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Biscayne Bay Flats Fishing
Sight-fish Biscayne’s legendary shallow flats near Featherbed Bank for bonefish, permit, and seasonal tarpon—just minutes from Miami. Run smart tides, clear water, and protected routes for your best shots.
Biscayne Bay flats fishing is a classic South Florida experience: ultra-shallow seagrass and sand shoals, clear water on the right wind, and heart-racing visual shots at bonefish and permit (with tarpon showing seasonally). Featherbed Bank in southern Biscayne Bay—within/adjacent to Biscayne National Park waters—is one of the most referenced flats zones for anglers who want a true “skinny-water” day close to the city.
This is an on-water destination with no street address, so planning matters. Use charts/GPS, pay close attention to tide stage and shoal markers, and expect to shift locations depending on wind-driven visibility. Many boaters pair a morning on the flats with a relaxed afternoon stop at nearby keys like Boca Chita or Elliott Key.
Because the flats are ecologically sensitive, the best days are the ones where you fish effectively while leaving no trace—idle, pole, or troll in skinny water, avoid prop scars, and respect marked shoals and park guidance.
About This Experience
Featherbed Bank (often referenced as Featherbed Banks/Featherbed Bank flats) is a renowned shallow-water complex in southern Biscayne Bay. These extremely shallow seagrass and sand shoals concentrate flats species and reward anglers who can read water, manage stealth, and time the tide. Visibility is everything—wind and chop can quickly reduce sight-fishing, so many anglers adjust to nearby cuts or more protected edges when conditions change.
Boaters should treat this as a navigational destination rather than a “place you arrive at.” The bank is shallow enough to ground boats, and Biscayne National Park has installed shoal markers to reduce habitat damage and improve safety. Approach on plane only where safe and legal, then transition to idle/trolling motor/poling as you near the flat.
Boat routes & day plans (starting from common launch areas)
Half-day flats session (Featherbed Bank focus)
Launch early, run to the Featherbed Bank area on a favorable tide, then switch to stealth mode (idle/pole/trolling motor). Work edges, potholes, and current seams; relocate as wind affects clarity. Head back before afternoon chop builds.
Flats + iconic photo stop (Stiltsville pass-by)
Fish Featherbed Bank through the best light window, then cruise north for a scenic pass near Stiltsville for photos (note: access to structures is permit-restricted). Finish with a protected ride back via marked channels.
Full Biscayne day: flats then Boca Chita or Elliott Key
Start on the flats for prime sight-fishing conditions, then transition to a relaxed afternoon at Boca Chita Key’s harbor/bulkhead or Elliott Key (boat-access-only). Great for lunch, a short walk, and a calm reset after fishing.
Perfect Boats for This Activity
Reelaxin
Freedom Pardo
Giselle at Coral Gables
OSIRIS
Seasheppard
Cloud
I’m Gone
Pleasure
The 94 Azimut
BeerBoss at Key Biscayne
Gulf to Golf at Key Biscayne
Balboa at Key Biscayne
Reelaxin
Freedom Pardo
Giselle at Coral Gables
OSIRIS
Seasheppard
Cloud
I’m Gone
Pleasure
The 94 Azimut
BeerBoss at Key Biscayne
Gulf to Golf at Key Biscayne
Balboa at Key Biscayne
Where This Activity Takes Place
Getting There
Multiple departure points available
Open in Maps
Practical tips for Biscayne Bay flats success
Plan around tide stage: these are very shallow shoals—give yourself water to move safely and avoid getting stranded on a falling tide.
Navigate with charts/GPS and watch for Biscayne National Park shoal markers around fragile banks; don’t cut across skinny areas you can’t read.
Shift for visibility: if wind muddies exposed flats, move to more protected edges/cuts (areas like Soldier Key/Sands Cut can fish well depending on conditions).
Use shallow-water best practices: idle, pole, or troll—avoid powering through seagrass to prevent prop scars and groundings.
Bring polarized glasses and a long-handled landing tool; keep decks quiet and minimize hull slap for close-range shots.
Confirm current regulations before you go: Florida saltwater rules apply with park-specific restrictions possible in Biscayne National Park waters.
Best time to go
For sight-fishing, prioritize calm mornings and higher sun angles that improve visibility into the water. Seasonal patterns vary, but bonefish and permit are common flats targets, with tarpon opportunities depending on migration timing. Wind direction and strength often matter as much as season—choose sheltered zones when the bay gets choppy.
Explore Biscayne Bay flats with BoatPass
BoatPass makes it easy to plan a flats-focused day near Featherbed Bank and nearby Biscayne National Park boating destinations. Membership covers captain, fuel, and docking on all trips, so you can focus on tides, visibility, and time on the water—not logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Featherbed Bank is a shallow shoal/flat in southern Biscayne Bay within/adjacent to Biscayne National Park waters. A commonly used waypoint is 25.524830, -80.227829.
No—this is an on-water flat with no land address. Navigate by marine chart/GPS, follow marked channels where applicable, and use local knowledge to approach safely based on depth and tide.
Anglers commonly target bonefish and permit on the flats, with tarpon opportunities seasonally/migratorily. Other inshore species may show depending on conditions.
The flats can be extremely shallow. Use charts, watch for shoal markers, and slow down early—many anglers switch to idle, trolling motor, or poling near the bank. Plan around tide to reduce grounding risk.
Popular pairings include Boca Chita Key (protected harbor and lighthouse), Elliott Key (trails/campground and marina area), and a scenic pass near Stiltsville (structures require permits for access).
Florida saltwater licensing generally applies, and Biscayne National Park may have park-specific rules or restrictions. Always verify current regulations before your trip.
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