Swordfish fishing out of Miami centers on fall, with boats running to named structure close to the beach and to about 18 miles offshore on listed trips. This page covers when the fish are around, how far boats run, which grounds carry names, how swordfish are fished locally, and who runs trips, so you can decide where to look. It does not promise fish. For the full port picture, see Miami.
When swordfish are around Miami
Fall is the swordfish window out of Miami. FishingBooker’s Miami fall guide says: "The fall months are the perfect time to target the biggest of predators."
Two operators out of this port list full-day swordfish trips. For how the season plays out along the coast, see swordfish across the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
| Season | Fish to target | Listed trip length |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | swordfish | 8 hours |
How far Miami boats run for swordfish
Two listed distances matter here: an 18-mile offshore run and a wreck about 2 miles off the coast.
The 18-mile trip
Miami Sailfish Charters lists an 8-hour swordfish trip to 18 miles offshore. The operator departs from the Key Biscayne area.
The Liberty Ship
The Liberty Ship, the O.L. Bodenhamer wreck, sits in 370 ft about 2 miles off the coast. Some anglers have landed swordfish there.
Grounds and structure off Miami
These are the named grounds off Miami, ordered from most to least relevant to swordfish.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Distance/notes |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty Ship (O.L. Bodenhamer) | 370 | about 2 mi off the coast |
| The Edge | about 3 mi from the coastline, off Miami Beach | |
| Fowey Rocks | 160 | lighthouse and rocks, sailfish grounds |
| Bache Shoal Reef | quick boat ride from Miami Harbor | |
| Star Trek Reef | ||
| Bug Light Shoal | 22 | artificial reef |
You can view these named spots against the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Liberty Ship (O.L. Bodenhamer wreck)
The wreck sits in 370 ft, about 2 miles off the coast. Swordfish have been landed here.
The Edge
The Edge drops off about 3 miles from the coastline, just off Miami Beach.
Fowey Rocks
Fowey Rocks is a lighthouse and rocks in 160 ft, listed as sailfish grounds. Other billfish are covered in our billfish fishing guides.
Bache Shoal Reef
Bache Shoal Reef is a quick boat ride from Miami Harbor.
Star Trek Reef
Star Trek Reef is a named local reef.
Bug Light Shoal
Bug Light Shoal is an artificial reef in 22 ft. Compared with the 370 ft and 160 ft listings, it is a reef landmark and too shallow to count as swordfish water.
How swordfish are fished from Miami
Locally, swordfish are fished on full-day, 8-hour charters offered by Top Gun and Miami Sailfish Charters. For rigs, baits and depths, see the swordfish species guide.
Who fishes for swordfish out of Miami
Three operators out of this port list swordfish.
Top Gun Fishing Charters
- 41 ft Hatteras convertible
- Up to 6 anglers
- Capt. Nel Martinez
- Lists the full-day 8-hour swordfish trip
Miami Sailfish Charters
- 35 ft T Open Fisherman
- Capt. Christian Sanchez
- Departs from the Key Biscayne area
- Lists the 8-hour trip to 18 miles offshore
Double Threat Charters
- 43 ft Hatteras built in 1972
- Two 450 HP Cummins engines
- 6 persons
FAQ: Swordfish fishing out of Miami
When is swordfish season in Miami?
Fall is the season for swordfish fishing out of Miami. FishingBooker’s Miami fall guide calls the fall months the perfect time to target swordfish.
How far offshore do Miami swordfish trips go?
Miami Sailfish Charters lists an 8-hour swordfish trip to 18 miles offshore. The Liberty Ship wreck is a separate, closer option, about 2 miles off the coast.
Where have swordfish been caught near Miami?
Some anglers have landed swordfish at the Liberty Ship, the O.L. Bodenhamer wreck, in 370 ft.
How deep is the Liberty Ship wreck?
The Liberty Ship wreck sits in 370 ft, about 2 miles off the coast.
Who runs swordfish trips out of Miami?
Top Gun Fishing Charters runs a 41 ft Hatteras convertible. Miami Sailfish Charters runs a 35 ft T Open Fisherman. Double Threat Charters runs a 43 ft Hatteras built in 1972.
