | Up to 6 anglers | Nel Martinez | |
| Nomad Fishing Charters | 28 ft Whitewater Open center console | 4 passengers | ||
| Miami Sailfish Charters | 35 ft T Open Fisherman | Christian Sanchez | Key Biscayne | |
| The Reward Fleet | Bayside Marketplace, Miami | |||
| Double Threat Charters | 43 ft Hatteras (built 1972), two 450 HP Cummins | 6 persons |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
FAQ About Sailfish Fishing Out of Miami
When is sailfish season in Miami?
Winter. Some sailfish are 2 to 3 miles from Miami Harbor in fall.
How far do boats run for sailfish?
Boats work the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse area, from a few miles north of it to a few miles south. The Edge sits about 3 miles off Miami Beach.
What depth are sailfish fished in off Miami?
About 100 ft. The named structures range from 22 ft at Bug Light Shoal to 370 ft at the Liberty Ship.
What is the main local method?
Kite fishing with live baits is the main method for sailfish fishing out of Miami. Slow-trolling live bait and casting live baits on heavy spinning gear are also used.
Do charters out of Miami target sailfish?
Yes. Listed operators include Top Gun, Nomad, Miami Sailfish Charters, The Reward Fleet and Double Threat. Departure points include Key Biscayne and Bayside Marketplace.
