Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing 7/29/26 Fort Lauderdale Report
Capt. William Daley
July 29, 2026
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
Weekly Fishing Report | Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing – South Florida
This past week was a perfect example of how quickly fishing conditions can change in South Florida. We started the week battling heavy Sargassum grass, which made trolling challenging and kept the fishing a little slower than we'd like. Fortunately, as the week progressed, the grass cleared dramatically, and a strong north current pushed in beautiful, clean blue water. Once that happened, everything seemed to come alive.
The trolling bite improved each day as we worked closer to Wednesday's full moon. Bonitas were by far the most consistent action, providing nonstop excitement and plenty of hard-fighting fish. It's not uncommon to hook multiple Bonitas at once when they're feeding aggressively, and we're expecting even larger schools to arrive in the coming weeks.
Mixed in with the Bonitas were Wahoo, King Mackerel, Mahi-Mahi, and even several Sailfish. While Sailfish aren't the species most anglers associate with the middle of summer, it's certainly not unheard of when conditions line up, and it was exciting to see several fish caught this week. We also had a couple of excellent Mahi days, while Blackfin Tuna slowed down compared to previous weeks but continue to make occasional appearances.
Our most productive trolling presentations were Sea Witches rigged with Bonita strips and flat dinks on the surface, while smaller Blue Diamond spoons fished on the long planer produced the majority of our deeper bites. Several of the Wahoo and Sailfish also fell for the Bonita strip and Sea Witch combination.
Bottom fishing continues to be one of the most dependable options this summer. Mangrove Snapper have remained very consistent, and we're also seeing some quality Mutton Snapper mixed in. Live Ballyhoo fished behind the chum slick has been especially productive, and we've also been catching plenty of Blue Runners and Speedos for live bait. Fishing those baits on the deeper wrecks has produced some excellent Amberjacks and several beautiful Grouper.
The trophy fishing has truly been the highlight of the past week. Rather than one unforgettable catch, we've seen a steady parade of big fish. We tagged and safely released a massive Scalloped Hammerhead Shark measuring over nine feet, landed an enormous male Nurse Shark stretching over eight feet, released a beautiful Lemon Shark, and just today capped off the week with a giant Goliath Grouper. Every one of these fish provided unforgettable battles and reminded us why summertime is such an incredible season for anglers looking to tangle with true giants. All of the sharks were released healthy, and the Hammerhead was successfully tagged before swimming away.
Conditions remained favorable for much of the week with light south to southeast winds and a strong north current early on before the current eased over the last couple of days. The cleaner water made a tremendous difference, and after weeks of fighting heavy seaweed, it was a welcome change for both the crew and our guests.
Looking ahead, August is traditionally one of our favorite months of the year. We expect to see even more Bonitas moving into the area, bringing the fast-paced multiple-hookup action they're famous for. Mahi-Mahi should remain consistent, King Mackerel numbers should continue to build, and there will still be plenty of opportunities to battle trophy sharks, Goliath Grouper, Amberjacks, and other hard-fighting species. Whether you're hoping to fill the cooler with fresh Snapper or chase the fish of a lifetime, there's something for everyone on the water right now.
August also tends to be a quieter travel month, making it a great time to visit Fort Lauderdale with better availability on hotels and flights while enjoying some of the best summer fishing of the year.
We still have several openings available throughout August, and we'd love the opportunity to get you out on the water. Whether you're an experienced angler or it's your very first fishing trip, we'll work hard to give you an unforgettable day on the ocean.
Visit www.donttellmomsportfishing.com or call or text 954-522-9399 to book your charter today.
Tight lines,
Capt. Will Daley
Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing 🎣
954-522-9399
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