Fresh Fort Lauderdale Fishing Reports

Live bait is a daily topic amongst the top crews in the fishing industry. To use it or not. This is not the normal fishing report but an explanation on the subject of using live bait. There are misconceptions amongst the topic of using live bait, most from inexperienced clients. This is to help clear some of the misunderstandings. Do we really need live bait? No! Does it help to have it? Sometimes... Having live bait in the well can offer additional methods towards attracting game fish however it isn't an end all,be all. Many tournaments are geared towards using dead bait only as it forces the crew to hone their skills in bait rigging. That being said, the best rigged dead bait can swim while being trolled, so well in fact, you'd think it was alive! Enter the bait fisherman. There are many bait fish options out there. Many are for sale by commercial bait fisherman who catch certain species of baits during night hours. These baits can save you time rather than trying to catch them yourself. However, that convenience comes at a cost of $100 per dozen of live bait! Many clients will decline the opportunity to purchase bait due to its high cost and that's understandable. It's also not a deal breaker as many fish, SAILFISH included, are caught with dead bait. Often times the client would like to purchase the bait but it isn't available due to weather or bait shortages. Once again, not a dead end! Talk to your Captain when scheduling your charter and ask whether they suggest live bait. It can be ordered in advance as long as weather holds out. How would live bait differ from dead bait? Live bait can be trolled slowly from outriggers or downriggers, flown from kites and even used on deep water wrecks. Dead bait can be used in every way except for kite fishing. Most kite fishing experts use live bait only except when deploying of shark baits (dead bait). The trolling speed would differ greatly as most live baits cannot handle being pulled too fast as they will either spin or simply drown. Dead baits can be pulled at much faster speed and can be combined with skirts or lures etc. I hope this shines a light on the subject. Capt Matt Fann

When booking a charter make sure you find a boat that offers a two man crew, Soflo sportfishing offers you a Capatin and first mate while you fish with us in Fort Lauderdale. Having a crew fish the boat is much better option then what the smaller boats can offer. Family and kid friendly lets get you booked for your next fishing adventure!!

Winter time cold fronts are known for pushing sailfish, south. Other fish will also follow along as bait fish move in large numbers. Lately,we have seen such activity and do expect it to continue till around April. If you're looking to schedule the perfect getaway then pick the days following a cold front. This allows the fish to become stimulated and it's more likely to find them while they are moving and hungry rather than stationary. Expect blackfin tuna and mackerel to follow along the same lines as the sailfish, in depths of 100ft or even less. Capt Matt Fann

Fall in South Florida is a prime time for anglers, and Good Hit Sport Fishing has been delivering some incredible fishing experiences. Let's dive into the recent action: Wahoo: These speed demons are tearing up the water, and our anglers have been reeling them in one after another. Recent trips have seen some epic battles with these hard-fighting fish. Sailfish: The sailfish bite has been hot, with multiple releases per trip. These majestic fish are a sight to behold, and our experienced captains know how to find them. Sharks: Sharks of all sizes are cruising the waters, providing thrilling encounters for anglers of all skill levels. From smaller blacktips to larger hammerheads, there's always a chance for an unforgettable experience. King Mackerel: These powerful predators are schooling up and feeding aggressively, providing some exciting fishing action. Recent trips have seen anglers land trophy-sized kings that put up a serious fight. Snapper and Grouper: The reefs and wrecks are teeming with life, and our anglers have been hauling in plenty of delicious snapper and grouper. Mahi Mahi: While the mahi mahi bite has slowed down slightly, there are still opportunities to find these colorful fish cruising the surface. With the fall fishing season in full swing, now is the perfect time to book a charter with Good Hit Sport Fishing and experience the thrill of the bite.

This week has brought exciting action on the water, with anglers reeling in some fantastic catches both from the drift boats and sportfish boats. Drift Boat Action: The drift boats have been on a hot streak, especially with snapper catches. Yellowtail snapper and mangrove snapper are abundant, with anglers reporting consistent action throughout the day. Even some big mutton snapper have been making an appearance, offering a thrilling fight for those lucky enough to hook one. Additionally, a few nice kingfish have been caught recently, alongside the fast and aggressive cero mackerel and Spanish mackerel, providing a variety of species to target. Sportfishing Highlights: Sportfish boats are seeing a great mix of fish, typical for this time of year. Mahi mahi are still being caught in good numbers, while barracuda continue to give anglers a run for their money. Kingfish are still on the bite, and the bigger fish like amberjack are also proving to be a worthy adversary. Blackfin tuna are adding excitement to the action, with some nice-sized ones showing up in the catch reports. For those after a true challenge, the elusive sailfish and wahoo have started making there appearance in our waters. Big game sharks are also in the area, providing a thrilling experience for those targeting them. It’s a fantastic time to be out on the water, with a great mix of species available for anglers of all levels. The weather has been cooperating, adding to the overall excitement of the season’s fishing opportunities.

**Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report: Marlin My Darlin Charterboat - December 1, 2024** November has been one for the record books here aboard the Marlin My Darlin. The month delivered exceptional charter fishing experiences, boasting an impressive array of pelagic species including mahi-mahi, blackfin tuna, and a plentiful number of wahoo. It was certainly one of the most productive Novembers we've had in recent years, complemented by fantastic weather and bustling business. The offshore fishing scene has been a mixed bag. While we haven't encountered much seaweed or floating debris to target, the mahi fishing remains promising, albeit somewhat inconsistent. The catches offshore haven't been enormous, but we've landed a respectable number of school-sized fish with a few larger catches adding to the excitement. Kite fishing has been the highlight of late, benefiting greatly from the increase in wind. The conditions have ushered in a healthy collection of sailfish, mahi, blackfin tuna, and impressively large king mackerel. Kite fishing is a beloved practice in our waters this time of year, and it never fails to deliver thrilling moments on the line. Trolling along the reef has been a tale of two shifts. Morning charters have seen moderate action with a smattering of kingfish and small bonito. Conversely, the afternoon reels tell a different story, showcasing an abundance of blackfin tuna and the occasional wahoo as the day winds down. Our bottom fishing endeavors have been fruitful, with an influx of small vermilion snappers and a modest number of snowy groupers, which we've been careful to release. Although amberjacks and groupers have been somewhat elusive, we expect their numbers to grow in the coming months. Swordfishing offshore remains robust, with commercial boats and our charters alike enjoying success. The daytime fishing has been particularly noteworthy, landing sizable swordfish ranging from 150 to over 500 pounds using electric reels in depths of 1,700 feet. Lastly, shark fishing along the reef has been nothing short of phenomenal. In recent weeks, we've had exhilarating encounters with some truly remarkable specimens. Big Hammerheads, Tiger Shark, Bull Sharks around lately. Get in on the action soon. As always, we're thrilled to provide unforgettable fishing experiences. Whether you're here for the rush of the catch or the serenity of the sea, the Marlin My Darlin is ready to make your adventure a memorable one. Book your trip today and let’s make some lasting fishing memories! Marlin My Darlin **hidden content** **hidden content**