If it has fins, you can probably catch it in and around Miami-Dade County -- in Biscayne Bay, inland canals, lakes and drainage ponds, or in deeper offshore waters. Biscayne Bay is known for bonefish, tarpon and permit, along with sea trout, mangrove snapper and the occasional snook and redfish.
Bass, bluegill, and peacock bass can be found in nearly every freshwater body in the county. The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission recommends the Aero-Jet (C-111) canal in southern Dade for largemouth bass. For peacock bass, the hot spots are the Tamiami Canal (C-4), Biscayne Canal (C-8), Cutler Drain Canal (C-100), Snake Creek Canal (C-9), Snapper Creek Canal (C-2) and Airport Lakes Canal (C-4).
Offshore waters teem with sailfish, wahoo, blackfin tuna, kingfish, and dolphin. The most effective method for catching these scrappy fighters is with live bait using a fishing kite. Anglers also drift weighted and unweighted live baits and troll fresh baits and artificial lures.
Novice anglers or those without boats can charter a boat for a day of fishing at Haulover Beach Park, 10800 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; Crandon Park Marina, 4000 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne; and Miamarina behind Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.
Charges range from $40 for a place on a party boat to about $700 for a private party of four to six on a 45-footer.
Miami-Dade County's only public fishing pier is the Newport Pier next to the Holiday Inn / Crowne Plaza Resort, 16701 Collins Ave. (305-949-1300, ext. 1266). Cost: $3 for adults, $1.50 for children 12 and under.
BROWARD SALTWATER PIERS
Anglin's Pier
2 E. Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea; 954-491-9403; Cost: $3 adults, $2 kids 12 and younger.
Dania Beach Pier
300 Beach Rd., Dania; 954-927-0640; Cost: $3 per person.
Deerfield Beach International Pier
200 NE 21st Ave., Deerfield Beach; 954-426-9206; Cost: $3 per person.
Pompano Beach Pier
222 Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach; 954-943-1488; Cost: $2.65 for adults, $1.06 for children younger than 10.
BROWARD FRESHWATER PARKS
Brian Piccolo Park, 9501 Sheridan St., Cooper City; 954-437-2600.
C.B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines; 954-437-2650.
Everglades Holiday Park, 21940 Griffin Rd. (west of U.S. 27), West Broward; 954-434-8111.
Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise; 954-389-2000.
Plantation Heritage Park, 100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation; 954-791-1025.
Snyder Park, 3299 SW Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-468-1585.
Topeekeegee Yugnee (T.Y.) Park, 3300 N. Park Rd., Hollywood; 954-985-1980. Bass.
West Lake Park, 1200 Sheridan St., Hollywood; 954-929-5355. Also saltwater fish.
