Miami fishing guide for 

bonefish tarpon and permit

This is one of my favorite times of the year for fishing. Fall is slowly settling in and with the cooler weather that will soon be upon us and the shorter hours of daylight it will bring a variety of interesting players to the table. Already migrating bait is making its way down the east coast and into Biscayne Bay. Large schools of Pilchards, Threadfin and Spanish Sardines are making their way south ahead of the annual Mullet run. With these baits will be a variety of predators including Tarpon, Jacks, Bluefish, Mackerel, Snook, Seatrout, Barracuda and Sharks. Look for diving birds and surface commotion to locate the bait from a distance and as you approach look for the obvious dark spot that will be a concentrated school of bait. Artificial's that simulate the size and color of the baits present will work well as will live baits free lined or suspended under a float. This type of fishing is as Forest Gump would say "like a box of chocolates cause you never know what your gonna get". This is what makes this fishing so much fun, one cast may bring a ten or fifteen pound Jack while the next bite might find a large Tarpon going airborne at the end of your line. Not every school of bait will be actively pursued by these gamefish so if you you don't get any action continue looking for baits that are being harassed from bellow. Also look for areas where these traveling bait schools will be vulnerable to ambush. Look for jetty's, points and drop offs. Often there will be predators laying in wait in these areas conserving their energy and allowing their prey to come to them. Bait schools can be located along the beaches and in and around the ocean inlets. Schools will also be moving along the ocean side of the barrier Islands and in around the many creeks in south Biscayne Bay.

Summer fishing equals hot weather and light winds. It also is synonymous with warm water temperatures and tailing Bonefish and Permit. If you have never had the rush of casting a fly or bait to a large Bonefish or Permit in skinny water now is the time to do it. Early morning summer fishing in South Florida can be spectacular this time of year.

The weather has been on the hot side and so the water temperatures. Fishing in Southeast Florida in Miami on Biscayne bay can be excellent this time of year. The key to success is starting early in the morning when water temperatures are at there coolest point of the day. Combine that early start with a day when the tide is low just after sunrise and your chances of finding tailing bonefish or permit increase dramatically. On mornings when the tide is high at dawn choose a day where the forecast calls for calm conditions or fish shorelines that provide a lee if there is light wind. Look for waking fish, nervous water or a push. Keep an eye out for Permit motionless and suspended in three or four feet of water, often with just the tip of the top of the tail exposed. Tarpon can also be seen rolling at the surface under these conditions. Be stealthy and make delicate presentations to these fish and you will be rewarded.