Grunt Fishing in Miami
Haemulon spp.
Grunts are small, striped reef fish that make a grunting sound when caught. They are common on Miami’s reefs, easy to catch and good to eat. They are a favourite for kids and new anglers.
Quick facts
Most are 8 to 12 inches long.
White, bluestriped and French grunts.
They grind their teeth to make noise.
Large groups gather on reefs.
Reefs and rocks.
Where to catch them off Miami
Patch reefs
Shallow reefs in Biscayne Bay and offshore.
Rocks and rubble
Scattered rocks.
Wrecks
Smaller wrecks.
Season in Miami
How to read this meter
- PPeak best time to catch
- FFair can catch
- OOff rarely caught
- CClosed season, no harvest
Grunts are caught all year.
Best time and conditions
Moving tide
Current gets them feeding.
Any time
They bite most of the day.
Techniques and baits
Light tackle
Small rods and hooks.
Bottom fishing
Small baits on the reef.
Chumming
Brings schools up.
Small hooks
They have small mouths.
Top baits and lures
- Live shrimp
- Squid
- Cut bait
Florida regulations
Biscayne National Park requires 8 inches for white grunt and 10 inches for bluestriped grunt. On a Salty Fresh charter, your fishing license is included.
FWC: Unregulated species rules · Last checked October 27, 2026
On the table
Good. Mild white meat, often fried whole.
Which charter is best?
Saltwater Inshore
- $650 per trip
- 4 hours, 7:00 AM start
- Up to 4 guests
- Also targets Snook, Tarpon, Barracuda, Snapper, Cubera Snapper, Schoolmaster Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, Amberjack and Almaco Jack
Grunt FAQ
When is grunt season in Miami?
All year.
How many grunts can I keep?
Grunts fall under the default limit of 2 fish or 100 lb per person.
Why are they called grunts?
They make a grunting sound with their teeth.
Are grunts good for kids?
Yes, they are easy to catch.
Which charter is best for grunt?
The Inshore trip.
Can I cancel my trip?
Free cancellation up to 3 days (72 hours) before your trip. This applies to every trip, including iguana hunts and snorkeling. To cancel, call Capt. Charles at (305) 972-5659 or email saltyfreshfishingcharters@gmail.com.