Deep Sea Fishing Fort Lauderdale - Target Sailfish
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour offshore fishing trip aboard 46' Hatteras sportfishing vesselTarget mahi mahi, tuna, sailfish, sharks with professional crewAccommodates up to 6 guests with fighting chair and outriggers
Captain William Daley knows these waters like the back of his hand, and his 46-foot Hatteras "Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing" is built for serious offshore action. You'll spend six solid hours targeting some of Florida's most prized gamefish, from aggressive mahi mahi to lightning-fast sailfish. This isn't your typical tourist boat ride – we're talking about a legitimate sportfishing charter with professional-grade equipment, a seasoned first mate, and a captain who lives and breathes these Gulf Stream waters. The boat comfortably handles up to six anglers, so whether you're bringing the family or a crew of fishing buddies, everyone gets prime real estate at the rail.
Your day starts at 301 Seabreeze Blvd, where you'll step aboard a well-maintained Hatteras that's equipped with everything serious anglers need. We're talking outriggers for proper bait presentation, livewells to keep your catch fresh, GPS and fishfinder technology to locate the fish, and a fighting chair for when you hook into something that wants to put up a real battle. Captain Daley runs these trips with a professional first mate who knows how to rig baits, manage lines, and coach you through the fight when a big fish decides to test your arms. The Gulf Stream current brings in pelagic species year-round, and we'll be trolling the productive waters where temperature breaks and current edges hold feeding fish. Expect to cover some serious ground as we follow the bite, and don't be surprised if we adjust our strategy based on what the fish are telling us.
Out here in the deep blue, we rely on proven trolling methods that have been putting fish in the boat for decades. The outriggers let us spread our lines wide, presenting multiple baits at different distances from the boat wake. We'll be running a mix of live ballyhoo, rigged with circle hooks and sea witches, plus some artificials like cedar plugs and diving plugs that trigger reaction strikes. The first mate handles most of the rigging, but if you want to learn the finer points of bait presentation or wire leader construction, just ask – these guys love sharing their knowledge with curious anglers. When fish are marking on the finder, we might switch to vertical jigging or live bait fishing, especially when we're over structure or working a temperature break. The fighting chair comes into play when you hook something substantial – kingfish, wahoo, and big mahi can really test your tackle, and having that back support makes all the difference during a long fight.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of South Florida sportfishing, and Fort Lauderdale sits right in their migration path. These acrobatic fighters typically show up in good numbers from December through April, when they're following bait schools down the coast. A sailfish will absolutely light up when hooked, launching itself clear out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll get everyone on the boat yelling. They're not huge fish – most run between 30 and 60 pounds – but pound for pound, there's nothing that fights quite like a sail. The key to finding them is locating the right water temperature and bait concentrations, which Captain Daley has been doing successfully for years.
King Mackerel, or "kingfish" as the locals call them, are another Fort Lauderdale staple that'll give you a workout. These toothy speedsters love trolled baits and will absolutely scream line off your reel on that initial run. Kings range from school-sized fish around 10 pounds up to true monsters pushing 40 or 50 pounds. They're excellent eating when handled properly, and they're aggressive enough that even novice anglers can hook up. The best part about targeting kings is they often travel in schools, so once you find them, multiple hookups are definitely possible.
Mahi Mahi, also called dolphinfish or dorado, are probably the most colorful and exciting fish you'll encounter out here. These gorgeous fish flash brilliant gold, green, and blue when they're fired up, and they're notorious for their aerial displays. Mahi are structure-oriented, so we'll often find them around floating debris, weed lines, or even other hooked fish. They're curious and aggressive, making them relatively easy to hook, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table. School-sized mahi run 5 to 15 pounds, but the bigger bulls can push 30 or 40 pounds and provide serious entertainment.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of reaching speeds over 60 mph and armed with razor-sharp teeth that can slice through wire. These sleek predators prefer the deeper, clearer waters of the Gulf Stream, and they're suckers for fast-moving trolled baits. A wahoo strike is unmistakable – they'll nearly rip the rod out of your hands with their initial run. Most wahoo caught off Fort Lauderdale range from 20 to 50 pounds, though larger specimens definitely swim these waters. They're fantastic eating and considered one of the premier gamefish in South Florida waters.
Black Grouper represent the bottom-dwelling powerhouses you might encounter when we're fishing near structure or reefs. These bruisers use their broad tails and powerful bodies to try bulldogging their way back to cover when hooked. Grouper fishing requires heavier tackle and quick reflexes – once they feel the hook, they'll immediately try to reach the nearest ledge or cave. Most black grouper caught offshore range from 10 to 30 pounds, though larger fish definitely inhabit the deeper waters. They're excellent table fare and a favorite target for anglers who appreciate a good tug-of-war.
Captain Daley's reputation for putting clients on fish speaks for
Step aboard the 46' Hatteras "Don't Tell Mom" and get ready to chase some serious fish in Fort Lauderdale's deep blue waters. Captain William Daley's sportfishing machine comes loaded with twin Detroit Diesel engines that'll get you to the hot spots fast, plus all the gear you need including outriggers, live wells, and a fighting chair for battling those big ones. The boat's got you covered with AC to stay cool between strikes, GPS and fish-finder to locate the action, plus a full galley, head, and even a bed if someone needs a quick rest. With space for up to 6 anglers and a pro first mate to help land your catch, this Hatteras is built for serious offshore fishing. Whether you're targeting mahi, tuna, king mackerel, or hoping to tangle with a sailfish or shark, you'll have everything needed for a productive day on the water. The flybridge gives you great visibility to spot fish, while the icebox and fridge keep your drinks cold and bait fresh.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are the showstoppers of our offshore trips - they're built for speed and put on quite a display when hooked. These fish average around 7.5 feet and 50 pounds, with that signature sail-like dorsal fin and brilliant blue coloring. We find them in 30-65 feet of water year-round here in Fort Lauderdale, but winter months from December through March are prime time when they school up. What makes sailfish special is their fight - they'll leap, dive, and make long runs that'll test your endurance. The meat's decent eating, but most folks release them for the sport. My tip: when you see that sail light up and the fish comes to the spread, resist the urge to pull too hard early on. Let them take the bait and start their first run before setting the hook firm.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the bulldogs of the reef - thick, powerful fish that'll test your tackle and technique. They average 10-30 pounds around here, with that distinctive mottled pattern and chunky build. We find them on ledges, wrecks, and structure in 60-200 feet, depending on the season. They move shallow in winter and deeper during summer months. What anglers love is the challenge - grouper will try to dive straight back to the rocks when hooked, so it's a tug-of-war from the start. The payoff is some of the best eating fish around, with sweet, firm white meat. They're ambush predators that inhale their prey whole, so when you feel that thump, reel fast and hard. Here's the key: use heavy tackle with at least 30-pound drag and crank them up immediately. Give them time to think and they'll wrap you around the structure every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel, or "kings" as we call them, are speed demons that'll give you a workout. These silvery torpedoes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we've seen them push 60+ pounds. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water around structure, drop-offs, and along the reef line. Best fishing is fall through spring when water temps are in the 70s. Kings are popular because they fight hard with long runs and have excellent white meat that's perfect for the grill. They hunt in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Here's a local trick: rig your live bait with a stinger hook behind the main hook. Kings often grab bait from behind and that second hook will save you from a lot of cut-offs. Their razor-sharp teeth mean wire leaders are a must.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are hands-down one of the most exciting fish we target. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds, and their golden sides with electric blue and green colors are stunning in the water. We find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current edges, usually in the top 50 feet. Peak season runs May through September when the water's warm. What guests love about mahi is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump repeatedly and make strong runs. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with sweet, white meat. They often travel in schools, so we'll usually boat several once we locate them. Pro tip: when you hook one, leave it in the water while we get more baits out. The hooked fish will keep the school around, and we can often catch multiple mahi from the same spot.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the Formula 1 cars of the ocean, hitting speeds up to 60 mph. These sleek predators average 20-50 pounds with distinctive blue stripes and razor-sharp teeth. We target them in open water, typically 100+ feet deep, though they'll come up shallow chasing bait. Winter months from November to March are best here in South Florida. What makes wahoo special is their blistering initial run - they'll peel line off like nothing else. The meat is top-shelf too, white and flaky with a mild taste that's perfect for fish tacos. They're loners mostly, so it's usually one-and-done. My go-to technique is high-speed trolling with wire leaders - their teeth will cut through anything else. Run your baits at 12-15 knots and hold on tight when one hits. That first run is something you won't forget.
Fort Lauderdale, FL