Full Day Fort Lauderdale Deep Sea Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full 8-hour offshore fishing trip aboard 46' Hatteras vesselTarget sailfish, mahi, tuna, sharks with professional captain and mateAccommodates up to 6 guests with fighting chair and fish-finder
Picture this: you're 8 hours into blue water aboard a 46' Hatteras with Captain Will Daley, fighting chair locked and loaded, watching your outriggers dance as something big takes a swipe at your spread. That's exactly what you'll get with Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing – a no-nonsense, full-day offshore adventure that puts you right in the heart of South Florida's best fishing grounds. We're talking serious sportfishing here, not some half-day tourist run. With room for up to 6 anglers, top-shelf electronics, and a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps guys coming back season after season.
Captain Will runs a tight ship on the Don't Tell Mom, and you'll feel it the moment you step aboard at 301 Seabreeze Blvd. This isn't your typical charter boat – we're talking about a 46-foot Hatteras built for serious offshore work. The first mate knows his stuff and will have you rigged up and ready before you clear the inlet. Two live wells keep your baits frisky, while the Garmin GPS and Furuno fish-finder help locate structure and baitfish that hold the gamefish you're after. The fighting chair gets plenty of use out here, especially when the sailfish are lit up or a big king decides to make a run. With outriggers spread wide, you'll be trolling a proper spread that covers water and triggers strikes from multiple species. The vibe is relaxed but focused – Captain Will and his mate are there to put you on fish, but they expect you to bring some fishing knowledge and enthusiasm to the table.
This is true blue water fishing, which means we're running miles offshore to hit the current breaks, weed lines, and structure that hold pelagic gamefish. The typical spread includes a mix of live baits on the outriggers, ballyhoo on the flat lines, and teasers to draw fish up from the depths. Captain Will reads water like a book – he's looking for temperature breaks, floating sargassum, and bird activity that signal feeding fish below. When the conditions are right, you might spend time working a single piece of structure for hours, especially if there's a good grouper bite happening on the bottom. The boat carries everything from spinning tackle for casting to live bait, to heavy trolling gear capable of handling wahoo and big tuna. Live bait fishing is a major part of the program here, and those two live wells get a workout keeping pilchards, goggle-eyes, and blue runners in prime condition. When you hook up, the first mate is right there with coaching and gaffing duties, but don't expect him to fight your fish – that's your job.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of South Florida offshore fishing, and Fort Lauderdale sits right in the sweet spot for these acrobatic fighters. Peak season runs from November through April, when cooler water temps push baitfish closer to shore and the sails follow. These fish average 6-8 feet and 40-60 pounds, but don't let the weight fool you – a hot sailfish will clear the water half a dozen times and make runs that test your drag system and your arms. Most anglers practice catch and release with sails, making for great photos and even better fish stories. The bite typically happens in 80-250 feet of water along the reef line, where the fish cruise looking for scattered ballyhoo and pilchards.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter fish of the offshore fleet, and for good reason – they bite year-round, fight hard, and make excellent table fare when prepared right. These silver torpedoes range from schoolie fish around 10-15 pounds up to smoker kings pushing 40-50 pounds or more. The bigger fish typically show up during the fall and winter months when they're staging for their spawning runs. Kings have razor-sharp teeth and a nasty habit of cutting through leaders, so wire is a must. They'll hit both trolled baits and live offerings, but nothing beats the excitement of watching a big king crash a goggle-eye on the surface. The meat is fantastic when bled immediately and kept on ice – many charter customers specifically target kings for the dinner table.
Mahi Mahi bring color and excitement to any offshore trip, with their brilliant gold and green sides flashing as they fight near the surface. These fish are structure-oriented, often found around floating debris, weed lines, or any piece of flotsam that provides shade and attracts baitfish. School-sized mahi run 5-15 pounds and travel in groups, meaning when you find one, you've often found several. The bigger bull mahi are loners that can exceed 30-40 pounds and provide arm-burning fights on medium tackle. Mahi are excellent eating and one of the most popular fish for the cooler. Peak season in Fort Lauderdale waters typically runs from spring through early fall, though scattered fish show up year-round when conditions are right.
Wahoo represent the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of smoking line off your reel faster than almost any other fish in the ocean. These streamlined predators prefer deeper water and stronger current, often showing up around 200-400 feet or more. Most wahoo are caught trolling high-speed lures or rigged ballyhoo, though they'll occasionally hit live baits. The average fish runs 20-40 pounds, but the occasional monster exceeding 60-80 pounds shows up to test equipment and angler skills. Wahoo have mouths full of sharp teeth that can slice through heavy mono like a knife, making wire leaders absolutely essential. The meat is white, flaky, and considered by many to be the finest eating fish in the ocean – definitely a fish worth keeping for the table.
Bull Shark encounters ad
Captain Will Daley's 46' Hatteras "Don't Tell Mom" is built for serious offshore fishing in Fort Lauderdale waters. This sportfishing machine packs Detroit Diesel power to get you to the fish fast, with outriggers and dual live wells to keep the action going all day. The fighting chair is ready for those big sailfish and bull sharks, while the Garmin GPS and Furuno fish-finder help locate schools of mahi, tuna, and wahoo. Between hookups, cool off with AC, grab cold drinks from the fridge, or take a break on the flybridge. With a experienced crew, full galley, and room for 6 anglers, this boat handles everything from family trips to hardcore fishing missions. Whether you're targeting kings along the reef or heading deep for blackfin tuna, the "Don't Tell Mom" delivers comfort and fish-raising capability in one solid package.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the showstoppers of offshore fishing - these blue-gray beauties with their massive dorsal fins can reach 7-8 feet and weigh around 50 pounds. We typically find them in 30-65 feet of water, though they'll chase bait deeper when needed. The winter months are prime time here in Fort Lauderdale, especially December through March when they're migrating through our waters. What makes them special? Pure athleticism. They'll jump, dive, and put on an aerial show that'll get your heart pumping. Plus, they're lightning fast - some say they hit 60+ mph. Here's a local tip: when teasing them up, be patient. Let the fish get worked up behind the boat before presenting your bait. Once hooked, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - they'll tire themselves out with all that jumping.
Carcharhinus LeucasBulls are the heavyweights that'll put your tackle to the test. These thick-bodied bruisers typically run 6-10 feet and 200-400 pounds, with massive shoulders and attitude to match. We find them in shallow coastal waters, often 20-60 feet, especially around structure or bait schools. They're around year-round, but summer months bring the best action when they're more active in warmer water. What guests love? The raw power and fight. Bulls are known for their strength and stubbornness - they'll dig deep and make you work for every inch. It's catch-and-release, but the battle is what you'll remember. Local secret: fresh eel is hard to beat for bait. Its oily scent and tough skin make it perfect. Use heavy tackle - 50-80 pound class - and be ready for a tug-of-war that might last 30 minutes.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed demons that'll test your drag system. These silver bullets typically run 20-40 pounds, though we see some monsters pushing 50+ pounds out here. Look for them along the reef line in 40-100 feet of water, especially around structure or temperature breaks. Fall and winter are peak season in South Florida - October through February is when they're thick. What makes them fun? Pure speed and stamina. They'll make long, smoking runs that'll have you wondering if your reel's going to survive. The meat's excellent too - white, flaky, and perfect for the grill. Pro tip from years of chasing them: always use a wire leader. Their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono or fluoro like butter. And when trolling, vary your speeds - sometimes they want it fast, sometimes slow.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the golden beauties that change colors like a light show when you boat them. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we see bulls pushing 50+ pounds during peak season. They love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in blue water, usually in the top 20 feet. Spring through fall is prime time here - April through October gives us the best action. What guests love most? The fight and the table fare. They're strong, acrobatic fish that make great runs, plus the meat is sweet and mild - perfect for fish tacos. The color changes from brilliant gold and green to silver are something to see. Local trick: when you hook one, leave it in the water a bit. Mahi travel in schools, so while one's hooked, quickly pitch baits to the others circling underneath.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the rockets of the deep blue - built like torpedoes and just as fast. These sleek predators average 20-40 pounds but can hit 60+ pounds, with distinctive blue stripes along their silver sides. We find them in deeper water, usually 100+ feet, often near drop-offs or current edges. Best fishing is fall through winter, with November through February being prime time. What makes them special? Pure speed - they'll hit a lure at 50+ mph and make blistering runs that'll smoke your drag. The meat is white, flaky, and considered some of the best eating in the ocean. My go-to setup: high-speed trolling with wire leaders is essential - their razor teeth will slice anything else. Run lures at 12-15 knots and be ready for a freight train hit. When one's on, hang tight!
Fort Lauderdale, FL