Fort Lauderdale Inshore Fishing for Beginners
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Beginnerfriendly inshore fishing charter with experienced crew guidanceAll fishing gear and local knowledge provided for easy learningPrivate charter accommodates families with calm coastal waters
If you've always wanted to try fishing but weren't sure where to start, this Fort Lauderdale inshore charter is your perfect introduction to the sport. We'll take you and up to 5 other guests into the protected coastal waters where the fish are biting and the conditions stay comfortable all day long. Our crew handles everything from rigging your lines to coaching you through your first hookup, so you can focus on having fun and maybe landing dinner. The calm inshore waters off Fort Lauderdale are loaded with action year-round, and there's no better way to learn than with experienced guides who know exactly where the fish are holding.
Your day starts at the marina where you'll meet your captain and get a quick rundown of the boat and safety procedures. We'll head out into the Intracoastal Waterway and nearby reefs where the water stays relatively calm and the fish are hungry. This isn't a high-pressure tournament situation – we're here to teach you the basics and make sure everyone has a great time. You'll learn how to cast, how to read your rod tip for bites, and most importantly, how to fight a fish without losing it at the boat. The pace is relaxed, but don't mistake that for boring – these inshore waters are some of the most productive fishing grounds in South Florida. We'll work different spots throughout the day depending on conditions, tides, and where the fish are showing up. Between hookups, you'll get to enjoy the gorgeous Fort Lauderdale coastline and maybe spot some dolphins or sea turtles.
We provide all the gear you'll need, from medium-action spinning rods perfect for beginners to a full tackle selection that matches whatever we're targeting that day. Most of our fishing involves live bait – pilchards, sardines, and shrimp that we'll either catch fresh or pick up from local bait shops. You'll learn how to hook live bait properly so it swims naturally and attracts predators. We also mix in some artificial lures, especially when the fish are aggressive and hitting anything that moves. Techniques vary based on what we're after, but expect to do plenty of drift fishing where we let the current carry us over productive bottom while you work your baits at different depths. When the bite gets hot, we might anchor up and chum the water to bring the fish right to us. Your captain will show you how to set the hook properly, how to pump and wind when fighting bigger fish, and how to use the boat's momentum to your advantage.
Blackfin Tuna are some of the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter in these waters, typically running 10-25 pounds and known for their blistering runs and stubborn attitude. They show up best from fall through spring when water temperatures drop slightly, and they absolutely hammer live sardines and small lures trolled at moderate speeds. What makes blackfins so exciting is their unpredictability – one minute you're fighting dead weight, the next they're screaming drag and heading for the horizon. They're also excellent table fare with dark red meat that's perfect for sashimi or blackened preparations.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of South Florida fishing, and while they're more common offshore, we occasionally hook them in deeper inshore waters, especially during their winter migration from December through March. These spectacular fish can reach 6-8 feet long and put on an aerial show that'll have you reaching for your phone camera. Sailfish typically hit live baits like goggle eyes or ballyhoo, and the fight involves multiple jumps, long runs, and plenty of headshaking. Most anglers practice catch and release with sails, making for great photos and conservation-minded fishing.
King Mackerel are year-round residents that love structure, live bait, and putting up a serious scrap when hooked. These toothy predators range from schoolie-sized fish around 10 pounds up to smoker kings pushing 30-40 pounds. They're ambush feeders that typically hit fast and hard, often cutting off inexperienced anglers who don't use wire leaders. Kings are fantastic eating when prepared properly, with firm white meat that grills beautifully or makes excellent fish dip. Peak season runs from fall through early spring when cooler water temperatures bring them closer to shore.
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish are arguably the most beautiful fish swimming in our waters, with electric green, blue, and yellow colors that seem to glow when they're fighting. These fast-growing fish show up around floating debris, weed lines, and structure, often traveling in small schools that can provide multiple hookups. Mahi typically range from 5-20 pounds inshore, with larger bulls occasionally pushing 30+ pounds. They're acrobatic fighters that jump repeatedly and make long runs, plus they're widely considered one of the best eating fish in the ocean with sweet, flaky white meat.
Cobia are the ultimate inshore game fish, combining size, strength, and a curious nature that makes them fun to target with both live bait and sight fishing techniques. These brown sharks lookalikes can reach 40+ pounds and are known for following rays, sharks, and even boats around the flats. Cobia season peaks in spring when they migrate north to spawn, but resident fish can be caught year-round around structure and deep grass flats. They fight like submarines, using their broad tails and powerful bodies to make long, steady runs that test your tackle and technique. The meat is excellent, often compared to shark with a firm texture that holds up well to grilling or frying.
This top-rated beginner fishing charter fills up quickly, especially during prime fishing months when the weather cooperates and the fish are most active. Fort Lauderdale's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing in South Florida, and there's no better way to learn than with experience
Step aboard our 27-foot SeaVee motorboat, built specifically for saltwater fishing adventures along Fort Lauderdale's productive inshore waters. This reliable fishing machine comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish. The 200 HP Volvo engine delivers smooth performance, cruising at 35 knots to get you to the best fishing spots quickly. Equipped with outriggers for trolling, tuna tubes for live bait, and a well-maintained bait tank, you'll have everything needed to target snook, tarpon, and redfish in the shallows. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools while GPS navigation ensures we hit all the productive flats and channels. A refrigerator keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida fishing days. Perfect for beginners looking to learn proper techniques in Fort Lauderdale's calm coastal waters.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the crown jewel of our offshore fishing here in Fort Lauderdale. These fish average 6-8 feet and around 50 pounds, but it's not their size that gets people excited - it's watching them leap and tail-walk across the surface when hooked. We typically find them in 30-65 feet of water, though they'll hunt deeper when conditions call for it. Winter months are prime time, especially December through March when they're thick along our coast. The fight is what brings people back - they're fast, strong, and put on an aerial show unlike anything else. Their striking blue and silver colors with that massive dorsal fin make for great photos too. My go-to technique is slow-trolling with the boat barely moving, letting your leader swim naturally. When a sail shows up, tease it a bit before letting it take the bait, then hold on tight because they'll immediately try to shake that hook.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, usually running 15-25 pounds with some reaching 40+ pounds. They're gorgeous fish with that classic tuna build, dark backs, and a golden stripe that fades once they're out of the water. Around Fort Lauderdale, we find them in 40-150 feet of water, especially during fall through spring when they school up near the continental shelf. These fish are absolute rockets - they'll test your drag and give you a proper workout. The meat is fantastic too, perfect for sushi or grilling. They've got sharp eyes, so I always recommend scaling down your leader to 30-pound fluorocarbon and using smaller circle hooks. One trick that works great here is using live pilchards as chum to draw them up to the boat, then dropping a jig or live bait right into the school.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of our coastal waters - brown, powerful, and built for a fight. These fish typically run 30-60 pounds around Fort Lauderdale, with some real giants pushing 80+ pounds. You'll find them around wrecks, reefs, buoys, and any structure in 20-100 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is prime time, when they're moving through on their way north. What makes cobia special is they're usually loners, so when you see one, it's a sight-fishing opportunity. They fight dirty too - long, powerful runs that'll test your tackle and your back. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that tastes like a cross between shark and grouper. Since they're often cruising just under the surface, keep your eyes peeled for that dark shadow. A bucktail jig bounced near the bottom usually does the trick, but don't be surprised if they follow it right to the boat before deciding to eat.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel, or "kingfish" as we call them locally, are some of the fastest and most aggressive fish you'll encounter off Fort Lauderdale. They typically run 15-30 pounds, though we see some monsters over 50 pounds during peak season. These fish cruise in 40-150 feet of water along our reefs and wrecks, hunting in small groups or solo. Spring through fall is prime time, with the bigger fish showing up in winter months. What makes kings so popular is their blistering speed - they'll scream line off your reel like few other fish. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, flaky meat that grills perfectly. Kings have razor-sharp teeth, so always use a wire leader. The key trick is using a two-hook rig with live bait - one hook through the nose, another through the back. They love to hit the tail end of baitfish, so that second hook saves a lot of missed strikes.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are hands-down one of the most beautiful and fun fish to catch around Fort Lauderdale. They average 15-25 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds, and their color-changing display when hooked is something everyone remembers. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in blue water, usually within a few miles of shore. Spring through fall is best, especially when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. These fish are pure excitement - they jump, run, and put up a fight that's hard to match. The meat is also top-shelf, with firm white flesh that's perfect for grilling or blackening. They're curious fish that love commotion, so once you hook one, keep the rest of the school around by leaving it in the water while you get more lines ready. Look for frigate birds working debris piles - they'll lead you right to the mahi.
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