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William Daley
Captain

William Daley

Fort Lauderdale, United States
Federal waters
Angler's choice
100+ reviews
I grew up on Long Island, NY, where I landed my first job at a marina—running the launch and fixing boats. That's where my love for the water and fishing really took off. Not long after, I started working on big, multi-million dollar sportfishing yachts, chasing Tuna, Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi, Swordfish, Sharks, and Tilefish out in the canyons off Long Island. In my early 20s, I bought my own boat and named it Don't Tell Mom. That name stuck with me—so when I sold the boat, moved down to South Florida, and started running charters, I knew exactly what I was going to call my business. These days, I do everything I can to make sure my clients feel safe, comfortable, and have the best day possible out on the water. Whether you're an experienced angler or stepping on a boat for the first time, I'll go the extra mile to provide a memorable trip for you and hopefully catch you something you'll never forget!
Christina M.
Christina M.
First mate
Zach J.
Zach J.
First mate
Logan G.
Logan G.
Captain
Mike K.
Mike K.
First mate

Charter

Rating

4.9
103 reviews
4.8
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

95%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish

All reviews (103)

Showing 1 – 5 of 103 reviews
  • Jake Worcester
    Jake Worcester
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    First Time Ocean Angler

    Shared Deep Sea Sportfishing Trip - 1:00 PM • 1 adult

    I’m from the midwest, and this was my first experience fishing in the open ocean, and man, it was awesome! The seasickness was really the only trouble for me, but the crew was well prepared and had some dramamine for me on hand which was super helpful! We were fortunate enough to reel in Mackeral, Mahi-Mahi, Bluefish, and even a couple Great Barracuda! Many thanks to Will and Mike who were captain and first mate, and Kyle, Tim, and Ezra who accompanied me on the shared charter for the overall unforgettable experience!

    Reported catch:
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Response from Captain

    Thanks so much for the awesome review, Jake! We're thrilled we could help you get over the initial seasickness and make your first open-ocean fishing trip unforgettable. Landing Mackerel, Mahi-Mahi, Bluefish, and Great Barracuda on a shared charter is a phenomenal haul for an ocean newcomer! It was a great pleasure having you, Kyle, Tim, and Ezra on board with Mike and me. Hope to see you back out on the water with us soon! ​Tight lines, Capt. Will

  • Sean Bouchard
    Sean Bouchard
    Repeat angler
    us
    New Jersey, US
    Member since 2023
    5 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day on the water and a FANTASTIC finish to our week.

    3/4-Day Deep Sea Sportfishing Trip • 5 adults • 1 child

    My 12-year-old son and I, fittingly, chartered the Don’t Tell Mom for a 6-hour trip. Capt. Will and Zach (the mate) were personable, knowledgeable, and it was clearly evident they cared about putting together a catch. They both took the time to answer questions and were engaging. We were fortunate that the fishing was comparable to the conversation. We boated and kept 10 good-sized, beautiful Mahi-Mahi and an awesome 4 1/2-foot Wahoo (on a monofilament leader). Of course, we caught many other fish on the troll, most on the smaller side, such as Spanish Mackerel, Blacktip Tuna, Blue Runners, Bonita, and Lesser Amberjacks (green jacks). Capt. Will was attentive from the helm, making suggestions to Zach throughout the day on how to tweak our trolling spread by changing colors, baits, depths, etc. He actively sought to add to our catch right up to the very end of our time. A great day on the water and a great catch to go with it. I would definitely recommend a day out with Capt. Will and Zach on the Don’t Tell Mom and look forward to my next trip with them when I make it to Fort Lauderdale again. --Sean

    Reported catch:
    Blackfin Tuna
    Wahoo
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Amberjack
    +1
    Response from Captain

    Sean, thank you so much for the fantastic review! It was a pleasure having you and your son aboard for the much for the fantastic review! It was a pleasure having you and your son aboard for the six-hour trip. Congratulations on an incredible catch, especially those Mahi-Mahi and that beautiful Wahoo! Zach and I really enjoyed fishing with you both and sharing the experience. We appreciate your kind words and recommendation, and look forward to having you back aboard the Don't Tell Mom next time you're in Fort Lauderdale; call us anytime! Tight lines, Capt. Will

  • Marc Trammell
    Marc Trammell
    us
    Massachusetts, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Don’t Tell Your Mom, Tell your friends!

    Half-Day Deep Sea Sportfishing Trip - 1:00 PM • 5 adults • 2 children

    We had an incredible afternoon on Don’t Tell Your Mom with Captain Will and first mate Zach. They were both friendly, knowledgeable, and worked hard to make sure everyone on board had a great time, whether they were experienced anglers or fishing for the first time. The action was nonstop! We caught a barracuda, bonita, yellowtail, and several other fish. We even hooked into a sailfish, but unfortunately it threw the hook after an exciting fight. The highlight of the trip, though, was landing an impressive dusky shark—an experience none of us will forget! Best of all, the women and kids had an absolute blast. Captain Will and Zach were patient, encouraging, and made the trip fun for everyone. If you’re looking for a great family fishing charter with an experienced crew that knows how to put you on fish, I can’t recommend Don’t Tell Your Mom enough. We’ll definitely be back!

    Reported catch:
    Blackfin Tuna
    Response from Captain

    Marc, thank you so much for the incredible review! It was a pleasure having you and your family aboard. We're especially glad to hear everyone had such a great time—from the experienced anglers to the first-timers. That's exactly the kind of trip we strive to provide. We definitely had an action-packed afternoon with a great variety of fish, and that Dusky Shark was one for the memory books! It's always exciting to hook a Sailfish too, even if this one managed to shake the hook. Thanks again for trusting us with your family's day on the water and for recommending us. We can't wait to fish with you all again! Tight lines, Capt. Will

  • William Bowers
    William Bowers
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2026
    4.7
    Verified

    valiant effort

    Shared Deep Sea Sportfishing Trip - 1:00 PM • 3 adults • 1 child

    Captain Will and his mighty mate Zach did EVERYTHING they could to help us get fish into the boat. unfortunately, the fish had other plans. it's why it's called fishing and not catching. The crew was great, very friendly and knowledgeable. they were especially courteous of my 4 year old boy to help create a core memory. The fish were few and small, but my son didn't know the difference as Zach and Capt Will made him feel like every one was a trophy. He's already asking, "Dad, when can we fish with Captain Will again?!" I could only answer with, "The next time we come to Miami/Ft Lauderdale." because we'll definitely book with this boat and crew again.

    Reported catch:
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Wahoo
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much, William! We really appreciate you taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. Zach and I had a great time fishing with you and your family, and it was especially awesome seeing your son having so much fun on the boat! While we always hope to put a big fish in the boat, making memories and getting the whole family involved is what it’s all about. Hearing that your son is already asking, "When can I fish with Captain Will again?" truly means the world to us. We’d love to have you all back aboard the next time you’re in Fort Lauderdale or Miami; call us anytime! Tight lines, Capt. Will

  • Kyle Adkison
    Kyle Adkison
    us
    Missouri, US
    Member since 2026
    4.7
    Verified

    A day of fishing my son and I will never forget!

    Shared Deep Sea Sportfishing Trip • 2 adults

    First time ocean fishing with my teenage son. Day started off slow, but Will and Mike kept things interesting answering fishing questions and just knowledgeable information of the area. The fish started biting we were with 2 other groups of 2, every group caught something. Will and Mike are super friendly guys, Mike was constantly changing out lines while still showing and telling us what he was doing. At the end of the trip Mike hooked a 7 1/2ft lemon shark that put up a great fight all the way to the boat. We ended up with some once in a lifetime photos. Thanks guys for a day we won't forget.

    Response from Captain

    Hi Kyle, thank you so much for the awesome review! It was a pleasure having you and your son aboard for his first ocean fishing trip. We know those first experiences can turn into lifelong memories, and we're honored we got to be a part of it. Fishing started a little slow, but we're glad we were able to keep everyone engaged while waiting for the bite to turn on. It was great to see every group catch fish, and that big 7½-foot Lemon Shark at the end was definitely an unforgettable way to wrap up the trip! Those photos are going to be tough to beat. Thanks again for choosing to fish with us. We hope to welcome you and your son back for another adventure soon; call us anytime! Tight lines, Capt. Will

Real catches shared by our community

  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    Solo angler holding a large silver jack on a boat with a sunny coastal skyline in the background.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Jack Crevalle
    Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report | Don’t Tell Mom Sportfishing Fall fishing is really coming together here in Fort Lauderdale, and despite some challenging weather over the past week, the fishing has been excellent! We didn't get out as often as we would have liked due to some rough seas, but the trips we did run produced some fantastic action. Mahi-Mahi have been the highlight, with some great catches on even our shorter four- and five-hour charters. Fall Mahi-Mahi Fishing Is on Fire! If people ask me when the best time to come fishing in Fort Lauderdale is, September, October, and November are always at the top of my list. Fall is one of our favorite seasons for fishing, and it's also a quieter time for tourism, which can make it a great opportunity to enjoy a trip and find better hotel rates. The Mahi fishing lately has been outstanding. We've been catching them on most of our trips, including shorter charters, which is especially exciting because Mahi can sometimes require a longer run during the summer months. Right now, we're finding them primarily in 400–500 feet of water, just two to three miles offshore and well within our state waters. We're also seeing some excellent quality fish. Fall typically brings larger Mahi than we see during the summer, when smaller fish tend to be more prevalent. As always, finding that beautiful blue water is key. We've been locating small weed lines that hold bait and attract all kinds of life. Along with the Mahi, we've been seeing small Bar Jacks and other activity around these areas. Our go-to Mahi presentation has been Sea Witches rigged with Bonito strips, trolled on the surface. We also get bites on our planer rods, and when we find a school of fish, the action can really heat up. It's exciting fishing and a great opportunity to put some delicious Mahi in the cooler! Sailfish Are Starting to Show Up We've also been seeing some Sailfish closer to the reef, generally around 120 feet of water, depending on the conditions and where the blue water begins. As we move toward winter, we expect to see more of these beautiful fish showing up. Sailfish absolutely love Sea Witches with Bonito strips, especially when trolled farther back in our spread. One of the most important things when targeting Sailfish is keeping your eyes on the spread and watching for the fish. Sailfish often approach the bait and strike it with their bill before committing. If you see one following your bait, reeling it away can trigger a reaction bite. If the bait doesn't appear to be moving naturally, the fish may lose interest and disappear. It's a really exciting visual style of fishing, and paying attention can make all the difference! Blackfin Tuna and King Mackerel Blackfin Tuna have also been making appearances. They're not an everyday catch right now, but we've been seeing them during the early morning hours when the light is low, particularly around wrecks in approximately 200 feet of water. The best approach for these Tuna has been smaller presentations, including squid dinks and smaller spoons. When they're feeding, these smaller baits can make all the difference. We've also seen a few King Mackerel around, generally in depths ranging from 130 to 190 feet. It's always nice to have these excellent game fish in the mix! Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Crevalle Jacks In shallower water, especially along the reef and even closer to shore, we've been seeing plenty of Mackerel. Most have been Spanish Mackerel, along with some juvenile King Mackerel. Spanish Mackerel are a lot of fun on light tackle, and they're excellent eating. They're fantastic for smoked fish dip, and I personally enjoy them fresh as well. While they're not the biggest fish we catch, they're great fighters and a fun way to put plenty of fish in the cooler. We've also caught several Bluefish trolling in shallower water, both on the surface and on the planer rods. Growing up on Long Island, I used to catch tons of Bluefish, so it's always fun to run into them down here in South Florida. They're incredibly hard fighters with razor-sharp teeth, so you definitely have to be careful handling them! Crevalle Jacks have also made an appearance, adding even more variety to an already exciting week of fishing. A Birthday Trip and a Massive Amberjack One of the other highlights this week was a six-hour birthday charter booked by Felipe, birthday boy's brother at the last minute. We were able to put together an excellent trip with plenty of Mahi-Mahi for everyone to take home. We also headed out to a deep wreck in more than 300 feet of water and hooked into a massive Amberjack! This was quite a thrill for everyone aboard. We safely released the fish, and the group went home with plenty of fresh fish and some fantastic memories. They were absolutely thrilled with the trip! Looking Ahead Small Bonitas, Ballyhoo, and other baitfish have been showing up, and the fall fishing is really starting to come together. Between the Mahi-Mahi, Sail
  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    Adult angler proudly holding a large snook aboard a coastal fishing boat near the waterfront.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Bluefish (Tailor)
    Jake W.
    Jake W.
    I’m from the midwest, and this was my first experience fishing in the open ocean, and man, it was awesome! The seasickness was really the only trouble for me, but the crew was well prepared and had some dramamine for me on hand which was super helpful! We were fortunate enough to reel in Mackeral, Mahi-Mahi, Bluefish, and even a couple Great Barracuda! Many thanks to Will and Mike who were captain and first mate, and Kyle, Tim, and Ezra who accompanied me on the shared charter for the overall unforgettable experience!
  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    Two adult anglers proudly hold a large wahoo aboard a fishing boat offshore, with a coastal skyline and calm open water in the background.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Sailfish
    Weekly Fishing Report | Don’t Tell Mom Sportfishing Fall fishing is heating up, and this past week delivered some absolutely outstanding action! We had a little bit of everything, from massive Amberjacks and our first Sailfish catches to Wahoo weighing up to 45 pounds, plenty of Mahi-Mahi, and some excellent Blackfin Tuna action. Not every trip was a home run, as you’d expect this time of year, but we had several trips that ranked among the best of the year. One of the biggest changes we’ve seen lately is the amount of baitfish in the water. The large Mullet schools have mostly moved on, although we’re still seeing some along the beaches. In their place, small Bullet-Bonitas and tons of flying fish have started showing up. This is exciting because these baitfish attract larger predators like Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Wahoo, and other hard-fighting pelagic species. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from an incredible week on the water! Massive Amberjacks and a Seven-Foot Nurse Shark We kicked off the week with a five-hour trip for a family hoping to catch something big. We headed to a deep wreck in 300 feet of water and dropped down a live Bonita. It didn’t take long before we hooked into a massive Amberjack measuring nearly five feet long! These fish are incredibly powerful fighters, and this one gave our anglers quite a battle. That wasn’t the only highlight of the trip. We also hooked and landed a seven-foot Nurse Shark, along with a smaller Amberjack. While larger Amberjacks can be prone to parasites, the smaller fish can make excellent table fare. We were happy to send the family home with some fresh fish for dinner! A Sailfish, Tuna, and Seven Mahi-Mahi One of the weekend’s five-hour trips was truly special. We had five friends visiting from Ohio who were hoping to catch Sailfish and Mahi-Mahi, and we were fortunate enough to deliver on both! We started by catching a few small Bullet-Bonitas to keep in the live well for later. While trolling for something bigger, our high line started bending and twitching. I reeled into it, and a beautiful Sailfish piled on! John did an outstanding job fighting the fish and bringing it to the boat. We got some great pictures before safely releasing it and watching it swim away. What an incredible first Sailfish experience! After catching a nice Skipjack Tuna, we worked some deep wrecks in more than 400 feet of water and picked up a solid Amberjack. We then spotted signs of life farther out and headed toward 700–750 feet of water, roughly five miles from shore. At first, we weren't seeing much. But as we worked south, we started finding more flying fish and scattered weeds. We adjusted our trolling pattern to work the area in slightly shallower water, around 650 feet, and the action really turned on. We ended up catching seven keeper Mahi-Mahi, most of them good-sized gaffer fish! Earlier in the trip, we had also caught a couple of Barracuda, but the fishing really came together as a weather front moved in and the current lined up beautifully. It was an outstanding day and a great example of how quickly things can change when you find the right conditions. Two Wahoo, Including a 45-Pound Monster! Saturday afternoon brought another trip we won't soon forget. We started by trolling and putting a few fish in the box before heading north toward the wrecks to try our luck with live bait. Then our short planer went off and started screaming! We had a Sea Witch rigged with a Bonito strip, and the result was a beautiful 20-pound Wahoo. We were thrilled to see that fish come aboard. After getting everything squared away, we switched our spread over to live Bonitas. Slow-trolling these baits is one of my favorite ways to fish because you have a real shot at something special. You may not get a bite every time, but when a big predator finds one of these baits, you know you're in for an exciting fight. We worked past a couple of wrecks north of the inlet in about 130 feet of water when a downrigger line suddenly started dumping. The fish put up an incredible fight on light tackle, and after about 20 minutes, we finally brought another Wahoo to the boat. This one was a monster, weighing in at 45 pounds! It was the biggest Wahoo my mate Zach has ever seen. These fish are incredibly fast and elusive, with powerful, torpedo-shaped bodies and razor-sharp teeth designed to slice through their prey. Landing one takes the right equipment, proper rigging, and a crew that knows how to handle them. We were thrilled to get this beautiful fish aboard and straight onto ice. And the day wasn't over yet! After using up our live Bonitas, we switched back to trolling and finished the trip with three Blackfin Tuna and a King Mackerel. What an incredible day of fishing! Rough Weather, Beautiful Blue Water, and Seven More Fish Our final trip of the week was yesterday, and conditions were rough and windy. After checking in with the guests beforehand to make sure they were still comfort
  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    Two adult anglers proudly display a large brightly colored mahi-mahi aboard a boat offshore.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    John V.
    John V.
    We had an amazing fishing experience! We caught so many fish. Captain Will is the best! If you’re planning to go fishing in Florida, this is the boat to go on!
  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    Large billfish being landed alongside a boat in open blue water, with the fish partially submerged during active offshore fishing.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Sailfish
    Weekly Fishing Report | Don’t Tell Mom Sportfishing It’s been a little while since our last fishing report! We took a short vacation during what can sometimes be a quieter time of year, but we’re back and looking forward to getting out on the water. The good news is that the fishing has actually been really good lately, and we’ve had some great catches to share. Massive Amberjacks on Deep Wrecks The deep wrecks have really come alive! We’ve been dropping live baits down to deeper wrecks and hooking into some massive Amberjacks. These fish put up an incredible fight, making for some serious battles and a great experience for everyone aboard. Sailfish Action and an Exciting First We’ve also had several Sailfish around, and trolling has been producing some exciting opportunities. On one memorable trip, our guest Eric caught his very first Sailfish! Captain Dave was running the boat in my absence when his high line went off and started peeling drag. He handed the rod down to Zach, cleared the other lines, and got ready for an exciting battle. Eric was thrilled to catch his first Sailfish, making it a trip to remember! We also landed a beautiful Wahoo recently, adding another great catch to the mix. King Mackerel Are Showing Up The King Mackerel bite has really picked up, and we’ve been seeing some excellent action. Cero Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel have been active in shallower water, while moving deeper has been producing King Mackerel. One of our most effective techniques has been trolling planer baits rigged with Bonito or Mullet strips. Mullet strips are especially productive this time of year as large schools of Mullet migrate along the beach and out toward the reef. If you spot a big school of Mullet, it’s worth paying attention. Mackerel often follow these baitfish, and finding an active school can lead to some excellent fishing. Mahi-Mahi and Blackfin Tuna Mahi-Mahi have also been around, particularly on days when the wind picks up and conditions get a little choppier. Fall can be a fantastic time for Mahi fishing, so keep an eye out for birds, baitfish, and areas of beautiful water. You don’t always have to run far to find them. In fact, during the fall, Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, and Mackerel can all be found feeding on Ballyhoo in as little as 30 feet of water. Sometimes, your best bet is to work along the beach, looking for baitfish skipping across the surface, schools of bait getting attacked, or birds diving into the action. The Blackfin Tuna bite has also made a welcome comeback. After being relatively quiet, we’re seeing plenty more Blackfin Tuna, with some Skipjack Tuna mixed in. It’s great news for anglers hoping to bring home fresh Tuna for dinner. The best approach has been using smaller presentations, such as squid spoons and small trolling lures known as dinks. The bite often picks up early in the morning or later in the afternoon, but when the Tuna are feeding aggressively, it’s not uncommon to limit out. For the best action, try depths between 200 and 450 feet. Work the wrecks, and keep an eye out for baitfish, birds, and Tuna feeding on the surface. Bottom Fishing and Live Bait Bottom fishing has slowed slightly, but Snapper are still around, and we expect Mutton Snapper to remain a good option. We’re also seeing fewer of the larger Bonitas, while tons of smaller Bonitas are starting to show up. These make excellent live bait, and our huge live well allows us to keep them healthy and ready to fish. Larger predators love eating these smaller Bonitas, including King Mackerel, Barracuda, Wahoo, and Sailfish. We’re looking forward to doing more slow-trolling with live Bonitas as they become increasingly available. Looking Ahead The weather has been beautiful overall, and the fishing is giving us plenty to be excited about. As we move further into fall, we expect things to continue heating up. While fall can be a quieter time for tourism, it’s one of the best times of year to get out fishing. Whether you’re looking to battle a massive Amberjack on a deep wreck, catch your first Sailfish, or bring home some fresh Mackerel or Tuna, we’d love to have you aboard. Call or text us at **hidden content**, or book online at **hidden content**’s get you out on the water and make some memories! Tight lines, Capt. Will Daley
  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    Two adult anglers proudly hold a large wahoo aboard a sportfishing boat offshore, with trolling rods and a coastal skyline in the background.
    James F.
    James F.
    Super friendly crew,very professionally, safe and knowledgeable, caught plenty of fish including a huge Wahoo which is rare, and everyone took plenty home for dinner!!
  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    A family proudly displays a large Wahoo caught during a deep-sea fishing trip, showcasing the excitement of their adventure on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +6
    Nurse Shark
    Weekly Fishing Report | Don’t Tell Mom Sportfishing – South Florida We had another action-packed week aboard the Don't Tell Mom, with some excellent fishing as we head into the full moon. The last several days have produced a great variety of fish, including Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, Barracudas, Bonitas, Snapper, Amberjacks, King Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, and several species of Sharks. Wahoo and Mahi-Mahi Steal the Show The full moon is right around the corner, and as is often the case this time of year, the Wahoo bite has been heating up. We caught two really nice Wahoo this week, including one around 18 pounds and another impressive fish weighing approximately 30 pounds. The 30-pound Wahoo came on a 6-hour morning trip with Sean and his son. We found a beautiful blue-water edge in roughly 400 feet and started trolling the area. After catching a few smaller fish, we put some larger baits deeper in the water on our big planers. It didn't take long before one of those baits was crushed by a big Wahoo. The action didn't stop there. We also caught 10 Mahi-Mahi on that same trip, providing an incredible combination of quality fish and nonstop action. It was a great example of why having enough time to search for productive water can really pay off on longer trips. Barracudas, Bonitas and Live Bait Barracuda action has really started to heat up around the reef, with some very nice fish being caught both trolling and on live bait. We're also beginning to see the first wave of smaller Bonitas showing up. As fall progresses, we typically start seeing larger schools of Bonitas, and these smaller fish make excellent live bait for bigger predators. They're not always easy to keep happy, but with the large live well aboard the Don't Tell Mom, we're able to keep them swimming and put them to work when the opportunity arises. Once we had live bait in the water, we saw some exciting action from Barracudas, King Mackerel, Blackfin Tuna, and even some big Rainbow Runners. We also caught a nice Jack Crevalle, and the reef continues to hold plenty of life. An Incredible Shark Battle Shark fishing was another major highlight this week. We caught a big 8’ Nurse Shark along with a 98” Lemon Shark. The charter we caught the Nurse Shark on was an especially memorable trip because one of our young anglers got the opportunity to battle a big sea monster. The fish picked up a bait after playing with it a few times and then took off on a powerful run. Our 11-year-old angler did an amazing job staying with the fish for over 30 minutes and eventually wore it out and brought it boatside with some help from his dad and coaching from my mate Zach. We were able to measure the Shark, take a few photos, tag it, and safely release it. Watching a young angler successfully battle a big Shark is exactly the kind of moment that reminds us why we love charter fishing. These are the experiences families remember long after the trip is over. Snapper and Wreck Fishing- Bottom fishing has also remained productive. We've been catching Yellowtail Snapper along with some other good Snapper opportunities, and we have started seeing more Amberjacks around the wrecks. As always, we're constantly watching the conditions and changing techniques when necessary. If the troll isn't producing, we'll switch gears and move to live bait, wreck fishing, or bottom fishing. Some of the most productive days this week came from mixing things up and staying flexible. Fall Fishing Is Here Conditions were fairly stable for most of the week, with generally nice mornings, light winds, and some cloud cover. We did have a few days with unusual current, including situations where the surface current and deeper current were moving in different directions, which made things a little more challenging. Rain also played a role on some days. This time of year, we can get substantial afternoon storms, and when fresh rainwater sits on top of the saltwater, fishing can temporarily become more difficult. Fortunately, the water has been clearing up and the overall trend has remained positive. Fall is one of our favorite times of year to fish. The days are getting shorter, water temperatures will gradually begin to cool, and bait movement starts to increase. We're already seeing more Flying Fish and Mullet around, and that migration should continue to bring more predators into the area. Looking ahead, we're excited to see more Mahi-Mahi, increasing numbers of King Mackerel, and more Wahoo opportunities around the full moon. Sailfish should also begin showing up more consistently as we move farther into fall. Whether you're looking for fresh fish for the dinner table, fast-paced action with Bonitas and Mahi-Mahi, or a chance to battle a trophy Wahoo or Shark, there are plenty of great opportunities right now. Fall is one of my favorite times of year to fish, and we'd love to have you aboard the Don't Tell Mom. Don't wait to book your trip. Visit **hidden content** o
  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    A fisherman reeling in a large shark while out on the open water, showcasing the thrill of deep-sea fishing.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Nurse Shark
    Jason B.
    Jason B.
    We've been on several charters over the years and this is by far the best experience. Great conversation with a captain. the first mate was very knowledgeable and helpful. We were here with our young son and the first mate made him part of the crew basically. Highly recommend booking this charter.
  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    Two anglers proudly displaying a large Barracuda while fishing on a boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Great Barracuda
    Caroline P.
    Caroline P.
    Mike et Will súper sympatiques. Font tout pour rendre l’expérience agréable et pour capturer le plus de poissons possible. Nous avons beaucoup aimé ça! 4 heures ça passe vite
  • Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
    Don't Tell Mom SportfishingFort Lauderdale, FL
    A group of anglers proudly displaying a large Wahoo caught during a deep-sea fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Sean B.
    Sean B.
    My 12-year-old son and I, fittingly, chartered the Don’t Tell Mom for a 6-hour trip. Capt. Will and Zach (the mate) were personable, knowledgeable, and it was clearly evident they cared about putting together a catch. They both took the time to answer questions and were engaging. We were fortunate that the fishing was comparable to the conversation. We boated and kept 10 good-sized, beautiful Mahi-Mahi and an awesome 4 1/2-foot Wahoo (on a monofilament leader). Of course, we caught many other fish on the troll, most on the smaller side, such as Spanish Mackerel, Blacktip Tuna, Blue Runners, Bonita, and Lesser Amberjacks (green jacks). Capt. Will was attentive from the helm, making suggestions to Zach throughout the day on how to tweak our trolling spread by changing colors, baits, depths, etc. He actively sought to add to our catch right up to the very end of our time. A great day on the water and a great catch to go with it. I would definitely recommend a day out with Capt. Will and Zach on the Don’t Tell Mom and look forward to my next trip with them when I make it to Fort Lauderdale again. --Sean

What's biting with Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing in Fort Lauderdale

Sailfish start to settle in earnest nearshore, chasing schools of mullet through Fort Lauderdale's famous 'Sailfish Alley'. Bottom fishing for Snapper and Grouper is excellent, with a host of species crowding the reefs.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Open-water fishing scene with trolling outriggers and rods in the foreground, a coastal skyline on the horizon, and a prominent rainbow.

Mahi-topia! Sailfish, Bluefish & More!

Nov 2, 2026 • Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report | Don’t Tell Mom Sportfishing Fall fishing is really coming together here in Fort Lauderdale, and despite some challenging weather over the past week, the fishing has been excellent! We didn't get out as often as we would have liked due to some rough seas, but the trips we did run produced some fantastic action. Mahi-Mahi have been the highlight, with some great catches on even our shorter four- and five-hour charters. Fall Mahi-Mahi Fishing Is on Fire! If people ask me when the best time to come fishing in Fort Lauderdale is, September, October, and November are always at the top of my list. Fall is one of our favorite seasons for fishing, and it's also a quieter time for tourism, which can make it a great opportunity to enjoy a trip and find better hotel rates. The Mahi fishing lately has been outstanding. We've been catching them on most of our trips, including shorter charters, which is especially exciting because Mahi can sometimes require a longer run during the summer months. Right now, we're finding them primarily in 400–500 feet of water, just two to three miles offshore and well within our state waters. We're also seeing some excellent quality fish. Fall typically brings larger Mahi than we see during the summer, when smaller fish tend to be more prevalent. As always, finding that beautiful blue water is key. We've been locating small weed lines that hold bait and attract all kinds of life. Along with the Mahi, we've been seeing small Bar Jacks and other activity around these areas. Our go-to Mahi presentation has been Sea Witches rigged with Bonito strips, trolled on the surface. We also get bites on our planer rods, and when we find a school of fish, the action can really heat up. It's exciting fishing and a great opportunity to put some delicious Mahi in the cooler! Sailfish Are Starting to Show Up We've also been seeing some Sailfish closer to the reef, generally around 120 feet of water, depending on the conditions and where the blue water begins. As we move toward winter, we expect to see more of these beautiful fish showing up. Sailfish absolutely love Sea Witches with Bonito strips, especially when trolled farther back in our spread. One of the most important things when targeting Sailfish is keeping your eyes on the spread and watching for the fish. Sailfish often approach the bait and strike it with their bill before committing. If you see one following your bait, reeling it away can trigger a reaction bite. If the bait doesn't appear to be moving naturally, the fish may lose interest and disappear. It's a really exciting visual style of fishing, and paying attention can make all the difference! Blackfin Tuna and King Mackerel Blackfin Tuna have also been making appearances. They're not an everyday catch right now, but we've been seeing them during the early morning hours when the light is low, particularly around wrecks in approximately 200 feet of water. The best approach for these Tuna has been smaller presentations, including squid dinks and smaller spoons. When they're feeding, these smaller baits can make all the difference. We've also seen a few King Mackerel around, generally in depths ranging from 130 to 190 feet. It's always nice to have these excellent game fish in the mix! Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Crevalle Jacks In shallower water, especially along the reef and even closer to shore, we've been seeing plenty of Mackerel. Most have been Spanish Mackerel, along with some juvenile King Mackerel. Spanish Mackerel are a lot of fun on light tackle, and they're excellent eating. They're fantastic for smoked fish dip, and I personally enjoy them fresh as well. While they're not the biggest fish we catch, they're great fighters and a fun way to put plenty of fish in the cooler. We've also caught several Bluefish trolling in shallower water, both on the surface and on the planer rods. Growing up on Long Island, I used to catch tons of Bluefish, so it's always fun to run into them down here in South Florida. They're incredibly hard fighters with razor-sharp teeth, so you definitely have to be careful handling them! Crevalle Jacks have also made an appearance, adding even more variety to an already exciting week of fishing. A Birthday Trip and a Massive Amberjack One of the other highlights this week was a six-hour birthday charter booked by Felipe, birthday boy's brother at the last minute. We were able to put together an excellent trip with plenty of Mahi-Mahi for everyone to take home. We also headed out to a deep wreck in more than 300 feet of water and hooked into a massive Amberjack! This was quite a thrill for everyone aboard. We safely released the fish, and the group went home with plenty of fresh fish and some fantastic memories. They were absolutely thrilled with the trip! Looking Ahead Small Bonitas, Ballyhoo, and other baitfish have been showing up, and the fall fishing is really starting to come together. Between the Mahi-Mahi, Sail
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Two adult anglers proudly hold a large wahoo aboard a fishing boat offshore, with a coastal skyline and calm open water in the background.

More Wahoo, Sailfish, Mahi, and Tuna!!!!

Oct 20, 2026 • Fort Lauderdale
Weekly Fishing Report | Don’t Tell Mom Sportfishing Fall fishing is heating up, and this past week delivered some absolutely outstanding action! We had a little bit of everything, from massive Amberjacks and our first Sailfish catches to Wahoo weighing up to 45 pounds, plenty of Mahi-Mahi, and some excellent Blackfin Tuna action. Not every trip was a home run, as you’d expect this time of year, but we had several trips that ranked among the best of the year. One of the biggest changes we’ve seen lately is the amount of baitfish in the water. The large Mullet schools have mostly moved on, although we’re still seeing some along the beaches. In their place, small Bullet-Bonitas and tons of flying fish have started showing up. This is exciting because these baitfish attract larger predators like Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Wahoo, and other hard-fighting pelagic species. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from an incredible week on the water! Massive Amberjacks and a Seven-Foot Nurse Shark We kicked off the week with a five-hour trip for a family hoping to catch something big. We headed to a deep wreck in 300 feet of water and dropped down a live Bonita. It didn’t take long before we hooked into a massive Amberjack measuring nearly five feet long! These fish are incredibly powerful fighters, and this one gave our anglers quite a battle. That wasn’t the only highlight of the trip. We also hooked and landed a seven-foot Nurse Shark, along with a smaller Amberjack. While larger Amberjacks can be prone to parasites, the smaller fish can make excellent table fare. We were happy to send the family home with some fresh fish for dinner! A Sailfish, Tuna, and Seven Mahi-Mahi One of the weekend’s five-hour trips was truly special. We had five friends visiting from Ohio who were hoping to catch Sailfish and Mahi-Mahi, and we were fortunate enough to deliver on both! We started by catching a few small Bullet-Bonitas to keep in the live well for later. While trolling for something bigger, our high line started bending and twitching. I reeled into it, and a beautiful Sailfish piled on! John did an outstanding job fighting the fish and bringing it to the boat. We got some great pictures before safely releasing it and watching it swim away. What an incredible first Sailfish experience! After catching a nice Skipjack Tuna, we worked some deep wrecks in more than 400 feet of water and picked up a solid Amberjack. We then spotted signs of life farther out and headed toward 700–750 feet of water, roughly five miles from shore. At first, we weren't seeing much. But as we worked south, we started finding more flying fish and scattered weeds. We adjusted our trolling pattern to work the area in slightly shallower water, around 650 feet, and the action really turned on. We ended up catching seven keeper Mahi-Mahi, most of them good-sized gaffer fish! Earlier in the trip, we had also caught a couple of Barracuda, but the fishing really came together as a weather front moved in and the current lined up beautifully. It was an outstanding day and a great example of how quickly things can change when you find the right conditions. Two Wahoo, Including a 45-Pound Monster! Saturday afternoon brought another trip we won't soon forget. We started by trolling and putting a few fish in the box before heading north toward the wrecks to try our luck with live bait. Then our short planer went off and started screaming! We had a Sea Witch rigged with a Bonito strip, and the result was a beautiful 20-pound Wahoo. We were thrilled to see that fish come aboard. After getting everything squared away, we switched our spread over to live Bonitas. Slow-trolling these baits is one of my favorite ways to fish because you have a real shot at something special. You may not get a bite every time, but when a big predator finds one of these baits, you know you're in for an exciting fight. We worked past a couple of wrecks north of the inlet in about 130 feet of water when a downrigger line suddenly started dumping. The fish put up an incredible fight on light tackle, and after about 20 minutes, we finally brought another Wahoo to the boat. This one was a monster, weighing in at 45 pounds! It was the biggest Wahoo my mate Zach has ever seen. These fish are incredibly fast and elusive, with powerful, torpedo-shaped bodies and razor-sharp teeth designed to slice through their prey. Landing one takes the right equipment, proper rigging, and a crew that knows how to handle them. We were thrilled to get this beautiful fish aboard and straight onto ice. And the day wasn't over yet! After using up our live Bonitas, we switched back to trolling and finished the trip with three Blackfin Tuna and a King Mackerel. What an incredible day of fishing! Rough Weather, Beautiful Blue Water, and Seven More Fish Our final trip of the week was yesterday, and conditions were rough and windy. After checking in with the guests beforehand to make sure they were still comfort
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Two adult anglers proudly display a large amberjack aboard a boat, with a coastal city skyline and offshore fishing scene in the background.

Sailfish, Wahoo, Amberjack, Snapper, Kin

Oct 12, 2026 • Fort Lauderdale
Weekly Fishing Report | Don’t Tell Mom Sportfishing It’s been a little while since our last fishing report! We took a short vacation during what can sometimes be a quieter time of year, but we’re back and looking forward to getting out on the water. The good news is that the fishing has actually been really good lately, and we’ve had some great catches to share. Massive Amberjacks on Deep Wrecks The deep wrecks have really come alive! We’ve been dropping live baits down to deeper wrecks and hooking into some massive Amberjacks. These fish put up an incredible fight, making for some serious battles and a great experience for everyone aboard. Sailfish Action and an Exciting First We’ve also had several Sailfish around, and trolling has been producing some exciting opportunities. On one memorable trip, our guest Eric caught his very first Sailfish! Captain Dave was running the boat in my absence when his high line went off and started peeling drag. He handed the rod down to Zach, cleared the other lines, and got ready for an exciting battle. Eric was thrilled to catch his first Sailfish, making it a trip to remember! We also landed a beautiful Wahoo recently, adding another great catch to the mix. King Mackerel Are Showing Up The King Mackerel bite has really picked up, and we’ve been seeing some excellent action. Cero Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel have been active in shallower water, while moving deeper has been producing King Mackerel. One of our most effective techniques has been trolling planer baits rigged with Bonito or Mullet strips. Mullet strips are especially productive this time of year as large schools of Mullet migrate along the beach and out toward the reef. If you spot a big school of Mullet, it’s worth paying attention. Mackerel often follow these baitfish, and finding an active school can lead to some excellent fishing. Mahi-Mahi and Blackfin Tuna Mahi-Mahi have also been around, particularly on days when the wind picks up and conditions get a little choppier. Fall can be a fantastic time for Mahi fishing, so keep an eye out for birds, baitfish, and areas of beautiful water. You don’t always have to run far to find them. In fact, during the fall, Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, and Mackerel can all be found feeding on Ballyhoo in as little as 30 feet of water. Sometimes, your best bet is to work along the beach, looking for baitfish skipping across the surface, schools of bait getting attacked, or birds diving into the action. The Blackfin Tuna bite has also made a welcome comeback. After being relatively quiet, we’re seeing plenty more Blackfin Tuna, with some Skipjack Tuna mixed in. It’s great news for anglers hoping to bring home fresh Tuna for dinner. The best approach has been using smaller presentations, such as squid spoons and small trolling lures known as dinks. The bite often picks up early in the morning or later in the afternoon, but when the Tuna are feeding aggressively, it’s not uncommon to limit out. For the best action, try depths between 200 and 450 feet. Work the wrecks, and keep an eye out for baitfish, birds, and Tuna feeding on the surface. Bottom Fishing and Live Bait Bottom fishing has slowed slightly, but Snapper are still around, and we expect Mutton Snapper to remain a good option. We’re also seeing fewer of the larger Bonitas, while tons of smaller Bonitas are starting to show up. These make excellent live bait, and our huge live well allows us to keep them healthy and ready to fish. Larger predators love eating these smaller Bonitas, including King Mackerel, Barracuda, Wahoo, and Sailfish. We’re looking forward to doing more slow-trolling with live Bonitas as they become increasingly available. Looking Ahead The weather has been beautiful overall, and the fishing is giving us plenty to be excited about. As we move further into fall, we expect things to continue heating up. While fall can be a quieter time for tourism, it’s one of the best times of year to get out fishing. Whether you’re looking to battle a massive Amberjack on a deep wreck, catch your first Sailfish, or bring home some fresh Mackerel or Tuna, we’d love to have you aboard. Call or text us at **hidden content**, or book online at **hidden content**’s get you out on the water and make some memories! Tight lines, Capt. Will Daley
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A young angler and an adult proudly display a large Barracuda while fishing on a boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Wahoo, Mahi and Shark Action

Sep 26, 2026 • Fort Lauderdale
Weekly Fishing Report | Don’t Tell Mom Sportfishing – South Florida We had another action-packed week aboard the Don't Tell Mom, with some excellent fishing as we head into the full moon. The last several days have produced a great variety of fish, including Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, Barracudas, Bonitas, Snapper, Amberjacks, King Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, and several species of Sharks. Wahoo and Mahi-Mahi Steal the Show The full moon is right around the corner, and as is often the case this time of year, the Wahoo bite has been heating up. We caught two really nice Wahoo this week, including one around 18 pounds and another impressive fish weighing approximately 30 pounds. The 30-pound Wahoo came on a 6-hour morning trip with Sean and his son. We found a beautiful blue-water edge in roughly 400 feet and started trolling the area. After catching a few smaller fish, we put some larger baits deeper in the water on our big planers. It didn't take long before one of those baits was crushed by a big Wahoo. The action didn't stop there. We also caught 10 Mahi-Mahi on that same trip, providing an incredible combination of quality fish and nonstop action. It was a great example of why having enough time to search for productive water can really pay off on longer trips. Barracudas, Bonitas and Live Bait Barracuda action has really started to heat up around the reef, with some very nice fish being caught both trolling and on live bait. We're also beginning to see the first wave of smaller Bonitas showing up. As fall progresses, we typically start seeing larger schools of Bonitas, and these smaller fish make excellent live bait for bigger predators. They're not always easy to keep happy, but with the large live well aboard the Don't Tell Mom, we're able to keep them swimming and put them to work when the opportunity arises. Once we had live bait in the water, we saw some exciting action from Barracudas, King Mackerel, Blackfin Tuna, and even some big Rainbow Runners. We also caught a nice Jack Crevalle, and the reef continues to hold plenty of life. An Incredible Shark Battle Shark fishing was another major highlight this week. We caught a big 8’ Nurse Shark along with a 98” Lemon Shark. The charter we caught the Nurse Shark on was an especially memorable trip because one of our young anglers got the opportunity to battle a big sea monster. The fish picked up a bait after playing with it a few times and then took off on a powerful run. Our 11-year-old angler did an amazing job staying with the fish for over 30 minutes and eventually wore it out and brought it boatside with some help from his dad and coaching from my mate Zach. We were able to measure the Shark, take a few photos, tag it, and safely release it. Watching a young angler successfully battle a big Shark is exactly the kind of moment that reminds us why we love charter fishing. These are the experiences families remember long after the trip is over. Snapper and Wreck Fishing- Bottom fishing has also remained productive. We've been catching Yellowtail Snapper along with some other good Snapper opportunities, and we have started seeing more Amberjacks around the wrecks. As always, we're constantly watching the conditions and changing techniques when necessary. If the troll isn't producing, we'll switch gears and move to live bait, wreck fishing, or bottom fishing. Some of the most productive days this week came from mixing things up and staying flexible. Fall Fishing Is Here Conditions were fairly stable for most of the week, with generally nice mornings, light winds, and some cloud cover. We did have a few days with unusual current, including situations where the surface current and deeper current were moving in different directions, which made things a little more challenging. Rain also played a role on some days. This time of year, we can get substantial afternoon storms, and when fresh rainwater sits on top of the saltwater, fishing can temporarily become more difficult. Fortunately, the water has been clearing up and the overall trend has remained positive. Fall is one of our favorite times of year to fish. The days are getting shorter, water temperatures will gradually begin to cool, and bait movement starts to increase. We're already seeing more Flying Fish and Mullet around, and that migration should continue to bring more predators into the area. Looking ahead, we're excited to see more Mahi-Mahi, increasing numbers of King Mackerel, and more Wahoo opportunities around the full moon. Sailfish should also begin showing up more consistently as we move farther into fall. Whether you're looking for fresh fish for the dinner table, fast-paced action with Bonitas and Mahi-Mahi, or a chance to battle a trophy Wahoo or Shark, there are plenty of great opportunities right now. Fall is one of my favorite times of year to fish, and we'd love to have you aboard the Don't Tell Mom. Don't wait to book your trip. Visit **hidden content** o
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Three anglers display multiple freshly caught fish on a marina dock beside a sportfishing charter boat.

98-inch Lemon Shark & Rising Kings

Sep 14, 2026 • Fort Lauderdale
Weekly Fishing Report | Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing The past week and a half has produced some really exciting fishing aboard the Don't Tell Mom, but the biggest highlight by far was an incredible 98-inch Lemon Shark that put on one of the most memorable battles we've had in a long time. We were wreck fishing with a large dead bait on the bottom when the big female Lemon Shark picked it up and took off. The fish immediately started peeling line and putting the tackle to the test. Our angler, Sean, was quickly in the fight, and he battled this massive Shark for roughly 40 minutes before finally getting it boatside. The fish was an absolute giant. Lemon Sharks are powerful predators and can be incredibly impressive up close, and this large female was a fish we don't get to see very often. After getting some photos, we tagged the Shark and safely released her to continue swimming. It was a true trophy catch and an experience Sean won't soon forget. King Mackerel Are Showing Up- One of the other really encouraging developments over the past week or so has been the increased presence of King Mackerel. We've been seeing more fish around and, importantly, we've been catching them ourselves. The Kingfish bite has been noticeably better, and we're excited to see what happens as we continue into the fall. There are also still opportunities for Blackfin Tuna, along with some Barracudas and other hard-fighting reef predators. Live bait has continued to be an excellent option when targeting bigger fish around the wrecks and structure. We've also been catching some nice Amberjacks and more Barracudas on live bait, giving our anglers plenty of opportunities for a serious battle even when we're not specifically targeting Sharks. Fall Fishing Is Starting to Take Shape- Conditions have been fairly stable, with generally light winds and comfortable seas. We've had the usual South Florida afternoon showers and thunderstorms, but overall the weather has been very cooperative. Current has been relatively light recently, although we're beginning to see some of the stronger tidal movements that come with this time of year. You can definitely feel the seasonal transition beginning. The days are getting shorter, temperatures are gradually becoming more comfortable, and bait movement is increasing. Flying Fish and Ballyhoo are around, and the Mullet Run is getting closer. That bait migration is one of the things that makes September and October such exciting months to fish. As the bait moves, the predators follow, creating opportunities for King Mackerel, Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, Sailfish, Sharks, and plenty of other species. We expect the King Mackerel bite to continue improving, while Mahi-Mahi and Wahoo should become increasingly important as fall progresses. Blackfin Tuna should also become more consistent as water temperatures begin to drop. A Great Time to Get on the Water- September is typically one of our quieter months from a business standpoint, which means there is often more availability for anglers looking to get out on the water. We're taking advantage of that by spending plenty of time on the water and making the most of every opportunity. Whether you're looking to catch fresh fish for the dinner table, battle a hard-fighting Amberjack or King Mackerel, or chase a true trophy like the 98-inch Lemon Shark we caught this week, there are plenty of exciting possibilities right now. Fishing is never guaranteed, but we'll continue to use our experience, knowledge of the local waters, and whatever techniques are producing to give our guests the best opportunity possible. The fall bite is just getting started, and there is a lot to look forward to. Don't wait—come fishing with us! Visit **hidden content** or call or text **hidden content** to book your charter. Tight lines, Capt. Will Daley
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A group of anglers enjoying a fishing trip on a boat, with one person reeling in a catch while others pose for the camera.

Bonita Bite Heats Up; 4 Mahi Hooked

Sep 2, 2026 • Fort Lauderdale
Weekly Fishing Report | Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing We had another excellent week of fishing aboard the Don't Tell Mom, with a great variety of fish showing up and some exciting action throughout the week. Conditions were generally very favorable, with mostly smooth seas, manageable winds, and good water movement. The current was stronger around the full moon before easing off over the last few days, which actually helped create some better opportunities for Shark fishing. Bonita Action Is Heating Up- The Bonita bite has really started to build, although we don't think the full fall run has arrived quite yet. We're seeing good numbers of fish from roughly 60–70 feet out to 200 feet, with some of the best action coming early in the morning. Bonitas have been eating a variety of presentations, including spoons and Sea Witches pulled behind planers as well as surface baits. They're incredibly strong fighters and are a favorite with our guests because they provide plenty of action and great battles on lighter tackle. This is also one of our favorite times of year to catch them. We use many of the Bonitas we catch to make fresh bait strips and freeze them for later in the season. Those strips become excellent bait for Wahoo, Sailfish, and other game fish, so we're always happy to see the Bonitas moving in. Sailfish, Wahoo & Shark Action- We also caught a beautiful Sailfish this week while trolling a Sea Witch with a Bonita strip. We had a bachelor party aboard when the Sailfish came into the spread, screaming line and making several long runs before we were able to bring it boatside for photos and safely release it. Sailfish aren't something we typically expect to see in good numbers during the summer, so it's always exciting when one shows up in the spread. We also caught a really nice Wahoo around 20 pounds. The full moon often brings Wahoo into the area, and this fish was a great example of why we always keep a Wahoo rod in the spread. Shark fishing slowed around the full moon but improved as the current eased. We were able to catch a big Dusky Shark, which was safely released after an exciting battle. Four Mahi-Mahi at Once! One of the most exciting trips of the week came on Sunday with a family visiting from Pennsylvania. While trolling, we suddenly had four Mahi-Mahi hooked at the same time! It was pure chaos. All four fish were solid keepers, and with some quick work from the crew, we were able to get all four into the boat. Three were gaffed and one was flipped aboard. Multiple hookups like that are exactly why we love Mahi fishing—and why having an experienced crew makes such a difference when everything starts happening at once. We've been seeing some Mahi closer to shore recently, particularly when conditions have kept the Sargassum farther offshore. Strong current can really turn the fish on, and when we find the right combination of clean water, current, and bait, the action can be fantastic. Snapper Fishing- Mutton Snapper and Yellowtail Snapper both provided some great opportunities this week. Mutton Snapper are known to become more active around the full moon as they gather to spawn, and we saw some good numbers of them around the reef. We caught several Mutton Snapper this week, including some nice keepers, giving our guests looking for fresh fish for the dinner table another excellent option. Yellowtail Snapper has also remained a dependable target. Looking Ahead- We're beginning to see the first signs of the seasonal transition, with shorter days and bait movement becoming more noticeable. We've been seeing plenty of Ballyhoo and increasing numbers of Flying Fish around the reef, and the Mullet Run is just around the corner. As the bait moves in, we expect to see more King Mackerel, Sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, and other predators following them. October is typically one of our favorite months for Mahi-Mahi, and we're looking forward to the excellent fishing ahead. The Bonita run should also continue to build. When it really gets going, the action can be incredible, with multiple hookups common and plenty of hard-fighting fish keeping anglers busy. Come Fishing With Us- Fall is typically a quieter time of year here as kids head back to school and the busy summer season winds down. That means we have more availability, making it a great time to get out on the water. Whether you're looking for fast-paced Bonita action, Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, Sailfish, Snapper, or a chance to battle a trophy Shark, we'll use our knowledge of the local waters and whatever techniques are working best to give you the best opportunity possible. Fishing is never guaranteed, but we're going to work hard every trip to find the fish and make sure you have a great day on the water. The fish are biting, the weather has been beautiful, and there's plenty of exciting fishing ahead! Don't wait—book your trip today. We'd love to have you aboard the Don't Te
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