Miami: Gateway to Everything
Miami offers the widest variety of salt- and freshwater angling opportunities in America. Add to that the unique blend of traditions, styles, trends, and cultures that flavor the South Florida fishing scene, and it's easy to stake a claim for Miami as the premier urban fishing destination. This is where America's flats fishing was born, and anglers can still catch bonefish and permit in the shadows of Miami's skyline. Offshore, plenty of deep-sea action beckons. The nearby Florida Keys and Everglades are gateways to backcountry angling for snook, tarpon, redfish, jacks, speckled trout, snapper, and more.

Saltwater is only half the story. To the west, Miami opens onto one of the most alluring freshwater fishing regions in the country. From Lake Okeechobee to Everglades National Park, anglers can find stellar fishing for trophy bass, panfish, and a host of other species. It all starts downtown.

A) PIERS AND DOCKS You can fish from many of Miami's lighted downtown piers and docks. Evening and nighttime is usually best for catching snapper, croakers, mackerel, seatrout, drum, jacks, and other nearshore species.

B) GOVERNMENT CUT Along with Haulover Inlet, this channel collects schools of migrating tarpon, giving you a shot at hooking a silver king (or other species) not far from South Beach.

C) BISCAYNE BAY Our flats fishing tradition began here. Anglers now must contend with pleasure boaters, and the mile-long schools of tarpon off Curtis Point may be gone, but you still have chances for the silver king on the turtle grass flats.

D) TAMIAMI CANAL AIRPORT LAKES SYSTEM Before you fly to South America for peacock bass, check out Blue Lagoon Lake and Lake Mahar. Part of a system of lakes and channels surrounding the airport, these waters are accessed from the Maceo Park boat ramp off NW 7th Street.

E) EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK This fishing wonderland has countless freshwater ponds and rivers brimming with largemouth bass. Saltwater anglers can explore the backcountry for snook and tarpon, or go into open water for redfish and seatrout.

F) ATLANTIC OCEAN Some of the best offshore action in the Western Hemisphere is just a short run from Miami.

G) ROAD TRIP Dania Beach is the Cooperstown of fishing, where the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame features exhibits and interactive displays. igfa.org

Prime Source: Capt. Harry's Fishing Supply at 100 NE 11th Street, Miami, Fla.; 305-374-4661; captharry.com