Fishing in Fort Lauderdale

February 08, 2017 Fort Lauderdale 5 photos
Amberjack
Amberjack
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)

Trip Summary

Nice warm days with continued low wind situations have combined to make for pleasant fishing in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas of Miami and Pompano Beach. Lots of sun and no rain here for several days now. 86 to 87 degrees forecast as the high for Wednesday. We continue on a pace for possibly the warmest Winter ever recorded. Compare that with the 18 to 24 inches of snow now in the Northeast and it seems like another solar system. I personally would like to see some cool to cold air, but the folks spending the big bucks to stay here for awhile surely would beg to differ. Anyway, warm to hot is the forecast for the rest of the week here. Shorts, T shirt and some sunscreen. Still finding those over sized Kingfish willing to take a live Bonito fished as bait. These fish are ranging from 60 feet of water on out to 150, with 85 to 100 feet near the third offshore reef line being a good depth. Some smaller Kings too but the big ones taking the live baits, especially as we wind down off this big moon. The football sized Blackfin Tuna continue to pass through our area just outside of that same third reef line. Good fun on lighter tackle. A few more Mahi-Mahi have shown up in our Ft. Lauderdale fishing areas offshore but they remain smallish, but most are of legal 'keeper” size, which is a very generous 20 inch fork length. Small bunches of Mahi-Mahi chasing flying fish and occasionally picking through the weed for looking for easier to catch smaller fish. Small baits are the best presentation here as they by far draw the most bites and have the best hook up ratio on those bites. We have been hammering our bottom spots lately with mixed results. A good catch day is followed up by a weak one. Tiles, Vermies and Porkies. There are some fat Amberjacks as pictured on the deep wrecks. Some A.J. on the inside wrecks as well, but typically a bit smaller. Always fun when we can find them, regardless of size. Sailfishing remains weak here but there is better news for Swordfish out in the Gulfstream. We will be taking aim @ them shortly with one of our regulars and his son so wish us good fishing and we'll see you offshore. Tight lines and good fishing from all of us aboard the Marlin My Darlin
All-Inclusive Sportfishing
Fort-lauderdale, Florida, United States
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing thumbnail
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.
Continue reading
June report
June report
June 9, 2026
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report – June 9 Over the past couple of weeks we’ve hosted several large corporate events and bachelor parties, plus a few birthdays. Every charter has been memorable, with guests leaving raving about the experience. The seagrass has been tougher this year, making for some challenging fishing conditions, but the bite is very much alive. Target species and bite notes - Mahi-mahi, blackfin tuna, tuna, snapper, grouper, sharks, and sailfish are all actively chewing. As we head from May into June, summertime fishing is in full swing. Trolling - Reef trolling has been excellent when we can find clean water away from the seagrass. Expect mahi-mahi, kingfish, blackfin tuna, and the occasional wahoo. Depths of 100 to 400 feet have produced the best action recently. Bottom fishing - With grouper season open, bottom fishing has been outstanding. We’ve seen sizable gag and black grouper grabs in the last several days. The June full moon typically brings a strong mutton snapper bite as well. This is a prime time for bottom fishing trips. Kite fishing - Kite fishing has been slower due to heavy seagrass and dense seaweed plumes, which makes live-bait presentation tricky. Once we find clean water, kite fishing pays off with big-game targets like sailfish, hammerheads, sharks, mahi-mahi, and even wahoo. Offshore mahi - Northshore mahi fishing has been red-hot over the last two weeks. The seagrass has pushed schools into bigger groups and brought in some larger fish, with several 20–25 pound mahi reported. Offshore patches of seaweed and debris remain productive for big mahi and active schools. Conclusion June is shaping up to be a fantastic month as school winds down and we head into peak summer fishing. We’re excited to welcome new friends and returning guests for family charters, corporate events, and birthday celebrations at Marlin My Darlin. If you’re looking to book, we’re happy to accommodate you in any way possible. Contact Marlin My Darlin Phone: **hidden content** Website: **hidden content**
Continue reading
February 1, 2026 charter report
February 1, 2026 charter report
February 2, 2026
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**
Continue reading