Sailfish and Mahi Mahi Action Aboard the "Happy Day Today"
Capt. David Zsak
October 12, 2025
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
On October 6th, Patrick and his four friends from Texas booked a Fort Lauderdale deep sea fishing charter aboard the Happy Day Today with Top Shot Sportfishing Charters. The trip was a bachelor party adventure, and the groom-to-be had one big goal — to catch a Sailfish — while his friends were hoping to hook some colorful Mahi Mahi.
Heading out of the Fort Lauderdale Inlet, we set our sights on finding the right conditions for a productive offshore trip. As always, the key factors were blue water, strong current, clean edges, and floating debris — all excellent indicators for pelagic fish activity. We ran the boat north and south along the reef drop-off until we found a beautiful edge lined with seaweed and baitfish — the perfect setup for a Fort Lauderdale fishing charter targeting both Sailfish and Mahi Mahi.
Once we were positioned in about 130 feet of water, our first mate, Kyle, rigged and launched two kites carrying four live baits. Kite fishing in Fort Lauderdale is one of the most effective ways to target pelagic species, keeping baits swimming naturally right on the surface — an irresistible presentation for Sailfish and Mahi.
It didn't take long for the action to start. The live baits began darting nervously when three Sailfish suddenly appeared in the spread. Both short kite baits had Sailfish chasing them down. The anglers reacted perfectly — feeding the fish line, then reeling tight to set the hooks. We were hooked up to two Sailfish at once, and the scene that followed was spectacular — Sailfish leaping and tail-walking across the surface in a thrilling double hookup!
After an exciting fight, both Sailfish were brought to the boat, carefully unhooked, and released to fight another day.
With the Sailfish goal accomplished, we focused on the second target — Mahi Mahi fishing. Over the next few hours, the group caught multiple Mahi Mahi, putting on an awesome display of jumps and runs. Some fish made it to the box, while a few others shook the hooks. By mid-morning, we had five nice Mahi Mahi iced down and plenty of action still happening.
Next, we made a couple of drifts over a Fort Lauderdale shipwreck with a dead bait, hoping for a Grouper bite. Although no bites came from the wreck, our luck turned again when Kyle spotted a floating log offshore — prime structure for Mahi Mahi. We eased over, cast a few baits, and immediately hooked into more fish, adding three more Mahi Mahi to the count.
As the trip wrapped up, the crew relaxed in the air-conditioned salon, enjoying the ride back to the marina after a truly successful day on the water — 2 Sailfish released and 8 Mahi Mahi caught.
If you're looking for the best deep sea fishing charter in Fort Lauderdale, come fish with Capt. Dave Zsak aboard the Happy Day Today. Whether you're targeting Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Kingfish, Tuna, or just looking for an unforgettable offshore experience, we have you covered.
📞 Call Capt. Dave Zsak today at (954) 439-8106 or visit www.topshotfishing.com to book your Fort Lauderdale fishing charter with Top Shot Sportfishing Charters.
Target Species:
Mahi Mahi Sailfish
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