Reviewed · KEY WEST DAY TRIPS FROM MIAMI
Peacock Bass Fishing Trips Near Key Largo
The most appealing part of this trip is its private boat and captain setup. You are not sharing a vessel with a large crowd or waiting for strangers to finish casting. Your captain can spend the outing teaching the basics, refining your technique, or simply helping you keep the lines moving.
I like the no-fish, no-pay policy, since fishing always carries some risk. I also like that the $450 price covers up to two people, all fishing and safety equipment, a cooler, ice, and bottled water. The main consideration is the meeting point: you start in southwest Miami, while the fishing takes place around Homestead’s Aerojet Canal System, so you need to allow time for the captain to get you onto the water.
Key points to know
- A private trip for up to two people: The boat and captain belong to your group, which makes this a good choice for couples, parents with a child, or two fishing partners.
- Peacock bass are the main target: These exotic fish are known for making light tackle fishing lively, and the outing may also include other species.
- The captain may be Rick, Robert Miley, or Bob: Availability determines the guide, so ask who is assigned when you book.
- The price includes the practical basics: Fishing gear, safety gear, bottled water, ice, and a cooler are provided.
- Bring your fishing license money and bait budget: A fishing license and live bait are not included.
- Plan around the weather: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.
Fishing the Aerojet Canal System near Miami

This is best understood as a small, focused fishing trip rather than a sightseeing cruise. You meet at 13145 SW 89th Pl in Miami, connect with your local captain, and then head toward the Aerojet Canal System in Homestead.
The area is known here for peacock bass and other exotic fish. That gives the outing a different feel from ordinary freshwater fishing in Florida. You are going after a species that brings more action and curiosity to the day, while still fishing in a setting close enough to Miami for a practical half-day outing.
The published duration is about four to eight hours, while the fishing portion is listed at roughly four hours. That difference matters. Your exact time on the water may depend on the booking you choose, the captain’s schedule, and conditions that day. I would confirm the expected duration before you set other plans.
The route information also names Key Largo, Homestead, and 2010 Southern Glades Trail. The meeting point, however, is in Miami. Treat the Miami address as your starting point and confirm the precise launch location with the operator. That small bit of planning can save you from turning up at the wrong canal or assuming the trip begins in Key Largo itself.
More day trips down to Key West:
- From Miami: Key West Day Trip with Pickup at Selected Hotels
★ 4.3 · 2,918 reviews - From Miami: Key West Day Tour by Motor Coach Bus
★ 4.2 · 2,483 reviews - Key West Day Trip from Miami with Activities
★ 4.0 · 1,296 reviews
What a private boat changes for two people

The private format is the strongest feature for most bookings. With only your group aboard, you can ask questions freely, change the pace, and spend more time on the parts of fishing that suit you.
If you already fish, the captain can help you improve rather than give a long beginner lesson that you do not need. If you are new to the sport, you can learn the basic handling and casting skills without feeling watched by a boat full of strangers.
The two-person limit also keeps the price easy to understand. At $450 per group, the cost works out to $225 each when two people attend. For one person, the same group price applies, so this makes more financial sense for a pair.
You should not read the private format as a guarantee of nonstop action. Fish do not follow a timetable, and the no-fish, no-pay policy exists because results can vary. Still, a private captain gives you a better chance of receiving personal attention than a large shared excursion.
The available fishing feedback points to especially strong results with Captain Rick, Captain Robert Miley, and Captain Bob. One outing was said to produce more than 50 fish, while another couple stopped counting after catching more than a dozen peacock bass. Those numbers are not promises, but they show the kind of fast, productive day that can happen under good conditions.
Peacock bass and the appeal of exotic freshwater fishing
Peacock bass are the star of the trip. The supplied descriptions call them fun little fish to catch, and that is a useful way to set your expectations. This is not mainly about landing one huge trophy. It is about repeated strikes, active casting, and the satisfaction of seeing an unfamiliar species take your line.
The word exotic can sound grand, but the practical meaning is simple: you are fishing for species that feel different from the fish many visitors expect to find in Florida. That gives the outing a sense of discovery without requiring a long trip away from Miami.
The captain provides the fishing equipment, so you do not need to pack rods, reels, or other tackle unless you have a personal item you prefer to use. Safety equipment is also included. Water, a cooler, and ice help keep the basic comforts covered during several hours outside.
Live bait is not included. A fishing license is not included either, and those are the two costs you need to plan for beyond the $450 group rate. The information provided does not state the license price, the bait price, or whether the captain sells either one, so ask before the day begins.
Meet the captain, then settle into the canals

The first part of the outing is the meeting and transfer to the fishing area. You arrive at the Miami meeting address, find the captain, and receive help with the initial arrangements. The stop description allows about 15 minutes for this part, with no separate admission charge.
That short opening is useful for getting organized, but it is also where you should ask practical questions. Confirm the return time, the fishing duration, the license arrangement, and what kind of bait will be used. Since the published information names several possible captains, ask whether you will be fishing with Captain Rick, Captain Robert Miley, or Captain Bob.
Once you reach the Aerojet Canal System, the captain handles the boat and guides the fishing. The canals are the main setting for the four-hour portion described in the schedule. You can expect the captain to provide the required gear and safety equipment, then help you target peacock bass and other fish available in the area.
The day ends when the captain navigates back to the original meeting point. This is not a tour with several unrelated attractions packed into one schedule. The canals and the fishing are the point, so people who enjoy time on the water will get the most from it.
More fishing charters out of Miami:
- Miami Half Day Deep Sea Fishing Trip from Bayside Marketplace
★ 3.5 · 223 reviews - Miami Big Game Deep Sea Fishing Charter
★ 4.5 · 198 reviews - Biscayne Bay Inshore Flats Fishing
★ 5.0 · 46 reviews - Peacock Bass Fishing Trips Near Miami Florida
★ 5.0 · 30 reviews
What the captain can do for beginners and experienced anglers

The trip is built to serve two very different kinds of people. A first-time angler can learn fishing basics with direct help from the captain. That may include understanding the equipment, handling the line, and learning how to work toward a strike, though the exact instruction will depend on your guide and your needs.
An experienced angler can use the same private setting to ask for technique help or focus on catching fish. You are not locked into a fixed group lesson. The captain can adjust the outing to your ability, at least in broad terms.
The captains connected with this experience have received especially warm praise for their personal approach. Captain Rick is associated with a particularly memorable day for one pair, enough to change their mind about returning to the Miami and Keys area. Captain Robert Miley is praised for a productive outing with more than a dozen peacock bass, and Captain Bob is described as a strong choice for a parent and child.
I would still avoid booking based on a specific captain unless the operator confirms that person. Guide assignments can change. The names are useful when you speak with Bass Online Fishing Trips, but they are not a promise that one particular captain will be aboard.
Is $450 a fair price for the fishing time?

At $450 for up to two people, this is not a budget activity for a solo visitor. For two people, the price is easier to justify because it covers a private boat, a captain, equipment, safety supplies, ice, bottled water, and a cooler.
The private format is the key value. You are paying for personal attention and control over the day, not simply access to a rod and a seat. If you would otherwise book two places on a shared fishing boat, compare the total cost carefully. The private arrangement may be reasonable, especially for a couple or two friends who want the entire experience to themselves.
The value is also tied to your goals. Someone who wants a casual introduction to fishing may appreciate having a captain handle the complicated parts. Someone who already owns equipment and mainly wants a cheap way to catch fish may find the price harder to defend.
Food and specialty drinks are not included. Bottled water is included, but you should bring any additional snacks or drinks you want, as long as the captain permits them. The information does not state whether a meal break is part of the longer eight-hour option, so ask if you are considering the extended duration.
Weather, timing, and the few practical catches

Fishing depends heavily on conditions. This experience requires good weather, and if poor weather cancels your trip, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.
You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. That policy is reasonable for a captain who has reserved a private boat, but it means you should watch the forecast before the deadline.
Confirmation arrives at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking on your phone. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part. The information does not give boat dimensions or detailed facilities, so anyone with specific mobility needs should ask the operator for more detail before paying.
The starting address is in Miami, not at the canals themselves. I would leave extra time for the meeting point and confirm how the group reaches the Aerojet Canal System. The end point is the original meeting location, so arrange your day around returning there rather than assuming the captain will drop you elsewhere.
Who should book this private fishing trip

This outing fits two people who want a shared activity with a clear focus. Couples can fish together without joining a larger group. A parent and child can use the private format for patient instruction. Two friends can split the cost and make the most of a dedicated captain.
It also suits visitors who want an activity near Miami but are willing to spend several hours on the water. The reports of 12 or more peacock bass, and even 50 or more fish on one outing, make it attractive to anyone who values steady action. Again, those catches show possibility, not certainty.
Beginners should like the included equipment and captain-led instruction. Experienced anglers should ask about tackle, bait, and the captain’s style in advance so the outing matches their expectations.
I would be more cautious if you are looking for a broad Florida sightseeing trip. The schedule centers on fishing in the canal system. You will not be moving through a list of major Miami attractions, and the experience is not designed as a general tour.
Should you book the Aerojet Canal fishing trip?

Book it if you want a private, captain-led fishing outing for two and you like the idea of targeting peacock bass near Miami. The included gear, cooler, ice, water, and no-fish, no-pay promise make the booking simpler and reduce some of the normal risk.
Before paying, confirm the exact duration, launch details, assigned captain, license requirements, and live bait arrangements. If you want Captain Rick, Captain Robert Miley, or Captain Bob specifically, request that information rather than assuming the name is guaranteed.
For two people who care about personal attention and active fishing, this is a strong choice. For one person watching every dollar, or anyone wanting a sightseeing cruise instead of a focused fishing day, the $450 group price may not be the best match.
FAQ
Where does the fishing trip meet?
The meeting point is 13145 SW 89th Pl, Miami, Florida 33176, USA.
Where does the fishing take place?
The fishing takes place around the Aerojet Canal System in Homestead, Florida. The schedule also names 2010 Southern Glades Trail and Key Largo, so confirm the exact launch details with the operator.
How many people can join the private trip?
The price covers one private group of up to two people.
How long does the experience last?
The stated duration is approximately four to eight hours. The fishing portion is described as about four hours, so confirm the exact duration when booking.
Are fishing rods and other equipment included?
Yes. All fishing equipment and safety equipment are included.
Is a fishing license included?
No. Fishing licenses are not included in the price.
Is live bait included?
No. Live bait is not included.
What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.
New on the Miami list
- Miami: Wynwood Walls Street Art and Food Walking Tour★ 4.9 · 43 reviews
- Wynwood walking tour in French (2h)★ 4.9 · 9 reviews
- Wynwood Walls Street Art & Neighborhood Walking Tour★ 4.9 · 9 reviews
- Miami: HIDDEN WORLD OF MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Walking Tour with Cocktails(optional) Miami★ 4.9 · 18 reviews
- VIP Walking Tour of Little Havana★ 4.5 · 36 reviews
- Beach Yoga Experience in Miami Beach★ 5.0 · 53 reviews
- Beach Yoga & Tea Experience on South Beach★ 5.0 · 19 reviews
Key West Day Trips from Miami, compared.

Key West Day Trip with Pickup at Selected Hotels
Read our review →
Key West Dolphin Watch or Snorkel Boat with pickup
Read our review →
Day Trip to Key West with optional Hotel pick up
Read our review →
Full-Day Key West Tour and Coral Reef Snorkeling with Open Bar
Read our review →
Key West Sail and Snorkel with Hotel Transportation from Miami
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in



