UTERGoliath grouper fishing in Biscayne Bay
In Biscayne Bay, goliath grouper peak August–September and are around year-round, spawning in August–September, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Spawning on the deep wrecks off Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Goliath grouper in Biscayne Bay, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyArriving
- AugustSpawningSpawning on the deep wrecks off Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
- SeptemberSpawning
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish goliath grouper 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, 18 pass / inlet spots in the Miami & Biscayne Bay map area — the kinds goliath grouper hold on.
What to use for goliath grouper
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish 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.
- Leader30–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook2/0–7/0
- Braid30–65 lb
Feeds in 68–90°F water, best at 74–86°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch goliath grouper in Biscayne Bay?
Peak season is August–September, with fish spawning in August–September (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Goliath grouper are here year-round. August: Spawning on the deep wrecks off Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Where do goliath grouper hold in Biscayne Bay?
Look on wreck, bridge, artificial reef, pass / inlet — around Homestead, Key Biscayne, Miami, Haulover, Fort Lauderdale.
What is the best bait for goliath grouper in Biscayne Bay?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), pinfish. Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 30–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 2/0–7/0, braid 30–65 lb.
What are the rules for goliath grouper 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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