New To Miami

[afoers]

New to Miami and South Florida, only really have experience with largemouth and the few peacock I've caught down here. Anyone have a real good spot they like to go to? I've been up and down the Tamiami canal but I feel like I'm really limited there without a boat or kayak.

Also, what else is around? And what kind of lures/baits do you use to go after em. I can consistently catch bass, but haven't had a lot of luck with other species.

[BassinLou]

Welcome to Miami.What parts of Miami? My best suggestion to you is google earth. It's a very resourceful tool. Depending whereabouts you live, you will have plenty of spots available. There are canals galore down here. They all contain nice bass and plenty of exotics. There are lakes, however accessibility can be a challenge. They are either on private and/or commercial land. More than likely there will be no trespassing signs posted all over. Depending on your $$ situation I will recommend a you get small 8-10 ft aluminum boat or easier yet, a kayak. That will greatly increase your chances of finding really good spots that you can't reach by foot. As far as baits, take your pick. There is a myriad of soft plastics that you can throw with great success. Jerk baits, jigs, topwater baits. These will work well as well. Your main focus should be becoming familiar with your area, learn your spots, and  understand the seasons down here, and be patient. LOL.. I know it seems like summer down here all the time, but that is not really the case. Best of luck, maybe we will cross paths one day. 

[afoers]

I'm in the Kendall area right now, I've fished over by the Miccosukee Casino, and up North in Pembroke pines. Everytime I find a lake that looks promising, it is fenced off. A kayak is definitely in the near future for me, I just gotta find a place to store it haha, I don't think the wife would appreciate a kayak in the living room of the APT. I'll def. check out google earth more and see if there are some places that maybe I missed. Thanks for your input and I hope it cools down evventually haha.

[Darren.]

Welcome to the forums!

[BassinLou]

Definitely jump on google earth. Kendall has some pretty good places I have always been curious to try whenever I am down there. A member that pops up every once in a while called Cutler Jay lives around your area. If you can get a hold of him he may be more helpful than me. Feel free to check out my profile, many of my friends are South FL members that can probably help you as well. Good luck, and welcome to Miami and BR. 

[geo g]

Just a word of warning on Kayak fishing in the heavily infested everglades.  I have had a big gator recently come right up to the boat and put his mouth right on the side, then hit the side of the boat with a hard tail shot.   I have had them stay right behind the boat for 50 yards as close as 5 feet away.  I have fished the glades for 40 years and this is an aggressive year for big gators.  Summer is a territorial time for mating, and some these big boys are showing their dominance.  I would not want to be in a Kayak, especially by myself.  The everglades is not Kansas!!!!!!

[BassinLou]

Just a word of warning on Kayak fishing in the heavily infested everglades.  I have had a big gator recently come right up to the boat and put his mouth right on the side, then hit the side of the boat with a hard tail shot.   I have had them stay right behind the boat for 50 yards as close as 5 feet away.  I have fished the glades for 40 years and this is an aggressive year for big gators.  Summer is a territorial time for mating, and some these big boys are showing their dominance.  I would not want to be in a Kayak, especially by myself.  The everglades is not Kansas!!!!!!

 

I second what George is speaking of. If I insinuated kayaking in the glades then I apologize. My kayak comment was geared toward fishing canals and lakes accessible by canal. Gators can be unpredictable sometimes and higher you are from them the better.  

[afoers]

Yeah, I've seen some gators out on the tamiami, but up north near pemboke pines and stuff seems pretty gator free. I'm just trying to get a feel of the area before I sink the money into a kayak.

[Backlash123]

If you are in the Kendall area, try the Kendall Lakes area (137th ave & 88 str).  Some of the lakes should be accessible and lots of peacocks in there.  As far as other species, there have been people that fish the canals coming of the bay and they catch snook and stuff,  I've never fished them but that's what I have heard.  Also, try to find canals with spillways that lead out to the bay.  When we get the heavy rains and those spillways open up, I've heard of lots of snook caught in those canals.  Again, as mentioned before, Google Earth is your friend.  Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

[atcoha]

Grew up down there. Fished every canal from Lauderdale to Florida City. Cutler Ridge area canal system is full of garbage, don't waste your time, unless you hit it close to belair elementary...you might get lucky.

Kendall/Kendall lakes has some good canals and neighborhood lakes can be decent. Even back in the 90's there were a lot of pacu in the neighborhood lakes, especially devonair area lakes. But there were bass, we would use small bream for bait. Hit up the lakes off 137 close to 152, there are several. Head west of Krome avenue on 152, canal system goes a long way.

There are also tons of small lakes/rockpits in homestead area. If you take turnpike south, just look on either side of turnpike, you will see plenty of spots. 

If you have concealed carry, exercise your right if you are fishing alone in homestead/florida city. 

[geo g]

Just west of the Miccosukee there is a bridge over the canal.  Go over the bridge and you can go west along the canal bank for miles.  Look for culvert pipes on the south side and hit those areas casting across the canal.  I have seen big fish caught along that canal.  If you make it out to the crash memorial at the twenty mile bend, there is the ramp for Little 67 Canal.  That ramp is a deep hole, that holds some big fish.  Loads of bank fishing possibilities.  Just watch for the little critters, wear boots just in case.