Fresh Fort Lauderdale Fishing Reports

In recent weeks, we've set a new record for low temperatures. Those cold fronts are always the driving force behind all fish migration and if we have enough cold, consistently, the fish end up well into the southern tip of fla and beyond! That being said, conditions have shown a good improvement from January, bait fish are more plentiful and the water temps are more ideal to see pelagic fish staying with us for a while. When trying to decide what type of charter to book, think more in terms of time and less about what type of fish can be caught. More time, offers more opportunities to try various methods (IF NEEDED) and or travel. A 5hr trip would be ideal for experienced anglers looking to catch a sailfish, black fin tuna or mahi and a 3hr charter is still the perfect fit for a novice client looking to dip their toe in the water. Many captains like to use kites with live bait however I prefer the use of live ballyhoo. The live ballyhoo is the only live bait that cannot be purchased and must be caught in person however they are a fantastic bait due to their ability to be "slow trolled" in longer distances. Kite fishing is a lot of fun however when the current slows to a crawl it stops then you'll want to be able to cover territory and various depths of water. Here's to a great Feb! Capt Matt Fann "Fish Advisor"!

February and March are the best two months of the year if you want to catch a rare African pompano! Sailfish bite has been turning up here and should continue to get better with the cold weather.

Caught this nice mutton snapper while live bait fishing over the shallow reefs.

This time of year is one of the most exciting windows for offshore fishing out of Fort Lauderdale, with warm currents, bait concentrations, and migrating pelagics stacking the odds in anglers’ favor. But while South Florida delivers excellent action, experienced anglers know that stepping just a bit farther offshore—to Bimini, the Bahama Bank, Cat Cay, and Tuna Alley—can turn a great fishing trip into a truly elite one. Let’s break down what’s biting, how we fish it, and why the Bahamas consistently outproduces local waters. What’s Biting Offshore of Fort Lauderdale Right Now Fort Lauderdale’s proximity to the Gulf Stream puts deep blue water just minutes from the dock. This creates ideal conditions for fast-moving pelagic species, especially during peak seasonal transitions. In-season species include: Sailfish – Active along current edges and temperature breaks Wahoo – Fast, aggressive, and explosive strikes Mahi (Dolphin) – Found on weed lines, debris, and rips Kingfish – Common on edges, bait schools, and reef lines Fort Lauderdale offers excellent fishing — but the Bahamas is a different league altogether, which is why anglers consistently turn to Bimini Fishing Charters when they want more bites, bigger fish, and less pressure. ? Cleaner Water & Less Pressure Bahamas waters see significantly less boat traffic. Fish are more aggressive, less educated, and more willing to strike. ? The Bahama Bank Advantage The Bahama Bank creates massive nutrient upwellings where shallow flats meet deep blue water—ideal conditions for predators. ? Tuna Alley A legendary migration corridor producing Wahoo, Tuna, Mahi, Sailfish, and Marlin year after year. ? Cat Cay & Bimini Perfectly positioned along migration routes, these areas allow Bimini Charters to reach prime fishing grounds within minutes of setting lines. What You Can Expect Fishing the Bahamas Right Now Current Bahamas targets include: Wahoo – Often larger and more aggressive than Florida fish Mahi – Strong numbers along weed lines and debris Sailfish – Consistent action along current edges Tuna – Especially prevalent in Tuna Alley Blue Marlin (seasonal) – Legitimate trophy opportunities Multiple Wahoo hookups in a single day are far more common here than in South Florida—one of the main reasons anglers book repeat Bimini Fishing Charters. Local Fishing vs The Bahamas: The Real Difference Local Bahamas Fort Lauderdale Offshore Bahamas Offshore Excellent local action Multi-species, trophy potential Heavy boat traffic Clean, lightly pressured waters Seasonal peaks Consistent productivity Short runs Immediate access to prime grounds Final Thoughts Fishing Fort Lauderdale this time of year is outstanding—fast-paced, exciting, and accessible. But when anglers want more bites, bigger fish, and a truly elevated offshore experience, the Bahamas stands alone. Whether you’re chasing your first Sailfish, targeting a trophy Wahoo, or fishing legendary waters through Bimini Charters, the difference is undeniable. Great fishing starts in Fort Lauderdale. Elite fishing lives with Bimini Fishing Charters.

Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report: January 26, 2023 – Aboard the Marlin My Darlin Over the past few weeks, Fort Lauderdale has experienced some chilly weather, which has led to exceptional sailfish fishing! January is proving to be one of the best months for targeting sailfish, along with blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, snappers, and grouper. Overall, fishing conditions have been consistently fruitful here in South Florida. #### Kite Fishing: A Winter Favorite Our kite fishing technique has been outstanding lately. This method is particularly effective during the winter months, as it allows us to target large trophy sailfish along with a variety of other species as bycatch. The excitement of not knowing what will bite next makes kite fishing an exhilarating experience. #### Reef Trolling: A Steady Bite Reef trolling has yielded decent results over the last month, with several large wahoo catches reported. The blackfin tuna bite has been especially strong in the late afternoons and is expected to remain consistent through June. This technique not only provides steady action but also ensures a reliable supply of fish for our customers. #### Bottom Fishing: Hot Action Before the Cold Front Just before the recent cold front, bottom fishing was incredibly productive, with local boats reporting excellent catches of snappers, amberjack, and even a few shallow-water groupers. Snappers are a crowd favorite among our clients, and many love to take them home for a delicious dinner. #### Offshore Mahi: Slow but Steady On the offshore front, mahi-mahi fishing has been slower than usual. Most boats venturing into these waters have either caught undersized mahi or faced complete skunks. Historically, offshore fishing picks up around March and continues through October, offering much better opportunities during the summer months. ### Looking Ahead As we move into the next few months, fishing in South Florida is expected to improve. We eagerly anticipate the late-season cold fronts that will further enhance our fishing conditions. Stay tuned for more updates from aboard the Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing Charters. Call to book your Fishing Charter today.. Marlin My Darlin **hidden content** **hidden content**

Less than ideal weather but we made it happen today on the Don’t Tell Mom! We caught a big beautiful Warsaw Grouper using live bait on a deep wreck. This super rare catch will make for plenty of delicious meals and we are super thankful to have caught it!