Fort Lauderdale is one of the best fishing destinations in the state of Florida. Knowing the best seasons and times to come fish this great area can make a huge difference in your fishing success.

The best time to fish Fort Lauderdale is from April to September. This is when many of the species are at their most active points. With that being said, because of the warm waters of the Atlantic, Fort Lauderdale has great fishing all year round.

Species	Best Season to Fish in Fort Lauderdale Waters
Barracuda	Year-round very good fishing. May & June are only down seasons.
Grouper	May through December are best for grouper fishing.
Sailfish	September through November & January through March are the best months.
Swordfish	August through November are the peak months for fishing.
Mahi Mahi	Spring & Fall are the best seasons for Mahi Mahi fishing.
Tarpon	May-July are the best months.

In this article, we are going to break down some of the popular species found in these waters as well as the best times of the year to head to the Gold Coast.

Best time to fish Fort Lauderdale

Because of its closeness to some of the deepest waters of the Atlantic, fishing in Fort Lauderdale is excellent most all year round. That being said, the best time to fish Fort Lauderdale is from June to September. This is the time of the year when the baitfish and other prey are most active, drawing in tons of sports fish and driving them to a feeding frenzy. 

Summer is best, too, due to water clarity. With the exception of the times after a storm, the waters around Fort Lauderdale allow you to see the fish clearly, making fishing a little bit easier. Plus, with the weather the hottest, the water temps are comfortable for many of the larger species.

Recommended Fishing Charters in Fort Lauderdale

These Fort Lauderdale-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Type of Fishing Offered
Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing	Offshore & Big Game
Captain Eden – Great White (West Palm Beach)	Inshore & Offshore
Fishing Guide Capt Tom Hinterschied (Pompano Beach)	Inshore, Offshore, Big Game
Twysted Lyfe Charters (Miami)	Offshore & Big Game
Benny’s Book a Mate & Fishing Charter (Pompano Beach)	Inshore, Offshore, Big Game

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Florida, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Fort Lauderdale Species Breakdown

In this section we’re going to break down some of the most popular species you’ll find when fishing in Fort Lauderdale. 

Snook

The snook has to be at the top of the list for any fly angler looking to fish in Fort Lauderdale. These hard-hitting fish are great not only because they’re fun to catch but because they are great to eat as well, should you be looking to fill your dinner table. Snook is one of the few truly year-round species as they winter in the canals of the city.

That being said, the best time to fish for the snook is during the summer as many of the bigger of the species will come in to spawn. The best time of day is during the morning when they are looking to feed. 

Snapper

Another year-round fish, the snapper is a favorite among anglers in Fort Lauderdale because they are to prominent. Plus, there are several species of snapper available, including yellowtails and Cubera.

This aggressive, delicious fish can be caught near the reefs and other underwater structure. The best time to fish for snapper is the Spring and summer months, though they can be caught in droves all year round. 

Tarpon

Many come to Fort Lauderdale for excellent tarpon fishing. The peak season for tarpon fishing in Fort Lauderdale is during the months of April to June. You’ll find them inshore and where it’s not uncommon for them to reach 100 pounds with many being caught each year double that. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in Florida waters, please check out this helpful guide I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Delray Beach, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Sailfish

This is the ultimate sports fishing species no matter where you go in the world. Nothing beats the drama which comes along with landing a sailfish and no other fish is as beautiful when jumping out of the water.

The peak season for sailfish is in the winter from January to March. And, as the waters get deep fast off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, sailfish fishing is great on any length of charter trip. 

Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi, or dolphin fish, are found all around Fort Lauderdale. The peak season for this flat-headed, hard-hitting fish is from April to September and it’s not uncommon for anglers to land double digits in a single trip.

They love the deep waters of the Atlantic, especially the deep waters off Fort Lauderdale, and prey fish are available in large numbers. This means fishing with live bait is best when going for the mahi mahi. 

For a complete breakdown of the best locations for mahi mahi in Florida, please read this helpful article I wrote.

Bass (Freshwater)

Deep offshore fishing isn’t all that’s popular in Fort Lauderdale. Peacock bass have become prominent in many of the canals around the city and peak during the summer months.

This makes for an excellent side trip to a deep water fishing expedition. Largemouth bass are great here, too, and peak during the winter months. 

If you are fishing in nearby Miami, please check out this helpful article breaking down the best times to fish Miami. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Stuart, please check out this helpful guide I wrote.

Best time of day to Fish Fort Lauderdale

The best time of day to fish Fort Lauderdale is during the morning hours. This is when most species, both inshore and offshore, are at their highest activity levels. Morning is even better when fishing during the high tide of the summer. 

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic to create your combo.

Fort Lauderdale Fishing & Tidal Impacts

The tides affect most of the fishing spots in Fort Lauderdale as the tidal changes push or pull in many of the prey species of fish.

During high tide, many species come up to shallower waters to feed as baitfish are prominent and active. As the tides change, the bigger fish retreat back to the deeper waters. The best tide to fish Fort Lauderdale is during high tide. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch grouper in Florida waters, please check out this helpful guide I wrote.

Top Fishing Spots in Fort Lauderdale

Reefs

There are more than 100 reefs in and around Fort Lauderdale. Though you’ll need to rent a boat or book a charter, you’ll find several species calling the reefs home.

This includes snapper, mackerel, groupers, and amberjack. The best season to fish the reefs is during the summer months. 

Intercoastal waterway

Tarpon is the most popular species when fishing here and peak during the spring to early summer months. They are great to fish here during that time as they are easily seen.

Others like snook, trout, and even redfish can be caught here as well. There are some areas you can fish from the shore, though getting a boat will offer a chance at the larger fish. 

Inlets 

The inlet around Fort Lauderdale is a great time to fish, especially during the morning and high tide. Tarpon, along with snook and cobia, love to hunt in the inlet during the morning as the baitfish are extremely active during the tide changes in the shallow waters. 

Anglin’s Pier

If you’re looking for a chance at some popular deepwater species but don’t want to book a charter, fishing from the pier is a great option. If doing this, you’ll want to try and go in the morning as this is when many of the species come to the shallow waters to feed. You can get some great permit, bluefish, and even king mackerel right from the pier. 

Gulf Stream

This is where the big fish hang out. The Gulf Stream comes only 10 miles from the shores of Fort Lauderdale, giving easy access to the large species.

The best time to fish the Gulf Stream is during the spring and summer months, though you can find large fish here all year round.

Storms & Fort Lauderdale Fishing

Fort Lauderdale has been hit hard by many tropical storms and hurricanes in the past. This wreaks havoc on the fishing in the area. Not only are many of the species sensitive to the changes in barometric pressure, which drives them to the deep waters, but the larger storms can also alter the landscape of the water permanently, changing where the fish hang out. 

As the storms roll in, the fish tend to feed more as they know the decrease in pressure signifies their prey will be moving out of the area.

This makes the day before a larger storm the best time to fish, though it can also be the most dangerous, so use good judgment when deciding to go out. 

Rainstorms can also affect your fishing trip and can be a common occurrence during the summer months. The rain tends to bring increased activity, but also lower visibility, making it harder to see the fish to know where to cast when fishing shallower waters. Rain, however, doesn’t cause many problems for deep-sea fishing. 

Is winter fishing good or bad in Fort Lauderdale?

Because of its location in the deep, consistently warm waters of the Gulf Stream, and warm climate, winter brings some great species to the waters of Fort Lauderdale.

This includes the beautiful sailfish and cobia. Barracuda fishing during the winter is also a great time to target what’s known as one of the most aggressive fish in the water.

Night Fishing in Fort Lauderdale

Night fishing during the summer is one of the most exciting times to go fishing. This is especially the case during a full moon. The added light gives increased visibility and raises the activity levels on fish normally dormant at night.

When fishing outside of a full moon at night, fish closer to piers and artificial light sources to increase your chance at success. Snapper are great to fish for at night, along with grouper. 

Shore/Surf Fishing in Ft. Lauderdale

Shore fishing in Fort Lauderdale is great for those not looking to get out on a fishing charter. This is especially true on Anglin’s Pier. The best time to shore fish is during the dawn hours as high tide is going out. This is when the fish are more active closer to shore and in the shallow waters.

The best season for shore fishing is in the summertime. Night fishing from the shore during the summer is excellent as high tide is at its highest during July and August. This makes for a fishing experience you won’t soon forget. 

Booking Charters in Fort Lauderdale

For many of the species found in Fort Lauderdale, you’ll need to launch out into the deep waters of the Atlantic. For many, this means booking a fishing charter. For someone who’s never booked a fishing charter before, it can seem like a complicated process.

In this section of the article, we’re going to break down when the best time to book a charter is, what time of day is best, and what length of trip you’ll want to plan for. 

Best Season to Go

The best season to book a charter in Fort Lauderdale is going to be the summer season. This is the peak time for many species, including Mahi Mahi, Tarpon, Blue Marlin, and many others. This is also the busiest tourist season in the area, meaning the competition for charters can be intense. That being said, summer offers the best fishing in the area. 

If you’re looking for a season often overlooked, the winter might be a great time for you to fish Fort Lauderdale. There are some species, such as the barracuda and sailfish, as well as several species of shark, which are insanely active during the winter.

That makes the months of December through February a great time to fish without a ton of competition. This might also give you the best value in a charter as many charters close during the summer due to the lack of demand. Those who stay open often have some of the best rates during the winter. 

Morning Vs. Afternoon

This is going to be a question that comes up when deciding on what time of the day to start a half-day charter. Both times are great for fishing but let’s break these times down to see which is best. 

Morning

The early hours of the morning are when the fish are most active, especially during the summer. When the waters warm up during the day, many species seek out the cooler waters of the deep. So, for those fish that like to feed in shallower waters, the morning hours provide cool water and plenty of food.

One con to going in the morning, however, is this is the busiest time of the day for many of the prime fishing spots. It’s not uncommon to see a dozen charters going for the same spot each morning. 

Afternoon

Afternoon, especially closer to dusk, is also a great time to go fishing. If you’re going into the deepest waters of the Atlantic, the afternoon time is quite possibly when the greatest number of fish will be there. This is especially true during low tide as the tidal change pushes the fish to deeper water; low tide is often around the afternoon hours. 

A con to the afternoon, though, is the heat. You’ll have to be prepared for fighting the heat as you fight the fish. Many charters will provide drinks but you’ll want to have the proper clothing and sunscreen to protect yourself. 

Length of Charter

There are three main lengths you’ll find when booking a charter for fishing Fort Lauderdale. These include half-day, full-day, and multi-day trips.

Half-day

Half-day trips, often 4-6 hours, provide a great way for anglers who don’t have all day to spend on the water. With the deep waters of the Atlantic Coast being so close to the shore, a half-day trip gives you plenty of time to land multiple fish and have a great day on the water without having to stay out all day.

However, there are some species, such as the blue marlin and sailfish which may take hours to find and land one fish. That means a half-day trip is not going to give many opportunities for some species. 

Full-Day

A full-day trip is great for both novice and expert anglers as it allows you to go after some of the most sought-after species or land double-digit fish in a single trip.

This can range anywhere from 8 to 12 hours, depending on the targeted species, and the charters often provide most of the supplies you will need. Be sure to check with your charter prior to the launch date to be sure you are prepared. 

Multi-day

Though common in other parts of the world where the fishing is combined with a cruise-style experience, the multi-day charters in Fort Lauderdale consist of targeting a different species each day but returning to the docks each night. This is great for the group looking to have an all-around fishing-filled trip and want to land several of the top sports fish species. 

For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Boca Raton, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Jupiter, please check out this helpful article. To learn how good Fort Lauderdale fishing is, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Key Biscayne, check out this helpful guide. To learn the best fishing charters in Fort Lauderdale, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best weather conditions for Miami fishing, check out this helpful guide.