Fort Lauderdale Pelagic Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour offshore charter targeting sailfish, mahi, and tunaAccommodates six guests with flexible fishing techniques throughout dayCaptain adjusts locations and methods based on changing conditions
When you want to get serious about offshore fishing in South Florida, this 8-hour pelagic charter puts you right where the action is. We're talking blue water hunting at its finest – trolling the edge, working live baits, and chasing pelagic species that make Fort Lauderdale one of the top-rated fishing destinations on the East Coast. With room for up to six anglers, this full-day adventure gives you the time and flexibility to really dial in on what's biting and stay with the fish when you find them.
This charter is all about adapting to what Mother Nature serves up. Your captain's got decades of local knowledge and knows exactly where to find the fish based on current conditions, water temperature, and seasonal patterns. We'll head out to the blue water where the real pelagic action happens – that's where sailfish cruise the current lines, mahi mahi stack up under floating debris, and wahoo come screaming out of nowhere to crush a trolled bait. The 8-hour window means we're not rushing back to the dock when things get hot. If we're on a good bite at hour six, we're staying put and making the most of it. That's the beauty of booking a full-day trip with experienced guides who know these waters like the back of their hand.
We'll mix up our approach throughout the day to keep things interesting and productive. Trolling is our bread and butter – pulling a spread of lures and rigged baits at varying speeds to cover water and locate active fish. When we mark fish on the sounder or spot birds working, we'll switch to live baiting with goggle eyes, pilchards, or whatever bait is running strong that day. Kite fishing is another deadly technique we use, especially for sailfish and kings – it keeps baits swimming naturally on the surface where predators can't resist. Some days call for chunking or dropping baits deep on the wrecks and structure. Your captain reads the conditions and adjusts tactics accordingly, which is what separates the weekend warriors from the pros who consistently put fish in the boat.
King mackerel are the workhorses of Fort Lauderdale's offshore scene, and for good reason. These silver rockets typically run 15-40 pounds in our waters, with bigger fish showing up during the cooler months from November through March. Kings are aggressive feeders that respond well to both trolled spoons and live bait presentations. What makes them so exciting is their initial run – when a big king hits your bait, it's going to peel line off the reel faster than you can believe. They're also excellent eating, which makes them a customer favorite for folks who want to take home a fresh fish dinner.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish as the old-timers call them, are pure eye candy both in the water and on the dinner plate. These golden beauties average 10-25 pounds in our area, with bull dolphins pushing 40-50 pounds when conditions are right. Peak season runs from April through October when the water warms up and the Gulfstream pushes closer to shore. Mahi are schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They're attracted to floating debris, weed lines, and structure, making them perfect targets for our pelagic-focused approach. The colors on these fish are absolutely stunning – brilliant gold, green, and blue that light up when they're fighting.
Greater amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef – thick-bodied bruisers that will test your tackle and your shoulders. These fish commonly run 30-60 pounds in Fort Lauderdale waters, with true giants exceeding 100 pounds lurking around the deeper wrecks. AJ's are year-round residents, but they're most active during the spring and summer months. What makes amberjack so challenging is their fighting style – they dive straight down and use their broad sides to pull against you. It's a tug-of-war that separates experienced anglers from newcomers real quick.
Great barracuda are the wolves of the reef, and Fort Lauderdale's clear waters give you a front-row seat to watch these predators hunt. Most of our cuda run 10-25 pounds, but the occasional 40-pounder shows up to remind you why these fish have such a fearsome reputation. They're lightning-fast strikers that will smoke a trolled lure or explode on a live bait without warning. Barracuda are also sight fishing opportunities – seeing that silver torpedo materialize out of the blue and track your bait is pure adrenaline.
Cobia are the gentle giants of the pelagic world, cruising the surface like underwater submarines. These brown bombers average 20-50 pounds in our waters, with fish over 60 pounds making appearances during their spring migration. Cobia are curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you a chance to sight-cast or drop a live bait right in front of them. They're incredibly strong fighters that use their broad heads and thick bodies to maximum advantage. Plus, cobia are world-class table fare – firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.
This 8-hour pelagic charter represents serious value for dedicated anglers who want a world-class offshore experience. The extended time on the water, combined with our captain's local expertise and flexible approach, gives you the best shot at connecting with Fort Lauderdale's renowned pelagic fishery. Whether you're looking to check species off your bucket list, put some quality fish in the cooler, or just experience the rush of blue water fishing, this trip delivers. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so plan accordingly. The fish are out there waiting – now it's time to go find them.
This 38' Hatteras is built to handle Fort Lauderdale's offshore waters with twin 330hp Cummins engines that'll get you to the fish fast. The spacious cockpit gives your crew plenty of room to work lines, while the 35' outriggers spread your spread wide for trolling. When the Florida sun gets intense, duck into the air-conditioned salon for a break. The boat's loaded with serious fishing gear - fish finder to mark schools, livewell for fresh bait, and icebox to keep your catch and drinks cold. Navigate safely with GPS and radar, plus there's a full restroom onboard for those long days chasing sailfish and mahi. The flybridge gives your captain a clear view to spot birds and feeding fish. Perfect setup for up to six anglers ready to tackle whatever's biting in the blue water.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the golden retrievers of gamefish - big, brown, and surprisingly friendly. These bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can hit 80-100 pounds, looking like sharks with that dark coloration and single dorsal fin. They cruise shallow reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet, often visible right at the surface. Spring and summer are prime time when they're spawning and migrating. Guests love them because they're sight-fishing targets - you actually see the fish before you cast - and they eat like they're starving. Plus, cobia are absolutely top-shelf table fare, firm white meat that's hard to beat. Best tip: use a heavy bucktail jig and don't be shy about getting close - cobia are curious and will often swim right up to the boat to investigate.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the ocean's silver bullets - sleek, fast, and armed with a mouth full of razor teeth. Most run 3-5 feet long, cruising shallow reefs, wrecks, and edges in 20-100 feet. They're around year-round but really turn on during spring spawning season. What makes them fun is that explosive strike and the way they'll jump and thrash when hooked, though they tire pretty quick. They're curious fish that'll often follow lures or check out divers. While the meat can be good, most folks target them for the sport. Here's what works: bright, flashy lures or live bait, but always use a wire leader - those teeth will slice through mono like butter. Keep your hands clear when landing one; even a tired cuda can still bite.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldogs of the deep - thick, powerful fish that average 30-50 pounds and can push well over 100. They hang around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 80-200 feet, year-round but best in spring and fall. These fish will test every bit of your tackle with that first bulldogging run straight for the bottom. Guests love the challenge because amberjack just don't quit - they'll fight you all the way to the boat. The meat's solid too, firm and white when prepared right. Fair warning though - bigger ones can carry ciguatera, so we usually focus on the 20-40 pounders for the table. My advice: bring heavy tackle, at least 50-pound test, and be ready to put some muscle into it when they head for the structure.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are some of the fastest fish we target, averaging 15-30 pounds with plenty reaching 40-50 pounds. They cruise the 40-150 foot depths year-round here, but spring and fall migrations bring the best action when water temps hit 68-84°F. These silver rockets with razor teeth make blistering runs that'll test your drag and endurance. What makes them special is that speed - they're built like torpedoes and fight like it. The meat's excellent too, though watch those sharp teeth when landing one. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig two hooks on live bait - kings love hitting the tail section of ballyhoo or blue runners, so that stinger hook back there saves a lot of cut-offs.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the showstoppers of offshore fishing - those electric colors shifting from gold to blue-green as they fight will blow you away. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we see plenty of bulls pushing 40-50 pounds. They love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in that blue water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps warm up. What guests love most is how these fish just go crazy on the hook - jumping, tail-walking, putting on a real show. Plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that firm white meat. Here's the trick: when you hook one, leave the others in the water and work fast - mahi travel in schools and stick around if you keep one hooked.
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