Top Rated Half Day Guided Fishing in Pompano Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fourhour offshore trip targeting sailfish, mahi mahi, and tunaExperienced crew provides gear and stepbystep guidanceAccommodates up to six guests with nonrefundable deposits
Get ready for four solid hours of blue water action off Pompano Beach, where the Gulf Stream brings some of Florida's most aggressive pelagic species right to our backyard. This isn't your typical inshore drift fishing – we're talking about fast-moving predators that'll test your drag and leave you with stories worth telling. Our crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and whether you've never held a rod or you're chasing your next personal best, we'll put you on fish that fight back hard.
We head out from Pompano Beach into the deep blue where the real action happens. The Gulf Stream runs close to shore here, creating a highway for baitfish and the predators that chase them. You'll be targeting some serious gamefish – Sailfish that'll dance on their tails, Mahi that hit like freight trains, and Kings that'll strip line faster than you can blink. Our boat handles six anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up with your buddies. The crew takes care of all the rigging, bait prep, and wire leaders – your job is to hang on when that rod starts screaming. We launch early to beat the afternoon chop and get you on the productive water while the bite's still hot.
This is all about covering water and presenting the right baits at the right speed. We run a spread of ballyhoo, feathers, and diving plugs behind the boat, keeping our lines in the strike zone where these pelagics cruise. The tackle is sized right for the fish we're chasing – 30 and 50 pound class reels with enough drag to turn a fish but light enough that you feel every head shake and run. We adjust our trolling speed based on conditions and what's biting, usually running between 6 and 8 knots to keep those baits swimming naturally. The crew watches the rigger lines and flat lines constantly, calling out strikes before you even see the rod bend. When something hits, we clear the other lines fast so you can fight your fish without interference. Circle hooks and proper release techniques mean we can put most fish back healthy if that's what you're after.
Skipjack Tuna are the perfect starter fish for anyone new to offshore angling. These guys school up in massive numbers and hit hard, usually running 8 to 15 pounds with the occasional bigger fish mixed in. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March, and when you find them, you can often catch them until your arms give out. What makes Skipjacks special is their incredible stamina – pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish in the ocean, making multiple long runs that'll have you questioning your drag setting.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of our offshore waters, capable of hitting 40 mph when they're chasing bait. These toothy predators average 15 to 30 pounds but can push 50 or more during peak season from April through October. Kings are ambush hunters that follow the bait schools, and when they hit your line, there's no mistaking it – they'll often jump completely out of the water on the initial strike. The key to landing Kings is keeping steady pressure without pulling too hard, as their mouths are relatively soft and hooks can tear out easily.
Mahi Mahi are probably the most colorful and acrobatic fish you'll encounter out here. These brilliant gold and green fighters love structure and floating debris, often traveling in small schools of similarly sized fish. During their peak season from May through September, it's not uncommon to boat several Mahi from the same school, with fish ranging from 10 pound schoolies to 40 pound bulls. What makes Mahi special is their aerial displays – they'll jump, tail-walk, and throw the hook in spectacular fashion if you give them any slack line.
Cobia are the bulldogs of the offshore world, using their broad heads and powerful bodies to make long, determined runs toward structure. These brown sharks, as locals call them, can reach 40 to 60 pounds and are most common from March through June when they're migrating along the coast. Cobia are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you a clear shot at sight fishing when conditions are right. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who want to take something home for dinner.
Swordfish represent the holy grail of offshore fishing, though they're typically caught during specialized trips rather than standard half-day charters. These magnificent predators can exceed 100 pounds and are most active during twilight hours or at night. When targeting Swords, we fish much deeper water using specialized techniques and heavy tackle. Landing a Swordfish is a bucket list experience that combines patience, skill, and a bit of luck – their powerful runs and aerial displays make them one of the most respected gamefish in the Atlantic.
Four hours might sound short, but when the fish are biting and your arms are burning from fighting quality gamefish, it's the perfect amount of time to get your offshore fix without committing to a full day. The action-packed nature of this trip means beginners get plenty of coaching from our experienced crew, while seasoned anglers can focus on technique and maybe chase a personal best. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. The Gulf Stream doesn't take days off, and neither do the fish – book your spot and get ready to experience why Pompano Beach consistently produces some of the best offshore fishing on the entire East Coast.
This classic 1993 Albemarle 36-footer is built for serious fishing action off Pompano Beach. Twin 470HP Caterpillar diesels push her to 32 knots, getting you to the productive waters fast and keeping you stable when battling cobia, kingfish, and whatever else decides to bite. The flybridge gives you great sight lines for spotting birds and bait, while the fish finder takes the guesswork out of finding structure and schools. Between fights, cool off with AC below deck or grab a cold one from the fridge. With radar for those morning fog runs and GPS to mark your hot spots, this boat has everything covered. The comfortable layout sleeps 6 and includes a head, so longer trips stay pleasant. Whether you're new to offshore fishing or chase pelagics regularly, this rig delivers the performance and comfort to make your half-day count.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulldogs of the flats - big, brown, and built like tanks. Most fish we see run 30-60 pounds, but 80+ pounders show up regularly around wrecks and buoys in 20-80 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is peak time when they're moving north to spawn. What's cool about cobia is they're curious fish - they'll actually swim up to the boat to check you out, making for exciting sight fishing opportunities. They fight dirty too, using their broad tail and strong body to test your tackle. The meat is outstanding, often compared to shark with its firm, white flesh. We target them with bucktail jigs, live crabs, or eels around structure. Here's my go-to technique: when you spot a cobia cruising near the surface, don't cast right at it. Instead, lead the fish by 10-15 feet and work your bait back toward them slowly. Cobia spook easily if you plop a lure right on their head, but they'll usually eat if you make them think they're hunting down an easy meal.
Scomberomorus CavallaThese speed demons are what we call "smoker kings" for good reason - they'll rip line off your reel faster than most fish out here. Average kings run 15-30 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 50+ pounds in depths from 40-150 feet. They patrol the edges of reefs, wrecks, and temperature breaks where baitfish gather. Fall through spring is prime time when they migrate through our waters following the bait schools. Kings are pure adrenaline - that first run will test your drag and your nerves. They're also fantastic eating with firm, flaky meat that's perfect on the grill. We target them by slow-trolling live bait or pulling spoons and plugs around structure. The secret is using a wire leader with two hooks - one through the bait's nose and a stinger hook trailing behind. Kings love to hit baits from the back, so that trailing hook saves a lot of missed fish. Keep your drag smooth because these fish will find any weakness in your setup.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters we chase out here, flashing gold and electric blue when they're hooked up. They average 15-25 pounds but can push 40+, and they love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-400 feet of water. Spring through fall is peak season when water temps climb above 75°F. What makes mahi special is their aerial show - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a display that gets everyone excited. The meat is primo too - sweet, firm fillets that are hard to beat. These fish travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. We target them by trolling ballyhoo or rigging live bait near floating objects. The trick is to keep one hooked fish in the water while casting to the rest of the school - mahi are curious and will often stick around to check out their buddy in trouble. Don't boat that first fish right away; use it to keep the school interested while everyone gets a shot.
Katsuwonus PelamisThese smaller tunas average 20 pounds and run in big schools, making them a blast when you find them. They're torpedo-shaped speedsters with dark blue backs and distinctive black stripes running down their silver sides. You'll find skipjack in the upper water column, usually within the first 100 feet, where they chase baitfish like herring and small crabs. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them when water temps hit 70°F or higher. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature - they hit hard and fight like crazy for their size. Plus, they make excellent table fare with that classic tuna taste. When we're trolling for skipjack, I keep the speed at 5-6 knots with bright hoochie rigs or feathers. Here's the key: don't spook the school by getting too close with the boat. Circle wide and let your baits drift through - once you hook one, keep multiple lines out because where there's one skipjack, there's usually a whole bunch more ready to bite.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep-water challenge - averaging 100-200 pounds with that iconic flat bill and massive shoulders. These giants live in 600-1500 feet of water where they hunt squid and deep-water fish. They're primarily night feeders, coming up to 200-400 feet after dark, though daytime sword fishing is possible with heavy tackle. What draws people to sword fishing is the sheer size and power - hooking a 200-pound fish in deep water is a marathon battle that can last hours. The meat is fantastic too, with those thick steaks that are perfect for grilling. Peak season runs April through September when they're more active. We target them with whole squid or large chunks of tuna on heavy circle hooks, using lights to attract bait at night. My advice: bring your patience and make sure your drag is set properly. When a big sword takes off, it's going to be a long fight. Keep steady pressure, stay calm, and let the fish tire itself out in the deep water before trying to bring it to the surface.
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