5.0(1 Reviews)Customizable Inshore Fishing Fort Lauderdale
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target sailfish, tuna, cobia and mahi-mahi inshoreExpert crew provides top-tier gear and local knowledgePrivate charters accommodate up to 6 guests comfortably
Fort Lauderdale's inshore waters are packed with some of the most sought-after game fish on the East Coast, and this customizable charter puts you right where the action is hottest. With Fort Lauderdale Beach Charters, you're not just booking a fishing trip – you're getting a front-row seat to some of the best angling South Florida has to offer. Our seasoned crew knows exactly where these fish hang out, and we'll put you on them whether you're looking to battle your first sailfish or add another king mackerel to your trophy collection. Every trip is tailored to what you want to target, so whether you're dead set on finding mahi or hoping to tangle with a cobia, we've got the local knowledge to make it happen.
This isn't your typical cookie-cutter fishing charter. We keep our groups small at six anglers max, which means more room to fight fish and more personal attention from our crew. The waters off Fort Lauderdale are legendary for good reason – the Gulf Stream runs close to shore here, bringing warm, nutrient-rich water that attracts everything from blackfin tuna to massive sailfish. You'll be fishing in depths ranging from 80 to 400 feet, where the bottom drops off quickly and the big fish patrol. The boat comes equipped with top-shelf tackle and all the gear you need, but feel free to bring your lucky rod if you've got one. Our captain reads the water like a book, watching for diving birds, temperature breaks, and current edges that hold fish. Some days we'll troll the edges, other days we'll drift live bait over structure – it all depends on what the fish are telling us.
Fort Lauderdale's inshore scene is all about versatility, and our tackle box reflects that. We run everything from light spinning gear for smaller tunas to heavy conventional setups for those bruiser sailfish. Trolling is our bread and butter here – we'll pull a spread of ballyhoo, bonita strips, and lures at varying depths to cover the water column. When we mark fish on the finder or spot them working bait on the surface, we'll switch to live bait fishing with goggle eyes, pilchards, or whatever's fresh at the bait shop that morning. The key to success in these waters is staying mobile and adapting to conditions. If the sailfish are finicky, we might slow-troll with kites to keep baits dancing on the surface. When the mahi are school-sized and aggressive, we'll throw everything but the kitchen sink at them. Our Furuno electronics keep us on the fish, and our outriggers let us spread baits wide to maximize our chances.
The sailfish action off Fort Lauderdale is world-class, especially during the winter months when these billfish stack up along the reef line. These acrobatic fighters average 6-8 feet and put on a show you'll never forget – expect multiple jumps and long runs that'll test your drag system. Blackfin tuna are year-round residents here, typically running 10-25 pounds and perfect for anglers wanting fast action on lighter tackle. They school up around structure and temperature breaks, often mixed with bonita and small mahi. King mackerel patrol the same areas, with fall and winter bringing the biggest fish – some topping 40 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and blistering runs. Mahi mahi show up best from spring through early fall, ranging from schoolies perfect for the dinner table to bull dolphins pushing 30 pounds that'll give you an arm workout. Cobia are the wild cards – these curious, powerful fish can show up anytime, often following rays or sharks, and they're absolute bulldogs once hooked.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of Fort Lauderdale fishing, and for good reason. These billfish are most active from December through March when they migrate south along our coast. What makes them special isn't just their size – though 7-footers aren't uncommon – it's their fighting style. A hooked sail will launch itself completely out of the water, tail-walking and gill-rattling in a display that'll get your heart pumping. They're also surprisingly smart, often requiring a delicate presentation with live bait or perfectly rigged ballyhoo to get them to commit.
Blackfin Tuna might be smaller than their yellowfin cousins, but don't let that fool you. These 15-25 pound speedsters are available year-round and fight way above their weight class. They school up around structure and weed lines, often betraying their presence by working bait on the surface. What anglers love about blackfins is their willingness to bite – when you find a school, you can often catch them two at a time. Plus, they're fantastic table fare, perfect for sushi or searing on the grill.
King Mackerel are the teeth-gnashing, line-screaming fish that separate beginners from experienced anglers. Fall through spring brings the biggest kings, with 30-40 pounders common along the reef line. They're ambush predators that'll crush a trolled bait and immediately make a blistering run toward the bottom or structure. Smart kings will try to cut your line on the reef, so you've got to turn them quick and keep steady pressure. Their razor-sharp teeth mean wire leaders are mandatory, and their speed means your drag better be set right.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and chaos that makes offshore fishing addictive. From April through October, schools of these brilliant fish roam the blue water, often under floating debris or sargassum patches. Bull mahi can exceed 40 pounds and put up a bulldogging fight with spectacular jumps, while school fish provide fast-paced action that's perfect for families and new anglers. What
This 27-foot SeaVee motorboat is built for serious saltwater fishing in Fort Lauderdale waters. The reliable Volvo 200 HP engine pushes you to fishing spots at 35 knots, while the GPS and fish finder help locate where the action is happening. With room for 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the lines without getting tangled up. The boat comes equipped with outriggers for trolling, tuna tubes for live bait, and a proper bait tank to keep everything fresh. When you hook into Sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, or Cobia, there's enough deck space to fight these fish properly. The onboard refrigerator keeps your catch cold and drinks fresh throughout the day. Whether you're targeting trophy fish or filling the cooler, this motorboat has the gear and performance to get you on the fish in Fort Lauderdale's productive inshore waters.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing here in Fort Lauderdale. These magnificent fish average 7-8 feet and around 50 pounds, but it's not just their size that gets anglers fired up - it's that massive sail-like dorsal fin and their aerial acrobatics. You'll find them cruising 30-65 feet deep along current edges and temperature breaks. Winter months bring the best action when they're thick off our coast, especially in that famous "Sailfish Alley" stretch from Miami to Fort Pierce. What makes them special? They're lightning fast, jump repeatedly, and change colors during the fight - blue to black with flashing stripes. The meat's decent, but most folks release these beauties. Pro tip: when teasing one up, let it eat the bait completely before setting the hook - they'll often grab it and shake their head first.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the smallest of the tuna family but pack serious punch for their size. These beauties typically run 15-30 pounds and rarely exceed 39 inches, making them perfect for anglers wanting tuna action without the heavy tackle. You'll find them in schools around 40-150 feet, often mixed with other tunas near structure and current breaks. They're most active during fall, winter, and spring here in South Florida when water temps stay above 68°F. What makes them special? They fight like fish twice their size and put incredible sashimi-grade meat in the cooler. Here's a local trick: scale down your leader to 30-pound fluorocarbon and use smaller 5/0 circle hooks with live pilchards - these fish have sharp eyes and spook easily with heavy tackle. The bronze reflections on their fins are stunning when they come boatside.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - and once you hook one, you'll know why they're called "brown torpedoes." These bruisers average 30-60 pounds and stretch 4-6 feet, built like submarines with attitudes to match. They're loners, typically found around reefs, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet of water during spring and summer. May through August brings peak action when they move through on their spawning migration. What makes them special? They fight dirty - long, powerful runs that'll test your drag, and the white, crab-like meat rivals grouper. Plus, they're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat. You'll spot them cruising just under the surface, tails waving like flags. Here's the key: sight-cast a bucktail jig ahead of them and work it slow - they'll usually eat it if you don't spook them first. Color doesn't matter much.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings" as we call them, are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and tackle. These olive-backed fighters typically weigh 20-40 pounds, though we see plenty over 50 pounds during peak season. They patrol depths from 40-150 feet, cruising along ledges, wrecks, and current breaks where baitfish concentrate. Spring through fall brings the best action as they follow warm water north, but winter fishing can be solid too when conditions line up. What makes them great targets? Pure speed - they'll rip line off your reel like few other fish can, and their white, flaky meat is outstanding table fare. Just remember to use wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono instantly. Here's an old-timer trick: rig two hooks on your live bait - one in the nose and a stinger hook near the tail since Kings often hit from behind.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter offshore. These golden beauties average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds, with males sporting that distinctive bull-head profile. They're surface dwellers, usually found around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 100+ feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action here, especially when water temps climb above 75°F. What makes them special? They light up like neon signs when hooked - flashing gold, green, and blue - plus they jump, run, and rarely give up easy. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality. They school up, so where there's one, there's usually more. Local tip: once you hook the first one, keep live bait ready and stay put - the school will stick around while you're fighting fish. Make your bait skip on the surface like a flying fish to really get them excited.
5.0 out of 5.0Great trip got onto some nice black fin tuna and with captain brads expertise showed us some tips on how to make some great eats
Fort Lauderdale