Peacock Bass Fishing Trips Near Key Largo

The most unusual part of this trip is that you are not heading far into the Florida Keys for saltwater fish. You meet in Miami, then fish the freshwater canals of Homestead for peacock bass, colorful, hard-fighting fish that make even a short catch exciting. The private boat keeps the outing personal, and the captain can teach the basics or help sharpen your technique.

I like the no fish, no pay policy, which takes some pressure off a day on the water. I also like that the $450 price covers up to two people, fishing equipment, safety gear, ice, and bottled water. The main drawback is the meeting point in southwest Miami, not Key Largo itself, and you still need to arrange your own fishing license and live bait.

Key points to know

• Private boat for up to two people: You fish with your own group and captain rather than sharing the boat with strangers.
• Peacock bass in the Aerojet Canal System: The fishing takes place near Homestead, with peacock bass and other exotic species possible.
• Four to eight hours on the water: The exact length can vary, so confirm the timing when you book.
• No fish, no pay: This policy offers useful peace of mind, though the exact terms should be confirmed with the operator.
• Captain-led instruction: You can learn the basics or arrive with fishing experience and work on your skills.
• Bring a license and skip the live bait assumption: Fishing gear is included, but licenses and live bait are not.

Peacock bass in Homestead, not Key Largo

The name can cause a little confusion. The advertised location points to Key Largo, but the actual fishing area is the Aerojet Canal System near Homestead, Florida. You meet at 13145 SW 89th Pl in Miami, then make your way to the water with the captain.

That location matters when you plan your day. This is not a walk-up marina experience in Key Largo, and the package does not describe transportation from your hotel. You should be ready to reach the Miami meeting point yourself and confirm how the group will get from there to the canal system.

The Aerojet Canal System is the setting for the fishing itself. The attraction here is the chance to pursue peacock bass in freshwater canals rather than book a standard offshore trip. The fish are known for their strong fight relative to their size, and the catches described from these outings range from more than a dozen fish to 50 or more on a particularly productive day.

That kind of catch is not promised, but it gives you a useful sense of the trip’s potential. Fishing is still fishing, and conditions, timing, and skill matter. The no fish, no pay policy helps address that uncertainty.

A private boat makes the $450 price easier to judge

The cost is $450 per group of up to two people, not $450 per person. For a couple, parent and child, or two friends, that makes the price more reasonable than it first appears. You are paying for a private outing rather than two individual seats on a shared boat.

The package includes the captain, a private tour, all fishing equipment, safety equipment, a cooler, ice, and bottled water. Those inclusions reduce the small add-on costs that can make fishing trips feel less affordable after booking.

You still need to budget for a fishing license, food, specialty drinks, and live bait. The included cooler and water are helpful, but they do not replace lunch or other drinks for a four to eight-hour trip. If you want live bait, ask about availability and cost before the day begins.

I see the best value here for two people who want focused time with a captain. If you are alone, the same group price is harder to justify unless the private format and instruction are your main goals. For two people, the cost is easier to defend, especially if you plan to fish for several hours.

What happens at the Miami meeting point

Your day begins at 13145 SW 89th Pl, Miami, Florida. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you should plan around a round trip rather than assume you will be dropped at a different location.

The first part of the outing is brief on paper, listed at about 15 minutes. This appears to cover arrival, meeting the local captain, and getting oriented before the fishing portion begins. The main activity is listed at four hours, while the overall experience is described as lasting roughly four to eight hours.

That range is worth clarifying before you book. A four-hour trip suits a compact morning or afternoon plan. An eight-hour outing takes more of your day and may offer more time to locate fish, practice casting, and adjust to the canal conditions. Ask the operator what duration applies to your selected booking.

Your captain provides the fishing and safety equipment. That is convenient if you do not travel with tackle, and it also means beginners do not need to know what rod, line, or safety items to bring. The experience is offered in English.

Fishing the Aerojet Canal System

Once you reach the water, the captain guides the boat and fishing session. The focus is on peacock bass and other exotic species available in the canal system. You can learn the basics from the start, or use the captain’s help to improve an existing skill.

That makes this a good choice for mixed experience levels. A first-time angler can get direct help without needing to keep up with a large group. Someone who already fishes can ask for guidance and spend more time casting instead of sorting out equipment.

The setting also gives the trip a different character from a conventional ocean charter. You are not booking a deepwater voyage or a sightseeing cruise. The point is to concentrate on freshwater fishing, with the boat and captain serving as your base for the session.

The catch reports tied to the trips are notably strong. One outing with Captain Rick produced more than 50 fish, according to the account of that day. Another outing with Captain Robert Miley produced more than a dozen peacock bass before the couple stopped counting. Those numbers show what a productive session can look like, but you should not treat them as a guarantee.

A third account names Captain Bob and describes a successful trip with a son and parent. That detail points to the outing’s family appeal. The private format lets you set the pace within the booked time, and a captain can help a younger angler get started.

Captains Rick, Robert Miley, and Bob

Several captains are associated with the experience, including Rick, Robert Miley, and Bob. The information provided does not state which captain will lead every departure, so do not book around a specific person unless the operator confirms that guide for your date.

The individual names are still useful when you contact Bass Online Fishing Trips. If you have a preference, ask before paying. Captain Rick is associated with a particularly high catch count, Captain Robert Miley with a dozen-plus peacock bass, and Captain Bob with a well-received family outing.

The central value is not only the fish. A captain handles navigation, supplies safety equipment, and provides instruction. That can save a beginner from wasting half the outing guessing where to cast or how to use unfamiliar gear.

Still, the captain cannot control the weather or the fish. Good results are possible, but a responsible booking decision should allow for a slower day.

What to bring, and what the package does not cover

The operator supplies all fishing equipment and safety equipment, along with a cooler, ice, and bottled water. That keeps your packing list short.

You should still plan for the following:

• A valid fishing license, since it is not included
• Food for a longer outing
• Any specialty drinks you want
• Live bait, if you choose to use it
• Personal items you need during several hours on the water

The supplied details do not specify the clothing requirements or a recommended sunscreen policy, so ask the operator for current advice before departure. The same applies to bait. Live bait is specifically excluded, and you should not assume it will be available unless you arrange it.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but anyone with specific mobility, balance, or medical concerns should confirm the boat setup directly with the provider. The activity is private, so only your own group takes part.

Who will get the most from this fishing trip

I would choose this outing for two people who want a private, practical fishing session and do not want to bring their own gear. It also suits a parent and child, especially if one person is new to fishing and would benefit from direct instruction.

It can work well as a change of pace from Miami sightseeing. You get an active morning or afternoon rather than another museum, beach, or restaurant stop. The private boat also removes the social uncertainty of joining strangers.

The trip is less suitable if you want a fully packaged day with hotel pickup, meals, licenses, and bait included. None of those extras are part of the stated package. It is also not the right choice if you specifically want saltwater fishing in Key Largo, since the fishing area is the freshwater Aerojet Canal System near Homestead.

The price favors two people. A solo angler pays the same group rate, while a pair can split the cost. Since the booking is often made well ahead of time, averaging about 39 days in advance, you should not leave it until the last minute if the outing is important to your schedule.

Weather, cancellations, and planning the day

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. Cutoff times follow local time.

This policy is fairly clear, but Florida weather can change your plans. I would avoid placing the fishing trip immediately before an important flight or fixed evening reservation. The meeting point and return to Miami also mean you should leave room for the full duration, especially if you book the longer option.

Final verdict: a strong choice for two anglers

Book this trip if you want a private freshwater fishing session near Miami, especially as a pair. The included gear, bottled water, cooler, captain, and no fish, no pay policy give the $450 group rate real value for two people.

I would be cautious only if you expect Key Largo itself, hotel transportation, or a fully supplied fishing license and bait package. Confirm the meeting arrangements, exact duration, captain, and bait options before booking.

For a couple, two friends, or a parent and child, this is an appealing way to spend several hours on the water. The chance of catching peacock bass is the main draw, while the private format and hands-on instruction make the experience easier for beginners and more focused for experienced anglers.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip meet?

The meeting point is 13145 SW 89th Pl, Miami, FL 33176, USA.

Where does the fishing take place?

The fishing takes place on the Aerojet Canal System near Homestead, Florida.

Does the trip end at the meeting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $450 per group for up to two people.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours. The main fishing portion is listed as four hours, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

What fish can I catch?

The trip focuses on peacock bass and may include other exotic species.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. All fishing equipment and safety equipment are included.

Do I need to bring a fishing license or live bait?

Yes. Fishing licenses and live bait are not included in the price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the trip is canceled because of poor weather.