Triggerfish Fishing in Miami

When Miami deep sea fishing, you’re sure to find a variety of species. However, some are a bit harder to catch than others, and the triggerfish is one of them. These fish swim the warm Atlantic waters of Miami by using both the top and bottom fins and can often use them to stay in place, hovering with their dorsal fins to hover like a helicopter. They are also known to lock themselves in reefs when threatened to elicit protection, making it extremely difficult to break catch once doing so. Typically triggerfish can be tough to catch with just a hook and line since they do not strike at the bait. 

Some nicknames include the taly, leather jackets, and leathernecks, but there are few different types of triggerfish:

• Grey triggerfish: mostly found in the Atlantic ocean as far as Argentina and Nova Scotia to the north. Adults are usually an olive-gray color with blue spots and lines on the upper body. During their nesting season (April to August), they can change color - males a dark charcoal grey and females with black and white patterns. 

• Queen triggerfish: not often found by anglers, but if they are, they are found in water ranging from 10 to 98 feet. 

The grey and queen triggerfish species enjoy rock bottom, reeds, and shipwrecks and can travel in either a group or solo. Young triggerfish will be yellow and have violet dots. Both types have extremely large and sharp teeth with rough skin, so watch out if you catch one while Miami fishing!

What to Expect When Charter Boat Fishing

If you’ve ever been Miami deep sea fishing, then you know how great it can be. There’s nothing quite like making a great catch with friends or family in the beautiful Atlantic waters of Miami. However, if you’ve never been, you’re in for a treat! Still, you may be wondering what to expect on your first deep-sea fishing charter. 

You can plan on being on the water for four hours. Our charters run on half-day time slots, so you can come join us either from 8 AM to noon or 1 PM to 5 PM. We do offer some full-day time slots, which run from 8 AM to 4 PM. 

When it comes to popular fish, marlin fishing in Miami Beach is extremely popular! We catch many marlins in-season, among others like mahi-mahi (dolphin fish), swordfish, amberjacks, tunas, mackerel, and so much more! Abundance per species will be dependent on the season, but some are in season all year round. Whichever species you’re looking to catch, we can help you do just that!

Wondering if you need a fishing license to go deep-sea fishing in Miami? If you’re onboard a for-hire boat, the boat must have a permit for you and all those on the boat - you do not need to get a fishing license to go deep-sea fishing with us. We have you covered! However, note that if you go fishing on a private boat on your own and not through THERAPY-IV, you will need a Florida fishing license.

Have any other questions? We’d be happy to help! Just get in touch with us online or by phone at 305.945.1578. 

Monster Fishing with THERAPY-IV

Ready to catch some big fish? THERAPY-IV has you covered. This fall, book your Miami deep sea fishing charter and get prepared to catch some monster fish! Many of the local species in Miami are large fish, putting up quite the fight when wrangling them in from the water. With an experienced captain and crew with over 54 years of experience catching monsters of the deep, you know your next fishing trip will be one to remember. 

One of the most common monster catches we see are of groupers. There are many types roaming around the Atlantic waters of South Florida and can mainly be found over coral reefs, artificial reefs, sunken ships (since they are bottom feeders), coral patches, ledges, drop-offs, and rocky bottom areas. Some groupers can reach weights of nearly 100 pounds and make excellent fighters. We typically use conventional deep-sea fishing rods and deep-sea fishing reels, but heavy equipment can be used in deeper waters. 

Marlin fishing in Miami Beach is another popular pastime. Marlins are not usually a targeted species but are often caught when looking for sailfish and sharks. They are one of the toughest fish to catch in the Atlantic. They jump powerfully when caught, either on the surface or plummeting back into the deep waters. 

Tarpons are another monster fish found in the warm waters of Miami. They are quite large and strong, so they are a favorite catch among beginners and experienced anglers. They love to put up a fight when getting reeled in, jumping and shaking about, especially with their heads while trying to throw off the hook. Tarpons can weigh anywhere from 60 to 150 pounds and are in season all year round. THERAPY-IV uses live bait and live shrimp to reel them in. 

Grouper Fishing in Miami Beach

Grouper fish are one of the most highly sought-after deep seawater fish. You can mostly find them in warmer waters, and they vary in appearance from green or brown colors. The term grouper refers to a family of fish rather than a single species - the family of fish also includes sea bass!

Groupers have strong bodies and largemouths but aren't built for long-distance or fast swimming - great knowledge for Miami fishing anglers! They tend to be quite large, reaching weights of nearly 220 pounds. Compared to many Miami deep sea fishing fish, they do not have a lot of teeth, rather tooth plates in the back of the mouth, located inside the pharynx. Even bigger groupers are not known to attack humans.

The largest grouper ever recorded was found in the West Atlantic ocean and measured 8.2 feet and weighing 800 pounds. In Florida, the highest recorded weight on a hook and line catch was 680 pounds.

Grouper fishing aboard the THERAPY-IV is a fun experience! When bottom or wreck fishing, charter oats should know the area well since it takes specialized knowledge to catch groupers. Sometimes currents can be strong, so experience in grouper fishing throughout South Florida is important to make sure you have a safe and fun experience.

Captain Stan has extensive experience in bottom fishing and wreck fishing. His crew knows the waters of South Florida and how to catch magnificent species of fish - like grouper - and can help you pinpoint exactly where to catch them. 

Back to School Fishing Done Right with THERAPY-IV

Back to school season is upon us, but that doesn't mean that the Miami deep sea fishing fun is over. Late summer and fall are great ties to fish, with a wide array of fish available to catch. Looking to book a fishing trip before the school year gets hectic? Our charters run seven days a week, making weekdays and weekends alike perfect for a celebratory back-to-school fishing trip. Call us at 305.945.1578 to book your Miami fishing trip!

If you haven't been deep sea fishing yet, know that you're in for an exhilarating outdoor activity. People of all ages enjoy the thrill of a catch - like marlins, swordfish, and tuna - at sea. While certain species are seasonal, we usually see barracudas, tarpons, jacks, snappers, ladyfish, snooks, mackerels, grunts, kingfish, and cobias. Even those who are relatively new or brand new to fishing can catch on quickly for a day of fun! THERAPY-IV is a long-time recipient of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence as well as a Traveler's Choice. Once you step foot on one of our charters and hit the open sea, you'll be able to see why. 

Our charters provide our clientele with a one-of-a-kind, high-quality deep sea fishing adventure. Our experienced and passionate-about-fishing captain and crew are ready to help you learn and catch some great Miami fish. You can book a charter every day from 8 AM to 12 PM or from 1 PM to 5 PM. All-day charters are available for private groups. Rodes, reels, bait, tackle, and a Captain/Crew with a Florida fishing license are included.