Fishing trips may be taking a back seat to fine restaurants and pulsing nightlife, but Miami fishing charter boat captains are still enjoying steady business. With the Gulf Stream so close, anglers can enjoy a fishing expedition catching grouper, tuna, dolphins, kingfish and more.

If you’re going to be in Miami area and want to book a deep-sea fishing experience, your best bet is to visit the area’s top four marinas – Crandon Park, Haulover Beach, Miami Beach and Bayside Marketplace. For an overview of each, keep reading.

Crandon Park Marina

The Crandon Park Marina is home to some of the best charter boat captains and fishing guides in the area. The marina has an international reputation for Miami fishing charter boat companies that offer high quality service and guaranteed catches. It’s located at 4000 Crandon Blvd, and charters typically cost around $700 for a full day or $500 for a half day.

The Haulover Beach Park Marina

Like the Crandon Park Marina, Haulover Beach Park is home base for multiple charter companies. The marina lays claim to the largest charter and drift-fishing fleet in South Florida. You can reach the marina in Haulover Beach Park at 108000 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles, Miami Beach or by phone at 305-947-3525.

Haulover Beach Marina is busy, with numerous boats to choose from, but recommended charters include the Helen C, Haulover Charter Company and the Kelley Fleet.

The Miami Beach Marina

The majority of boats docked at the Miami Beach Marina are private vessels, but there are a number of private fishing charters. Recommended captains and fleets include Miami Beach Charters, the Reward Fleet and the Sissy Bay.

To find the Miami Beach Marina, just take a stroll down the MacArthur Causeway or call them at (305) 673-6000.

Bayside Marketplace

Like the Miami Beach Marina, the Bayside Marketplace is a mix of private boats, commercial vessels and private fishing charter companies. Laid-back angles might prefer the more relaxed atmosphere and low-pressure sales pitch. The marketplace is 5 minutes from Miami Beach and just 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale.

Average Costs

For a private Miami fishing charter boat, you can expect to pay between $450 and $500 for a 4-5 hour day. Passage can also be booked on party boats or group vessels for as little as $30.

However, you may find that many boats are raising their prices as the cost of gas skyrockets, so be prepared to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 in fuel surcharges for a private charter.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 at 8:05 am and is filed under Fishing Charters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.