Homestead Bayfront Park Fishing Pier

Homestead Bayfront Park is the southern end of Biscayne Bay's public shoreline, a county park with a marina, a beach and a fishing pier. It is a good family day with a bait shop close by.

• A fishing pier listed by Miami's official tourism site
• Mangrove snapper, mullet, jacks and barracuda over shallow bay bottom
• A bait and tackle shop at the park's marina
• A beach, a restaurant and a playground on site

The park is at 9698 SW 328th Street in Homestead, beside Biscayne National Park's Convoy Point. Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces runs it.

• Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week
• Fees: the park charges an entry fee per vehicle; the amount varies, so check before you go
• Parking: lots by the beach and the marina
• Pier: whether it is open and when can change, so call the park first
• The Convoy Point jetty next door belongs to Biscayne National Park and has its own entrance

Southern Biscayne Bay holds fish all year, but the cool months bring sheepshead and trout while summer is snapper time.

• Spring (Mar-May): mangrove snapper, jacks and barracuda along the edges
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snapper and snook at dawn and dusk, mullet schools in the shallows
• Fall (Sep-Nov): jacks, ladyfish and snook follow the mullet run
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead, seatrout and black drum on calm days

Light to medium spinning gear with 10 to 15 lb line suits the pier.

• Snapper: live shrimp or cut bait on a small knocker rig
• Snook and barracuda: a live pilchard or pinfish, or a plug at first light
• Jacks and ladyfish: spoons and small jigs fished fast
• Sheepshead: shrimp or fiddler crabs near pilings in winter
• Bottom fish: a small piece of squid or shrimp for grunts and pinfish

Southern Biscayne Bay has two highs and two lows a day, softened by the shallow flats outside.

• Moving tide beats slack, and the first of the incoming is often best
• The shallows warm quickly in summer, so fish early or late
• Strong east winds push in cloudy water; calmer days fish clearer
• Winter cold fronts can switch fish off for a day, then fire them up
• Check a NOAA tide station for Biscayne Bay

The park is flat and family-friendly, but it is an open bay shoreline.

• Keep lines clear of the swim beach and the atoll pool
• Boat traffic uses the marina basin next to the pier
• Summer afternoon storms and lightning are common; leave the pier early
• Sun and mosquitoes are strong; bring water and repellent
• Access: paved walks from the lots; check the pier's surface and railings on arrival

Homestead Bayfront Park is a full-service county park.

• A bait and tackle shop at the Herbert Hoover Marina
• Restrooms at the marina and by the beach
• A restaurant and a snack bar at the beach
• A playground, grills and picnic areas
• Boat launching and wet slips at the marina

• Buy bait at the marina shop and fish the first hour of daylight
• Keep your line well away from the beach and the atoll pool where people wade
• Call the park before you drive down to confirm the pier is open and what the entry fee is
• Pair the park with the Convoy Point jetty for a second option if the wind shifts
• Bring shade, as there is little on the pier
• Check the park calendar, since events can fill the lots

The park is managed by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces.

• County park rules apply; fish only where fishing is allowed and read the posted signs
• Keep clear of the swim beach and the atoll pool, and obey any signs there
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook, tarpon and goliath grouper have special rules; check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything