Erratic fishing on fishing charters in F

January 09, 2018 Fort Lauderdale 4 photos
Sailfish
Sailfish
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)

Trip Summary

The strong fishing coming in off the latest frontal system has waned and we are finding ourselves hard pressed to draw strikes from good game fish. There are some large Sharks well off the edge but most everything else is proving difficult. A lot of time spent the last couple of days off the edge of the reef did yield sharks of all sizes and a really good opportunity at an exceptional Wahoo that took a small live Bullett Bonito that had an unhappy ending (for us) as the fish turned sharply after a long strong run as Wahoo often do, and doubled back into to line, biting us off. Not at all a common occurrence, but it does happen. Lucky Wahoo for sure. A couple of Sailfish bites resulted in one fish pulling off just behind the boat and outside the leader, the second opportunity at one had the fish quickly throwing the hook. We have chosen to hammer away at the reef now and we have caught some Kingfish, Bonito and Barracudas. But we have also spent some time again pulling live Ballyhoo and mixed them in with those small live Bullett Bonito in an effort to draw bites from more potential species. Only a couple of Mahi-Mahi and large Bonito have joined in there, with no Sailfish showing in the baits. Occasionally spotting a free jumping Sail moving south (as expected) but only a single fish caught by the fleet yesterday. The current is close to zero on the reefs. There was reasonable north current out in 400 feet but...........we'll try door #3 tomorrow, and that will begin by starting out on the reefs on the troll where there is thankfully some activity. Forecasters and calling for it to reach 80 degrees the next couple of days with S/SE winds and then a small front rolling through will drop it to the lower 70s and then upper 60s for a high the second day as the front passes by. Reasonable wind is expected so we will be comfortable offshore.
All-Inclusive Sportfishing
Fort-lauderdale, Florida, United States
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Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing is a company with an excellent reputation and almost half a century of local experience in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas. Offering all types of fishing, the crew specializes in catching big fish in a professional ...

Other reports from this charter

Marlin My Darlin charter fishing report
Marlin My Darlin charter fishing report
June 16, 2026
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report – June 16, 2026 Fort Lauderdale Charter, Fishing Report Overview Over the last 10 days, fishing has been consistently good. Most boats report catches of mahi-mahi, blackfin tuna, tuna, wahoo, kingfish, bonita, and even a few late-season sailfish still around. We’ve also seen several larger sharks in the area over the past couple of weeks, including a few big hammerheads. Looking ahead, the forecast for the next couple of weeks is excellent, and fishing should improve as we move deeper into summer. Reef Trolling Reef trolling has been absolutely fantastic. Expect steady catches of blackfin tuna, wahoo, bonita, kingfish, and mahi-mahi. This has been the most reliable fishing pattern throughout the summer and has continued to deliver strong results. Shark Fishing Shark fishing has been outstanding over the last couple of weeks, with many bigger hammerheads reported, along with lemon sharks, sandbar sharks, reef sharks, and even a big tiger shark this week. Summer shark fishing is typically strong and should stay productive through October. Mahi Mahi (Mahi Mahi Offshore) Offshore mahi fishing has been a mix of good and challenging days. Some boats are loading up with large numbers of smaller school-size fish, while others have had more limited success. Expect this fishery to become more consistent as summer progresses, with the peak typically arriving in September. Bottom Fishing Bottom fishing has been steady to light the last couple of weeks. Most boats are catching consistent numbers of smaller snappers and amberjacks, with occasional groupers mixed in. Bottom fishing remains a reliable, crowd-pleasing option throughout the summer and into fall. Conclusion Overall, the official Fort Lauderdale fishing report is positive and should continue to improve as the season progresses. If you’re in town or looking to get out on the water, give us a call to book your Fort Lauderdale fishing charter. We can accommodate corporate events, bachelor parties, birthdays, and more. Let us tailor a trip to your needs. Contact Marlin My Darlin Phone: **hidden content** Website: **hidden content** Call to action Ready to fish? Book your Fort Lauderdale fishing charter today and experience the best in reef trolling, shark fishing, mahi, and bottom fishing with our experienced crew.
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June report
June report
June 9, 2026
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February 1, 2026 charter report
February 1, 2026 charter report
February 2, 2026
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