Fort Lauderdale Charter Fishing Report โ€“

December 20, 2023 Fort Lauderdale 6 photos

Trip Summary

As the festive season unfurls, so have our fishing lines! December in Fort Lauderdale has offered us a cocktail of weather patterns, but anglers aboard our renowned vessels โ€“ 'Marlin, My Darlinโ€™ both 46 and 53 feet of pristine charter prowess โ€“ have reaped the benefits of a teeming Atlantic. Here's the lowdown on what's been leaping from the waters. **Sailfish Season in Swing:** December's dip in mercury traditionally heralds a spike in sailfish activity a trend that has held true. Thanks to cooler climes, these acrobatic fighters have been a consistent thrill, providing many anglers with the rush of a lifetime. Our captains have employed kite fishing with a master's touch, luring sailfish to the surface and into the hands of exuberant anglers. Incidentally, this method has also tempted imposing trophy sharks, with hammerheads, tigers, and makos making appearances that have sent reels screaming and pulses racing. **Mahi-mahi Mania:** Offshore pursuits have been fruitful for those targeting mahi-mahi. Most have returned successful, hoisting fish within the 3 to 7-pound bracket, although there have been tales of larger specimens. These vibrant battlers have been prowling waters from 400 to 1000 feet, where they've struck baits with the tenacity for which they're celebrated. **Tuna and Wahoo Whispers:** Blackfin tunas have graced us with their presence, albeit playing hard to get. Intermixed in the catch, wahoo has been the occasional delight โ€“ their searing speed and razor bite adding a layer of excitement to any fishing narrative. **Reef Fishing Rundown:** While the reef scene has been sluggish at times, especially for trolling enthusiasts, the perseverance of our crews has paid dividends. Wahoo have made periodic dashes across our spreads, while small tunas and respectable king mackerel have kept the action steady. **Wreck Fishing Rewards:** For those who've fancied their chances closer to the seabed, the shipwrecks have served up a mixed bag. Large snappers still lurk in the shadows, joined by formidable amberjacks and the visually delightful vermilion snappers. It's been a case of 'drop and reel' for those hitting these honey holes. **Looking Ahead:** With Mother Nature promising a stretch of sterling weather, and the holiday spirit embracing Fort Lauderdale, there couldn't be a more divine time for a family fishing charter. Whether you're a local or planning a yuletide vacation, the silver lining is clear โ€“ December's waters are bustling with life, and 'Marlin My Darlinโ€™ charters are at the ready to create memories that will sparkle long after the holiday lights dim. Book your adventure and let's cast lines into the bright horizon of fishing festivities!
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 โ€“ 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. Weโ€™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 youโ€™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
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report โ€“ June 9 Over the past couple of weeks weโ€™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. Weโ€™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 20โ€“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. Weโ€™re excited to welcome new friends and returning guests for family charters, corporate events, and birthday celebrations at Marlin My Darlin. If youโ€™re looking to book, weโ€™re happy to accommodate you in any way possible. Contact Marlin My Darlin Phone: **hidden content** Website: **hidden content**
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February 1, 2026 charter report
February 1, 2026 charter report
February 2, 2026
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report: January 26, 2023 โ€“ 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**
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