Fishing in Fort Lauderdale has got a lot going for it. With huge fish right in town
and very deep waters that are easily accessible, it’s a pretty incredible
location – even for Florida’s standards. On top of that, the action is excellent year-round,
the nature is striking, and there’s a huge variety of fish you can catch.
In this video, we’ll get into the top species in Fort Lauderdale’s diverse waters,
where to catch ‘em, and when to plan your trip.
Let’s get right into it.
Fort Lauderdale sits on a maze of canals, most of which are filled with fish. So many,
in fact, that they call it ‘“The Venice of America.” This is thanks in large part
to the Intracoastal Waterway – a 3,000-mile inland channel that feeds right into the city.
If you’re staying in a house that sits on the canal it’s as easy as dipping your rod into
the waters right off of your dock. Or, you could head out with some of the many captains in the
area with specially equipped inshore boats ready to take you out. Heading out with a professional
is a great idea, especially because the canals are home to some pretty big fish.
First on the list are iconic Peacock Bass. Although they were initially brought in
to stave off invasive fish, they’ve become a firm and colorful favorite
for visiting and local anglers alike. They like their waters nice and warm
so if you’re fishing in the winter set your sights on Largemouth Bass instead.
Both of these species can be found in Fort Lauderdale's less salty canals,
whereas big names like Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish can be found in saltier waters
depending on the time of year – we’ll get more into that later in the video.
If you’re looking to branch out of the canals or the season isn’t quite right for the fish
you want to catch, Fort Lauderdale offers a host of additional inshore opportunities.
During the summer high season, huge piles of Tarpon, growing up to 200 pounds,
roll into the shallow waters along the Intracoastal Waterway. The warmer months
also give you your best shot at trophy Snook as they crowd the beaches to spawn.
Slightly further out, Fort Lauderdale's popular shallow reef is stocked with
delicious Snapper varieties including Mangrove, Mutton, and Yellowtail. And,
luckily for you, it’s located just a mile from Port Everglades – meaning it
won’t be long before you’re casting into it for keeper fish. If your
timing is just right you could also hook larger species like Kingfish and Bonito.
This reef is an especially popular fishing spot for Fort Lauderdale party boats. If
you’re on a budget and looking to take home some catch and cook fish
this is one of your best opportunities to get out there and experience success.
If you’ve got the means to travel out even further, there’s more to look forward to. Fort
Lauderdale is home to over 100 reefs and wrecks and the waters get deep fast. Just 6 miles from
shore the sea floor plummets to 800 feet and the further out you go, the deeper it gets.
This is where you’re going to hook into Red Snapper, a variety of Grouper, Amberjacks,
and Sharks. What exactly you can catch and which fish are around
will depend on the time of year so be sure to keep watching for more on that.
If you’re heading to Fort Lauderdale to get your fill of deep sea fishing – you aren’t the
only one. It’s arguably the most popular type of fishing here and there’s a good reason for that.
The Gulf Stream runs straight past its shores just 10 miles out and brings some big fish with it.
It’s hard to choose where to start with so many epic species on offer but kicking
it off with Sailfish feels right. These fish bring it all. From their showstopping
sails to their acrobatic jumps, and the incredible sizes they can reach,
it’s no wonder they’re a firm favorite among Fort Lauderdale anglers.
In the height of summer, you can also try to go after Marlin and even Swordfish from late summer
through the fall. But, if a fish that’s good to eat is on your bucket list, look no further than
Tuna. Casting for Blackfin Tuna is nothing short of fantastic in Fort Lauderdale. These fish can
reach up to around 40-pounds, but don’t let that number fool you. Their brute strength
provides some of the best fights out there – not to mention a great meal at the end of the day.
And speaking of fish that are good to eat, Mahi Mahi are another excellent
year-round target in Fort Lauderdale. They’re hungriest in the spring and
fall so plan your trip around these dates if you’re set on hooking one.
Last but certainly not least are Wahoo. They’re almost as fast as Sailfish and
trolling is the name of the game if you want to hook one. This species can be very
elusive thanks to its excellent eyesight and agility. To make things easier on yourself,
plan your time around full moons in the summer months.
There’s clearly a lot to experience in Fort Lauderdale’s deep waters.
Even though travel times are short compared to other destinations,
a full-day trip, and a well-equipped boat are still your best bet if you
want to target a variety of fish or spend some additional time fishing the reefs.
With that, you’re probably wondering when you should plan your trip. Open seasons in
Florida are subject to change – sometimes multiple times a year – so take what you
hear next with a grain of salt and make sure you’re checking with your captain or the FWC
before you head out with a specific target in mind. That said, let’s get into seasonality
and open seasons for some of the top catches in Fort Lauderdale’s waters.
If you’re inshore fishing for Tarpon, peak season takes place between April and June, and
provides the best opportunity to battle bigger fish. In the winter months,
you’ll find smaller Tarpon within the canals. Just remember – these
fish are strictly catch and release in Florida throughout the entire year.
As for Snook, there are a few closed seasons to keep in mind – namely one during the summer
and one in the winter months. Exact dates are subject to change on a yearly basis,
so be sure you’re staying up to date. If you do catch one during these periods,
make sure you’re releasing the fish back into the water.
Red Snapper are some of the most sought-after fish in the Gulf and Atlantic and as such,
they’re subject to a short open season – usually taking place during the summer months. Luckily,
this is the best time to cast for big keeper fish and there are plenty to go around. On
the other hand, species like Yellowtail and Cubera are up for grabs year-round.
Sailfish and Tuna aren’t usually subject to closed seasons in Fort Lauderdale but
they are migratory fish so they won’t always be around. For your best shot at Sailfish plan your
trip between the months of January and March or September through November. As for Tuna,
fishing for Blackfins stays solid throughout the year but peaks in early spring and between October
and November. Yellowfins are harder to come by but you could get lucky in December and January.
Now that you know what you can catch and when, you’re almost ready to get out on the water.
The last thing to cover is fishing licenses. If you’re fishing with a charter captain on a private
or shared charter, there’s no need to worry. Your captain will cover licenses for everyone on board.
If you’re fishing on your own, whether that’s from the shore or your own boat,
you’ll need to buy a license for all anglers between the ages of 16 and 65.
You can find detailed price breakdowns and additional info on the different
license types available in Florida by checking out our extensive blog article.
And that’s it! Your Fort Lauderdale fishing trip can officially begin. To book the fishing charter
that’s right for you and the trip you’re planning, download the FishingBooker app.
It’s available on the Google Play and App stores and allows you to browse the largest selection
of fishing charters in Fort Lauderdale, compare prices and amenities, and book fast and easy. Or,
check us out online at FishingBooker.com to start planning your Fort Lauderdale fishing trip today!