Southeast Coast Fishing Guide — Your Complete Resource
Florida’s Southeast Coast — stretching from Stuart down through Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami — is one of the most diverse fishing regions in the state. The Gulf Stream runs closer to shore here than anywhere else in the continental United States, putting world-class offshore fishing within a few miles of the beach. Meanwhile, the Intracoastal Waterway, coastal rivers, and the Everglades backcountry offer incredible inshore action.
And then there’s the freshwater wildcard — South Florida is the only place in the country where you can catch peacock bass, an exotic tropical species that fights like nothing else in freshwater.
Top Species
Sailfish — The Southeast Coast is the sailfish capital of the United States. The annual sailfish migration runs from November through March, with peak action in December and January. Kite fishing with live bait is the preferred method. The deep water is so close to shore that you can be in sailfish territory within 15 minutes of leaving the inlet.
Mahi-Mahi — Available offshore from spring through fall. Found around weed lines, floating debris, and current edges in the Gulf Stream. Fast, acrobatic, colorful, and one of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Snook — Found throughout the Intracoastal, around bridges, seawalls, docks, and in the coastal rivers and canals. Southeast Florida snook fishing is excellent year-round, with peak action in summer and fall. Live bait and topwater plugs around structure are the most productive methods.
Peacock Bass — South Florida’s unique freshwater trophy. Found in the canals and lakes of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Aggressive, colorful, and explosive on topwater. Not found anywhere else in the U.S. outside of South Florida. No closed season and a two-fish bag limit (only one over 17 inches).
Tarpon — The coastal inlets and bridges hold tarpon from March through September. The Jupiter Inlet, Boynton Inlet, and Government Cut in Miami are all prime spots. Live mullet, crabs, and large swimbaits are the top producers.
Kingfish (King Mackerel) — Found nearshore and offshore along the reef line. Fast, toothy, and exciting on light tackle. Available year-round with peak action in winter and spring. Slow trolling live bait along the reef edge is the standard technique.
Snapper — Yellowtail, mutton, and mangrove snapper are plentiful along the reef line and around structure. Great eating and fun to catch. Chumming and using light tackle with small hooks produces the best results.
Sharks — Blacktip, spinner, bull, and hammerhead sharks patrol the beaches and inlets. Shore-based shark fishing from the beach is hugely popular along the Southeast Coast. Heavy tackle and cut bait or live bait are essential.
Top Fishing Spots
Jupiter Inlet — One of the best all-around fishing spots in Southeast Florida. Snook, tarpon, jack crevalle, and snapper stack up around the jetties and bridge. The nearshore reef holds kingfish, sailfish, and bottom fish.
Lake Ida and Airport Lakes (Delray Beach) — Some of the most productive peacock bass fisheries in South Florida. Wade-able banks and kayak-friendly canals loaded with peacocks. Topwater plugs and small jigs are deadly.
Hillsboro Inlet (Pompano Beach) — Excellent snook and tarpon fishing around the jetties. The nearshore reef just outside the inlet holds sailfish, kingfish, and bonito. One of the most accessible offshore fishing launch points.
Government Cut (Miami Beach) — The main shipping channel into Miami holds big tarpon, snook, and sharks. The jetties are fishable from shore. The offshore reefs just south of the cut are productive for snapper and grouper.
Everglades National Park (Flamingo) — The southern tip of the mainland and the gateway to backcountry fishing in the Everglades. Snook, redfish, tarpon, and trout in a pristine, remote setting. Requires a boat or kayak. Worth the trip.
Palm Beach Inlet — Deep water access right from the inlet. Sailfish, mahi, and kingfish are often caught within sight of the luxury condos. The inlet itself holds snook and tarpon.
Biscayne Bay — Massive shallow bay stretching from Miami to the upper Keys. Bonefish on the flats, snook around the shorelines, and permit around the channels and wrecks. Less pressured than the Keys but equally productive.
Best Times to Fish
Spring (March-May) — Tarpon show up in the inlets. Mahi-mahi start running offshore. Snook are active around structure. Peacock bass are spawning and aggressive. One of the best all-around seasons.
Summer (June-August) — Peak snook season. Tarpon are in the inlets and along the beaches. Offshore fishing for mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna is strong. Morning and evening bites are best due to heat. Afternoon thunderstorms are daily — plan around them.
Fall (September-November) — Mullet run hits the beaches and inlets, triggering a feeding frenzy. Snook, tarpon, jacks, bluefish, sharks, and everything else gorge on migrating mullet. This is the most exciting time to fish the Southeast Coast. Sailfish start showing up in November.
Winter (December-February) — Sailfish season peaks. Nearshore kingfish action is excellent. Peacock bass slow down in cold snaps but fire up between fronts on warm days. Snook are less active but still catchable around warm water areas.
Peacock Bass — Southeast Florida’s Secret Weapon
Peacock bass deserve special attention because they’re unique to this region. Originally from South America, peacocks were introduced to South Florida’s canal system in 1984 and have thrived in the warm water. They’re aggressive, fight hard, and hit topwater lures with explosive strikes.
Best spots: The canal systems in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Airport Lakes in Delray Beach, the C-14 canal in Fort Lauderdale, and the canals around Coral Springs are all productive.
Best methods: Topwater plugs (Heddon Torpedo, Rapala Skitter Pop), small jigs, and live shiners. Fish early morning when they’re most active. Target shaded banks, bridge pilings, and culverts.
No boat needed — most peacock bass canals are fishable from the bank.
Recommended Gear
Inshore (snook, tarpon): 7′ medium-heavy rod, 3000-4000 reel, 15-20lb braid, 30lb fluorocarbon leader Offshore (sailfish, mahi): 7′ heavy rod, 5000-6000 reel, 30-50lb braid, appropriate leader for target species Peacock bass: 6’6″-7′ medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10-15lb braid, 20lb fluorocarbon leader Must-have lures: DOA Terror Eyz (snook), Hogy Epoxy Jig (offshore), Heddon Torpedo (peacocks), live pilchards (everything) Live bait: Pilchards, goggle eyes (for sailfish), live mullet (for tarpon), live shiners (for peacocks)
Fishing Charters on the Southeast Coast
From sailfish trips out of Palm Beach to Everglades backcountry excursions, the Southeast Coast has charters for every type of fishing. Check out our Southeast Coast charter reviews for honest recommendations.
Check back for our Southeast Coast Fishing Report — covering conditions from Stuart to Miami.