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FORT LAUDERDALE
FISHING CHARTERS
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Fort Lauderdale, FL
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About
Fort Lauderdale Fishing
Fort Lauderdale is a premier deep sea fishing destination where the Gulf Stream passes within a mile of the coast, creating some of the most accessible big-game fishing in the world. Sailfish, mahi mahi, wahoo, tuna, and kingfish are caught year-round just minutes from Port Everglades. The area is especially famous for its winter sailfish migration, when double-digit releases in a single day are not uncommon.
The natural and artificial reef system off Fort Lauderdale is equally impressive, with three distinct reef lines running parallel to shore holding grouper, snapper, cobia, and amberjack. Inshore, the Intracoastal Waterway, New River, and surrounding canals provide habitat for snook, tarpon, and peacock bass. Fort Lauderdale's yacht-filled marinas, waterfront dining, and proximity to world-class fishing make it a top destination for anglers visiting South Florida.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Fort Lauderdale?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
P | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | P |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | G | G | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | G | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
F | F | G | P | P | P | G | G | F | - | - | F |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | G | G | G | P | P | G | G | F | F | F |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | F | F |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | F | F | F | F | - | - | F | F | F | F |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
P | P | P | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | G | P |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | G |
|
Inshore
|
F | G | G | P | P | G | G | G | P | G | G | F |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
G | G | G | G | G | F | F | F | G | G | G | G |
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
G | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | G | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
F | F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | G | P | P | G | F | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | G | G | P | G | F | - | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Fort Lauderdale Fish Species
21+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Inshore Species
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Deep Sea Fishing Species
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Fort Lauderdale
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
View All Articles
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Fort Lauderdale.
Guest Reviews
5
based on 6 reviews
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Reviews
Reef fishing off the Lauderdale coast was incredible
Fished the three reef lines off Fort Lauderdale and the variety was unbelievable. Caught mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, grouper, and a beautiful hogfish all in one trip. The reef system here is incredibly accessible — just a mile offshore.
C
Captain Noel
November 2025
Mutton Snapper
Yellowtail Snapper
Hogfish
Black Grouper
Tarpon in the New River were stacked
Fished the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale and found tarpon rolling in the turns and bridges. Free-lined live mullet and jumped five tarpon, landing two over 80 pounds. Catching tarpon with the Fort Lauderdale skyline as your backdrop is surreal.
C
Captain Tamika
June 2025
Tarpon
Snook
Mahi run was the best in years
Found massive weed lines and debris about 15 miles offshore and the mahi were absolutely everywhere. Caught over 30 dolphin on spinning gear with several bulls over 30 pounds. Fort Lauderdale spring mahi fishing is some of the best in South Florida.
C
Captain Isabelle
April 2025
Mahi Mahi
Wahoo
Blackfin Tuna
Snook were loaded in the Intracoastal
Fished the docks and bridges along the Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal Waterway at night and the snook were ambushing baitfish under the lights. Caught 12 snook including a giant that measured 38 inches. Urban snook fishing in Fort Lauderdale is phenomenal.
C
Captain Desmond
August 2025
Snook
Tarpon
Mangrove Snapper
Swordfishing out of Port Everglades
Made a daytime swordfish trip out of Port Everglades and dropped to 1,500 feet. Connected on a beautiful broadbill that went 180 pounds after an epic two-hour fight. Fort Lauderdale is one of the top swordfishing ports in the country.
C
Captain Larissa
March 2025
Swordfish
Tilefish
Sailfish triple hookup off the Lauderdale coast
Kite-fished in the deep blue water off Fort Lauderdale and had an insane day with the sails. Had a triple hookup and ended up releasing all three. Finished the day with nine sailfish releases. Fort Lauderdale is a premier sailfish destination.
C
Captain Randall
January 2025
Sailfish
Mahi Mahi
Start Your Adventure
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