UTERCubera snapper fishing in Biscayne Bay
In Biscayne Bay, cubera snapper peak July–August and are around year-round, spawning in July–August, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Summer spawners on the deep wrecks.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Cubera snapper in Biscayne Bay, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulySpawningSummer spawners on the deep wrecks.
- AugustSpawning
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish cubera snapper near Homestead, Key Biscayne, Miami
Biscayne Bay's grass flats and the finger channels between them, the bayside mangrove shorelines of the national park, the inlets (Government Cut, Haulover, Port Everglades), and the reef line within a couple of miles of the beach.
Fish Scouter charts 515 artificial reef, 391 wreck, 332 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Miami & Biscayne Bay map area — the kinds cubera snapper hold on.
What to use for cubera snapper
- Blue crabsWhole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Leader30–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook2/0–7/0
- Braid30–65 lb
Feeds in 72–88°F water, best at 76–86°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch cubera snapper in Biscayne Bay?
Peak season is July–August, with fish spawning in July–August (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Cubera snapper are here year-round. July: Summer spawners on the deep wrecks.
Where do cubera snapper hold in Biscayne Bay?
Look on wreck, artificial reef, bridge — around Homestead, Key Biscayne, Miami, Haulover, Fort Lauderdale.
What is the best bait for cubera snapper in Biscayne Bay?
Live bait: blue crabs, pinfish, blue runners (hardtails). Blue crabs: Whole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 30–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 2/0–7/0, braid 30–65 lb.
What are the rules for cubera snapper in Biscayne Bay?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about cubera snapper · Miami & Biscayne Bay, the whole year