Biscayne Bay, Government Cut, and a world-class fishery hidden in plain sight. Biscayne Bay has world-class bonefish and permit flats. Government Cut is a top snook/tarpon spot. Proximity to the Gulf Stream means offshore is 10 minutes away.
Centropomus undecimalis
Year-round. Spring spawning run at Government Cut. Summer night fishing under dock lights. Early morning on outgoing tide at Haulover Inlet.
Slot limit 28"–33" (Atlantic). Seasonal closures Dec 1–Feb 28 and Jun 1–Aug 31. One fish per day. Verify FWC.
7' medium-heavy spinning. 20–30lb braid. 30–40lb fluorocarbon leader. Government Cut rocks demand heavy tackle.
Medium-heavy combo for Government Cut snook. Handles 20–30lb braid against jetty rocks.
Battle-tested on Miami snook.
Abrasion-resistant for Government Cut rocks. Invisible in Biscayne water.
Snook cut weak leader.
Topwater at Biscayne mangrove edges at dawn.
Topwater snook action.
Megalops atlanticus
Spring (April–May) migration. Summer in Biscayne Bay. Evening incoming tides at Government Cut concentrate tarpon.
Tarpon catch-and-release only. Special permit required. Verify FWC rules.
Heavy spinning or conventional. 30–50lb braid. 80–100lb fluorocarbon leader. Set hook hard. Expect 30+ minute fights.
High-capacity reel for Miami tarpon. Drag power at Government Cut.
Tarpon are strong.
High-visibility braided. No stretch for hook sets.
Tarpon demand strong line.
Premium mono leader for head shakes.
Go heavy.
Albula vulpes
Year-round. Low tide at first light on Biscayne Bay flats. Miami has world-class bonefish — a rare urban flats fishery.
Catch-and-release recommended. Verify FWC regulations.
Light spinning or fly rod. 8–10lb braid. 12–15lb fluorocarbon leader. Bonefish demand finesse and long casts.
The classic bonefish fly pattern. Essential for Biscayne Bay sight-casting.
Bonefish can't resist a Crazy Charlie.
Lightweight for all-day wading Miami bonefish flats. Smooth drag.
Bonefish demand light tackle finesse.
Sensitive rod for long-distance sight-casting to Miami bonefish.
Biscayne Bay flats need reach and sensitivity.
Smooth fly rod perfect for Biscayne Bay bonefish. Quick action for bonefish runs.
Fly-casting to Miami bonefish is pure magic.
Trachinotus falcatus
Year-round in Biscayne Bay. Miami offers consistent permit opportunity — few other US coastal cities can say that. Sight-fishing at low tide.
Catch-and-release only. No harvest permit. Verify FWC regulations.
Light spinning or 8–10wt fly rod. 10–12lb braid. 12–15lb fluorocarbon. Permit are the saltwater flats' ultimate challenge.
The most effective permit fly pattern. Essential for Biscayne Bay sight-casting.
Permit flies demand precision — Merkin delivers.
Sensitive rod for long-distance permit sight-casting on Biscayne flats.
Permit demand finesse and reach.
Premium fly rod for world-class Biscayne Bay permit sight-casting.
Permit are the ultimate flats challenge.
Catch fresh blue crabs for Biscayne Bay permit. Live crabs are lethal.
Fresh blue crabs are the premier permit bait.
Government Cut is Miami's pulse. Incoming and outgoing tides concentrate snook and tarpon. Biscayne Bay flats offer world-class bonefish and permit sight-fishing on low tide. The Gulf Stream is only 10 minutes offshore — offshore sailfish and mahi within reach.
Baitfish and tarpon concentrate. Biscayne weed lines.
Snook push into mangrove creeks. Permit move deeper.
Government Cut funnel. Snook and tarpon concentrate.
Sight-fish bonefish and permit on Biscayne flats.
Tarpon migration. Snook spawn at Government Cut. Permit active on flats.
Night snook at docks. Tarpon in Biscayne. Offshore mahi and sailfish.
Bonefish and permit peak. Snook returning. Offshore action.
Permit at peak. Bonefish excellent. Government Cut snook strong.
World-class Miami-Dade fishing awaits. Check tides and forecasts.
Fishing regulations change. Always verify current rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) before harvest. FishSonar.com is not responsible for regulatory changes after publication.