Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing 8/21/26 Fort Lauderdale Report
Capt. William Daley
August 21, 2026
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
WEEKLY FISHIING REPORT | DON'T TELL MOM SPORTFISHING
This past week, everything came together aboard the Don't Tell Mom. The weather was about as beautiful as we could ask for, and the fishing was excellent with an incredible variety of species and several truly unforgettable catches.
Conditions remained fairly stable throughout the week. Most mornings started with a light west wind before shifting east and increasing slightly to around 5–7 mph by midday. We had a nice north current on most days, and while the temperatures got hot by the afternoon, a little breeze and occasional cloud cover helped keep things comfortable. It was also unusually dry for this time of year, making for an absolutely beautiful week on the water.
The early west wind also helped keep the Sargassum grass much more manageable than it has been in recent weeks. While the wind often shifted east later in the day, the seaweed was still far less of a nuisance, making it much easier to troll and cover water effectively.
A 100-POUND TARPON CLOSE TO THE BEACH:
One of the biggest highlights of the week came at the end of what had already been a successful trip. We had some time remaining, a great supply of live bait, and decided to slowly drag a few baits close to the beach.
It didn't take long.
A massive Tarpon absolutely inhaled the bait furthest from the boat, creating an incredible explosion on the surface. What followed was roughly 20 minutes of screaming runs, massive jumps, and one unforgettable battle. We eventually brought the fish boat side, estimated at around 100 pounds, took a few quick photos, and safely released it to fight another day.
We don't get many opportunities to target Tarpon on our trips because they tend to spend much of their time farther inshore, so catching a fish of that caliber was especially exciting.
TWO SAILFISH IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER:
We also caught two Sailfish this week and had shots at several more. Seeing Sailfish during the summer is somewhat uncommon, making these catches a very welcome surprise.
The first fish ate a green Flathead dink pulled from the rigger in 150 feet of water along a beautiful blue-water edge. The second ate a blue Mylar Sea Witch paired with a Bonita strip from the rigger in 120 feet of water.
Sailfish can be challenging to hook because they often strike and stun their prey with their bill before attempting to eat it. Some fish appear to be more curious than hungry, so making the most of every opportunity is critical. Our crew was ready when these fish appeared in the spread, and we were able to convert both opportunities into unforgettable catches.
Once hooked, both Sailfish put on spectacular displays. One made a long, blistering run inshore while the other headed straight north. Both jumped multiple times before eventually coming boat side for photos and a safe release.
Those are the moments that our guests never forget—and they're exactly why we love what we do.
SHARK FISHING WAS ON FIRE:
It didn't stop with the Tarpon and Sailfish. Shark fishing was excellent this week, with a great variety of species making appearances.
We caught a big Dusky Shark, a Sandbar Shark, a giant Lemon Shark, and two Nurse Sharks. We were absolutely on fire when it came to big-fish action, giving several of our guests the opportunity to battle some serious predators.
The wrecks also produced, with Amberjacks and Barracudas coming aboard, and we even caught the Dusky Shark while fishing a live bait on a wreck in more than 200 feet of water.
BONITAS, KINGS, TUNA AND MORE:
The Bonitas bit well throughout the week, providing plenty of consistent action. We also saw some smaller King Mackerel, and while it has been a quieter-than-normal year for Kingfish so far, it was encouraging to see more of them around.
Blackfin Tuna have remained somewhat scarce, which is typical for this time of year, but we still managed to catch two smaller fish along with one nice Blackfin weighing more than 12 pounds.
Snapper fishing slowed slightly this week, but we expect that bite to improve again as the moon phase changes.
Mahi-Mahi have remained somewhat scarce closer to shore, although longer trips that allow us more time to search farther offshore have produced some fish. Finding Mahi this time of year can sometimes be a feast-or-famine situation. You can spend considerable time searching offshore and find very little, which is why we often focus closer to shore where there is plenty of bait and a more consistent mix of pelagic species.
That said, we're always willing to venture farther out when guests specifically want to target Mahi and understand that fishing is never guaranteed.
DEEP BAITS WERE THE KEY:
One pattern that really stood out this week was the effectiveness of deeper presentations. Whether we were trolling, wreck fishing, or bottom fishing, most of the action came on baits fished below the surface.
With the hot summer temperatures, this is a pattern we're very familiar with. Aside from the Sailfish and Tarpon, getting our baits down in the water column made a noticeable difference and produced the majority of our bites.
Knowing when to change techniques and where to position our baits is a major part of successful charter fishing. Conditions change constantly, and we'll always use our knowledge and experience to give our guests the best possible opportunity to catch fish.
Fishing is never guaranteed, but you can always count on us to put in the effort, adapt to the conditions, and work hard to make your trip as fun and successful as possible.
LOOKING AHEAD:
There is plenty to be excited about as we move toward fall. The Bonita run has not fully arrived yet, and we're still expecting more of those hard-fighting fish to move into the area. The King Mackerel bite should also continue to improve as we transition into the fall fishing season.
And as this week proved, there are still opportunities for some incredible surprises, including rare summertime Sailfish and trophy fish that can turn an ordinary fishing trip into a memory of a lifetime.
The fish are biting, and there are no signs of the action slowing down.
Our busy season is beginning to wind down, so we currently have some availability in the coming weeks. If you've been thinking about getting out on the water, now is a great time to join us.
Whether you're looking for fresh fish for the dinner table, fast-paced action, or the opportunity to battle a trophy Tarpon, Sailfish, Shark, or something else entirely, we'd love to have you aboard the Don't Tell Mom.
DON'T WAIT-BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY!
Visit donttellmomsportfishing.com or call or text 954-522-9399 for reservations.
Tight lines,
Capt. Will
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