Fort Lauderdale Fishing Reports

April is here and fishing in Ft Lauderdale is very productive right now. Greater Amberjacks have taken up residence on our deepwater wrecks in good numbers. These fish range in size from 25 to over 60 pounds.

We take most on live bait and the rest on jigs. When you can get thru the jacks there are some nice Groupers on these same wrecks (see photo). The Kingfish bite has been consistent on the reefs with Bonito occasionally mixed in.” Occasional" Wahoo on the reef line with the Kings.

We are still seeing Sailfish on these same reefs and just deeper on windy days, with the north winds still the best condition.

Lots of larger sharks just off the reef now if you are interested in this and pretty much a sure thing right now. Offshore has been fairly consistent for Mahi-Mahi and very good for what we call "board Wahoo" which are fish typically from 8 to 15 # that we target under floating debris and "boards' out in the blue water. The majority of the Mai-Mai are schoolies of course, but some bigger bulls (over 30#) are passing thru regularly now. Swordfishing is erratic and could certainly improve. Hopefully it will. These fish remain difficult to figure with any consistency, but some are being taken.

March 2008

Once again we find ourselves running late with our fishing report off Fort Lauderdale. This time I’m happy to say the delay has led to good news.

Our weather the last few weeks has been strange to say the least. This is the wettest dry season I can remember with storms leading to rough seas and long, rainy days. But these storms that preceded the cold from that came through in the first week of March has led to our best Sailfish action yet this year, so much so that if we only catch one, we’re disappointed. The fish have been moving quickly and eating most everything in their paths.

And now that the flood gates have opened, we expect the rest of our winter visitors to make their appearances as well. Sharks have already been seen tailing south. Small Tuna also have begun biting, with a few big ones being caught. The Kingfish fishing has been slow, but the few being caught have been nice size.

Dolphin fishing remains somewhat erratic with a few being caught while live baiting on the reef. Those searching offshore are finding a few schools of fish, but most are too small to keep. Luckily, Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) are one of the fastest growing fish in the ocean and just a month can add enough weight to be able to keep a few for the table.

Well, that’s all for this month. I’ve got to get to the boat for today’s trip. We’ve still got plenty of room in April and May, our two best fishing months down here off Ft. Lauderdale. It sure is nice to be writing this and remembering the fish we’ve been catching lately…

Hope to see you soon.
Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Call direct 954/761-8202

February 2008

Each year by this time, we expect to have seen the migration of Sailfish to the south by now. As the winter fronts push temperatures lower in the ocean, the bait fish move south in search of warmer conditions and the pelagic fish follow. While up north in the mid west and the northeast have experienced some serious winter cold, we down here in Fort Lauderdale have had an extremely mild winter so far. And that mildness has caused a delay in the fish we expect to make their appearances as scheduled.

While some Sailfish have been caught, we have not seen the mass movement through our area yet. They will be coming; they always do, driven by the weather. Last year, we had GREAT action with Sailfish from February through March because of the late arrival of winter.

Some of our other winter visitors have begun arriving on time. All species of sharks are beginning to show. While I have yet to hear of a Mako being caught, Threshers, Hammerheads, Blacktip and even Tiger Sharks are being seen and caught. It’s not unusual to see them swim by, just cruising the surface for a meal.

The reef has offered some Kingfish action. While not the numbers we catch in the summer, we can usually pull a few fish for dinner or shark bait to the boat. Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) also have made their presence known on the reef as well as off shore. Schools of these fish moving south have been seen each week eating anything they come across and continuing their trek south. Some of the bigger fish, in the 20 and 30 lbs class have been caught as well.

Amberjacks have made an entrance on some of the deeper wrecks and reefs. Some Grouper and small Snapper are also being caught.

Each day we head out to the fishing grounds… expecting today to be the day it all begins for 2008. While we have had some good days, the best is still to come for this year.

Join us, won’t you?

Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Call direct 954/761-8202

January 2008

We have had a few cold fronts come through Fort Lauderdale already, our strongest just after the first of the year. While it has produced some Sailfish activity, it hasn’t produced the number of fish nor the action we expect yet. That means the best is still to come, and come it will!

Last year, we had a very late winter. Friends of mine in Chicago called the day after Christmas to tell me they were playing golf. This winter is NOT what the mild start of last winter was, and we expect this Sailfish “bite” to come within a few weeks, maybe sooner. If the weather cooperates, we could have a nice, long session with these fish in the Ft. Lauderdale area as they migrate to the south.

Live bait fishing has been the choice of late. A few Sharks have already made an appearance. Hammerheads have been seen swimming on the surface headed south in relatively shallow water. We released about a 6 footer just the other day after a 30 minute fight. More will be here soon.

Kingfish fishing has been slow but is improving. Just a few fish in a trip instead of the numbers a few months ago. They usually return February with the smaller Kings showing up first.

The last week has also had the welcome appearance of some small and mid sized Dolphin (Mahi Mahi). Most of these fish have been seen while waiting for a Sailfish while live baiting.

Amberjacks are also beginning to be caught on the deeper wrecks. Small Vermillion, Yellow eye and Lane Snapper are also being taken when the conditions permit. These Snapper are usually small in size, but tasty…

Daytime Swordfish fishing was red hot last week. Average size was over 200 pounds. Some real “studs” are being caught when the weather will allow it.

Are you ready?

We are…

Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Call direct 954/761-8202

December 2007

Here we are, living in Ft. Lauderdale, 2 weeks away from Christmas running our air conditioners. But I guess it could be worse, considering what the northern states offered up this first week of December. We made it into the low 80’s today. Almost too nice… We are all actually hoping for a drop of about 20 degrees for a day or two to really get things going

And as always the case, the weather, specifically the cold fronts are what drive the fish through our area. Our winter fish migration has begun and small schools of Sailfish are providing some of our action. Both small and adult fish are being seen ,smaller groups of aggressive, hungry fish that are often caught and only occasionally missed due to their hunger A number of these fish are being seen while trolling and also we are now seeing them more and more chasing bait near the reef. A well placed live bait on 20# test spinning tackle can produce great results when these opportunities are presented.

And as we go deeper into winter, we expect the main push of these acrobatic fighters to once again visit us here in large numbers as they pass through Fort Lauderdale on their way south. Late December and January can hold incredible days of action while Sailfish fishing here.

While King Mackerel fishing has been somewhat slow, a few decent fish are being caught( while trolling and also live baiting) and some “smokers “(big boys) will be here by Xmas Spanish Mackerel have taken up some of the slack while we count the days to the arrival of the big Kings. While not as big, certainly tasty morsels to both our anglers and also a favorite meal of these smoker King Mackerel.

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) have also been limited to some degree, one day they are here, the next day they’re gone. No consistency what so ever in whether they are here or not, with the exception of strong on-shore winds resulting in better catches. While most have been schoolie size, there have been some taken over 25 and 30 lbs, a great fish to catch.

With this been our last report of 2007, we at the Marlin My Darlin want to take this opportunity to wish you a delightful Holiday season. May you and your friends and families travel safely to your destinations, whether across the country or across town.

And may you have a prosperous and Happy New Year.

Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Call direct 954/761-8202

October/November 2007

September is usually the time our summer fish begin moving from the area. It begins a transitional stage of the migratory patterns of fish we receive throughout our area each year and we will soon be saying goodbye to the bomber Bonito we have been catching in amazing numbers lately, sometimes as many as 50 or more in a 4 hour trip. As these fierce fighters move from the area, the Kingfish will be a bit more accessible for capture as will some of the other fishes we catch on the reefs. When the Bonito leave is of course, up to the fish, but they will. And when they move on, we will see the beginning of the bait run coming down the coast.

With temperatures still in the low 90’s, by the end of the month we will be hearing from friends up further north on the South Florida coast as schools of Mullet begin moving south towards Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. Behind these massive schools of bait, that can be see sometimes from the beaches, are the winter fish we expect to see in the next few months.

With the bait on the move, Tarpon can be found right on their heels. Sardines and Pilchards join this migration. Blackfin Tuna, nice sized Dolphin and Wahoo, and the young Sailfish will appear as well. These small acrobats are a delight when they show, fun to catch as the smaller fish put on quite an air show usually.

Most weighing a mere 10 to 15 pounds clear the water easily since their length is almost 5 feet or more. It’s a power to weight ratio thing.

As these fishes make their appearances in the next few months, it’s only right that predators be close behind. Small reef sharks such as the Blacktip will also make their presence known here in Fort Lauderdale and can be seen swimming freely where we fish offshore.

In the next few months, we begin to put our trolling gear away and set up live baiting to catch fish. It IS, after all, how you catch the bigger fish… and you DID want to try for a big one, right?

Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Call direct 954/761-8202

July is upon us and with it comes our summer Fort Lauderdale fishing trends and those trends are GREAT for families with kids. Summer winds mean calm seas and the “bite” on the reef is usually good to excellent. Kingfish have been biting with such veracity that catching your limit is more often the norm. Bonita, a very strong fighter for its size, can be had to the point there is no room left in the box for another, so we let them go…and with all this “fresh fish” around the reef, the chance at a large Barracuda is quite good.

We have seen an increase in their numbers in the last few weeks, sacrificing the occasional King or Bonita on the way to the boat if the angler reels too slowly. Of course, half a fish is better than none??? LOL…a pleasant surprise is also the continued presence of large Sharks. On our Fort Lauderdale fishing charters we can target these Sharks using some of those same Kingfish and Bonita as bait.

While the reefs have been providing us with action, those calm winds and light currents have offered us some good snapper fishing as well. Deep drops for Vermillion Snapper and Atlantic Tilefish can be fun on the days when the conditions allow. The occasional large Grouper can also be had, a very nice surprise, as well as a sumptuous dinner.

Light summer winds allow the seaweed to form large beds offshore, or weed lines to form along current edges. We are spending quite a bit of our Ft. Lauderdale charter fishing time offshore Dolphin fishing in clear blue Gulfstream water. Searching for Dolphin offshore can be a blast when a school of fish is found under the weeds or floating debris. While fishing and searching for Mahi’s and Wahoo’s we like to have at least one large bait out, just in case the Man in the Blue suit shows up. Seeing Blue Marlin jump off in the distance can be a real thrill. Seeing one jump behind the boat with one of our bait’s in his mouth, the thrill of a lifetime and is why we named her “Marlin My Darlin”.

It is also a great time for Swordfish. The weather cooperates on a far more regular basis and the evenings are cooler on the water. Multiple bites and hook-ups have been the norm lately and we expect that tread to continue.

Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Call direct 954/761-8202

The arrival of June announces the summer mode for Ft. Lauderdale fishing. Gone are many of the windy days of spring. We are now beginning to spend more and more time offshore. On many days inshore reef fishing will be excellent for Kingfish and occasional Sailfish, with some near shore Dolphin schools. May was excellent inshore when the weather allowed us to fish, but now we tend to spend more time offshore looking for Dolphin (a.k.a. Dorado or Mahi Mahi) schools, scattered Sailfish and Blue Marlin in clean gulfstream water. Six hour charters with a 7 am starting time are a good choice for fishing in Fort Lauderdale as it allows us a little more time to find fish for our Ft. Lauderdale charter clients. This more than anytime of year allows the experience of the top crews to score the best numbers. Constant boat movement (5 to 7 knots) requires focused crews to be alert for developing opportunities. Working sea birds, floating debris (dolphin magnet), current edges and weed lines are our agenda. We welcome the participation of the fishing charter as five, six or seven sets of eyes are better than two. Once roving schools of dolphin are located the spinning rods replace the trolling rods. Small to medium sized Wahoo are often caught beneath and in the vicinity of floating debris, the larger ones typically on current edges. Blue Marlin are a possibility in the vicinity of the above conditions and even in the “middle of nowhere” when he just pops up in the spread while hunting. Dolphin caught in Marlin My Darlin

Inshore wrecks will still hold fair numbers of bottom fish as well as Amberjacks. Reef sharks will steadily increase their presence on shallow wrecks and reef lines for those of you who wish to target a shark while fishing in Ft. Lauderdale this summer.

We will be taking more Swordfish charters at this time of year. Calming wind conditions allow us more opportunities to fish for this great gamefish, and they offer a good chance for success this time of year. Pull up Swordfishing on our home page for more information on this fishery.

Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Call direct 954/761-8202

Our spring fishing season is here and has brought with it some of our best offshore action this year for Ft. Lauderdale fishing. Sailfish continue to be in our waters in reasonable numbers. Not as many as in January or February, but still in attendance. Larger schools of Dolphin (Dorado, Mahi Mahi) are moving south just outside the outer reef line. Large schools of Bonita with occasional Blackfin Tuna are working numerous minnow pods from 60ft. out to 600ft. Cobia are being caught on an almost daily basis.

The days just before and after April and May full moons offer chances at some of the biggest Kings we will see all year. Amberjacks are now on the offshore fishing wrecks and swordfish are a good bet for deep sea fishing offshore.

The spring (southbound) shark migration is in full swing. Hammerheads, Makos and Threshers are being caught on surface fished baits as well as bottom and mid depth baits.. Hammerheads are seen often “tailing” on the surface of Fort Lauderdale now. Most are 150lbs. but some exceed 300lbs. and a couple of 500 pounders have been caught. If you want a big fish, this is the time for Ft. Lauderdale fishing with the sharks as the target species.

Predictable weather and ocean conditions along with good fishing make this our favorite time of year for Fort Lauderdale fishing. Sword fish, sharks, Dolphin, Kings, Sailfish, ect are ALL available.

Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
954/761-8202

March has begun with some of the expected, as well as a few things unexpected. One of the unexpected things is that Sailfish fishing remains strong. While we catch Sailfish almost year round here, the numbers still being seen traveling south has been far more than is usually encountered this time of year, probably due to the weak beginning to winter, hard to believe as some of you up north are still enduring bitter cold.

Another unexpected presence is one not seen, the wrecks teaming with Amberjacks. While we are getting a few bites, the numbers are down from where they should be. We expect these fish to “check in” any day now. Their time is due.

What we always look for this time of year is the appearance of sharks coming onto our area. The smaller reef sharks, like Silkys and Blacktips have made their presence known, as well as some of the bigger, deep water sharks. Hammerheads have been seen traveling south on the surface and are being caught in deeper waters as well. The “exotics” like Thresher and Mako sharks are being caught in deep water (with good success of hooking one of these), as we found out on the Marlin My Darlin the other day with a 250# Mako.

King Mackerel fishing has improved some on the reef, with the size improving from the past two months. The larger Kings are eating Spanish Mackerel.

Dolphin fishing remains erratic, but when found, usually live baiting for Sails or other fish, have been of nice size. 20+lbs is not uncommon now rather than the “schoolies” we see earlier in the year, with bigger fish in the 30’s and 40’s expected soon.

Swordfishing remains strong when conditions permit. The weather being the main factor as to when we can get out, the boats making the trip usually have 2 or 3 fish in an evening. Always best to ask us when the time to go is…

March begins great fishing down here in Fort Lauderdale, with April and May being strong as well. We hope you can join us.

Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
954/761-8202

Our winter season is in full swing now. Repeated cold fronts pushing into our area are affecting South Florida Sportfishing in a positive way. Larger schools (we call them pods) of primarily adult sailfish are now encountered regularly offshore. These sailfish are moving south on most days with the most productive depths typically under 180’ of water. Smaller sharks and bonitos are mixed in with the increasing numbers of sailfish. Fair numbers of dolphin (Dorado) are being taken on the outer edges and just offshore of the reef line when the blows hard with the approaching fronts. Keeper sized King Mackerel have been difficult on most days, but deep water snappers have been biting well enough to bend the rods on slower fishing days. We have taken some nice grouper recently over offshore wrecks.

Sword fishing has been very good on the offshore grounds when we have the weather to go, but numerous cold fronts have had an impact on our availability of reasonable sea conditions. Some larger sharks are now being seen tailing and working on top as well as being targeted successfully with bottom baits fished off the edge of the outer reef line.

Captains,
Rick Brady and Steve Souther
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
954/761-8202

January has brought South Florida fishing some of the cooler weather that we have been waiting for. Repeated cold fronts are pushing game fish through our area more and more as we get further into our winter sport fishing mind set. Nice sized Dorado (Dolphin) are moving through just offshore and on top of our barrier reefs. Most of these fish are around 10 lbs., but some reaching the mid 20’s and higher.

Sailfish are now being encountered regularly, especially closely behind the cold fronts pushing through. The smaller Sailfish e were catching with regularity in November and December have moved on and we are now catching much larger fish. It was fun catching the smaller Sails, and we and our clients enjoyed these perfectly formed little guys, but the full grown adults are here now and offering our charters a more formidable game fish challenge.

King Mackerel fishing is erratic, with many Kings being very small. Snapper fishing is productive when current conditions allow us to target them in 300’ depths that they prefer. Some nice Warsaw Grouper are in amongst these snappers. Various species of Jacks are also being taken on the deep wrecks.

Sword fishing offshore is good, but wind conditions have limited the nights we can go, More and more “open ocean” sharks are being taken now when water temps and currents are right, as the as the early part of their annual migration has begun.

We are seeing more north wind conditions as we get deeper into the month. These conditions get us thinking about Sailfish pushing into and thru our area. We are seeing more Sails on a regular basis now. As always we are looking for tailing fish, and we are having more sightings and opportunities when conditions are good. The majority of our Sailfish have been single fish with an occasional double.

King Mackerel remain our "go to" sportfish but there are days when we really have had to work hard and spend more time to catch them. This is not uncommon for this time of year. A fair number of these South Florida kingfish are too small to keep, again not uncommon for November sportfishing. Federal law sets size and catch limits and borderline fish are released as quickly as possible to conserve our resource.

Wahoo are still being taken along the outer reef line. Juvenile Bonito (we call them bullets) are abundant on most days and are excellent baits. Deep water bottom fishing has slowed, but Mutton Snapper are increasing in number, mostly around the reef lines in water less than 150 feet.

Swordfish are available and biting. Once again this great sportfish is on our night fishing wish list. The north wind we covet for our inshore sportfishing this time of year makes for uncomfortable sea conditions on the offshore swordfish grounds, but when Mother Nature allows a window of opportunity catches are good. We must be very careful with the weather on Swordfish charters. As my dear and infamous friend Capt. Lindsey Ford says "Never trust Mother Nature...she's a bitch."

Capt. Rick Brady
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Bahia Mar Resort & Marina
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

We are experiencing the beginning of our fall baitfish migrations. Schools of Mullet, Herring, Spanish Sardines and Pilchards are traveling south of our beaches. The presence of increasing numbers of baitfish schools combined with early season weather fronts can make for enhanced fishing opportunities.

Our weekly catches are reflecting increasing numbers of sailfish. King fishing has remained productive on most days along with occasional Wahoo. Snapper fishing in deeper water is strong, especially on full moons when current conditions permit. We have been catching Warsaw and Black groupers amongst the snapper. Dolphin fishing has and will continue to be erratic.

Reef sharks have been available in shallower water under 200ft., but open ocean sharking is slow. Sword fishing can be very strong offshore when conditions are favorable. Multiple fish (Swords) nights are not uncommon.

Capt. Rick Brady
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Bahia Mar Resort & Marina
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

Here we are already into October. The calendar year is rapidly drawing to a close and to be frank we are all looking ahead to later fall and winter (as we know it) in South Florida Sportfishing. But this is October, so lets talk about October.

Kingfishing thru these first three weeks has been the best choice for putting fish in the fish box. We are seeing occasional Sailfish on our surface baits as we "target" the Kingfish on our deeper lines. We are also getting bites from Sailfish and Bonito on these deeper baits. Large schools of Black Mullet (baitfish) are moving rapidly to the south. Windy conditions are causing most of these schools of 6 to 10 inch fish to migrate south in deeper water to avoid the sandy inshore water which is result of the surf caused by stronger than normal winds. This often results in more opportunities for Sailfish, Sharks, Dolphin and hopefully over-sized King Mackerel.

We have found these gamefish on some of these bait-fish schools, but many times we have not scored. The good news is Snapper fishing remains productive. Large Wahoo are just outside the reef, and are being taken for the most part on deep baits (alive or dead). Live baiting is showing an increase in Sailfish bites as we begin to experience the frontal systems associated with the approaching Winter Sportfishing season. Shark fishing is hit or miss, but we see "tailers" moving down sea on most north wind/north current days associated with the frontal systems.

Capt. Rick Brady
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing
Bahia Mar Resort & Marina
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

Kingfishing has and continues to be very good. On most days we have had few problems catching our limit. While the majority of the Kings are less than 10 lbs., occasional catches include a few in the high teens to over 20.

We are still finding Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) in fair numbers both offshore and at the reef line. The wind and current control the areas they are being caught. Sailfish action is erratic at best. Wahoo fishing is good (when conditions are right).

Bottom fishing for deep water snappers is very good right now, with some larger groupers amongst the snappers.

Offshore nighttime Swordfishing is good, with larger fish now beginning to enter our area. Swordfishing fortunes will continue to improve as we get into our winter season. Large, open ocean sharks are difficult to target successfully now, but reef sharks are available most every day on all three reef lines as well as on inshore and offshore shipwrecks off Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Ft. Lauderdale Deep Sea Fishing Reports