Sport Fishing Miami:

Ever thought about sport fishing Miami? Well, there's no better place in the world to go sport fishing near a major metropolis than a place like Miami. The Gulf Stream brings deep water and pelagic fish to within minutes of a departure from the dock. And for those with less sturdy stomachs, the calmer waters of Biscayne Bay teem with species such as tarpon, bonefish, and permit, to name just a few.

Sport fishing Miami normally begins at one of the marinas that dot the shore. To the north are high-rise buildings and to the south is the open expanse of Biscayne Bay. At different times of the year, anglers casting jigs and lures can encounter Spanish mackerel, bluefish, tarpon, bonefish, redfish, speckled trout, permit, jack crevalle and ladyfish in the bay. For the more laid back fisherman who are sport fishing Miami, a piece of shrimp soaked on the bottom will entice mangrove snappers, sheepshead, or any number of other bottom dwellers.

Those who really want a thrill while sport fishing in Miami will head offshore through the wide channel of Government Cut. The Gulf Stream beckons, where blue water species will be chasing down the abundant bait that spills out of Biscayne Bay and also migrates through the offshore waters. Flying fish can be seen soaring over the waves, and the surface is often pulsed by schools of pilchards or Spanish sardines keeping a wary eye on predators below.

The prize catch here, offshore sport fishing Miami, is the sailfish, which averages about 60 pounds and 6 feet in length. This is one of the fastest swimmers in the sea; it has been clocked at 50 miles per hour. But that is not what makes it spectacular. A sailfish, once hooked, will always perform acrobatic feats, jumping completely clear of the water or 'tailwalking' until it is exhausted. Because the sailfish is not good table fare, most are released alive; a few are taken as sport fishing Miami trophies.

When the sailfish are not biting there are literally dozens of other sport fish offshore Miami to target: kingfish, dolphin (mahi mahi), wahoo, cobia, grouper, many species of snapper---the list is almost endless. For a spectacular fight, though the fish are normally quite a bit smaller than sailfish, the dolphin can't be beat. This is a magnificent blue and green fish, which, pound for pound, will rival the sailfish in acrobatic ability. A few dolphin reach 60 pounds; most are in the twenty pound class or smaller.

The dolphin is a delicious eating fish, and there is considerable pressure on this species. Fortunately dolphin grow very fast. In an aquarium setting they have been observed to grow from a pound to over 30 pounds in 8 months. This phenomenal growth rate may not be duplicated in the wild, but the fish reach maturity in just a few months, and their stocks are in good shape.

Most anglers return home from sport fishing Miami with weary arms. And when the fishing is done, those who still have the strength can head to downtown Miami to sample the nightlife.