Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report – Grouper, Tuna, Mahi, Kingfish,
Capt. David Zsak
July 16, 2026
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
The summer fishing action continues to produce a wide variety of species, making deep sea fishing in Fort Lauderdale an exciting experience for anglers of every skill level. From trolling the reef for King Mackerel and Blackfin Tuna to bottom fishing for Grouper and Snapper, and even battling powerful sharks, this week delivered incredible memories aboard the Happy Day Today.
Josh from Michigan – Grouper, Kingfish & Family Shark Battle
Josh and his family from Michigan joined us for a half-day deep sea fishing charter with one goal in mind—catch whatever was biting. We left the dock at first light with the old saying, "the early bird gets the worm," and headed straight to one of our favorite sunken shipwrecks.
Using fresh-cut bait on the wreck, it didn't take long before the rod doubled over. After a strong fight from the bottom, Josh landed a beautiful Black Grouper, a fantastic way to begin the morning.
With the first objective accomplished, we switched over to trolling the reef in 150 to 250 feet of water using our spread of deep planner lines and surface lines. The action stayed steady as we caught three King Mackerel, three Bonita, and even added a hard-fighting Barracuda to the day's catch.
The family wanted to finish the trip with something big, so we changed tactics once again. We rigged three large rods with fresh dead baits in 400 feet of water, allowing the scent trail from the blood and oils to drift naturally down the reef. It didn't take long before one of the reels screamed as a large shark picked up the bait.
Everyone in the family took turns fighting the shark, making for an unforgettable experience before we safely released it boatside. It was the perfect ending to a successful day of Fort Lauderdale fishing.
Mark from Georgia – Blackfin Tuna, Snapper & Shark Action
Mark and his family enjoyed near-perfect fishing conditions with light northeast winds and a gentle north current. We started trolling the reef in 200 to 300 feet of water with our standard spread of two deep planner lines and four surface lines.
The deep lines produced first, and we quickly boated two beautiful Blackfin Tuna. As we worked slightly shallower water around 200 feet, the rods stayed busy with two King Mackerel and two Bonita.
With everyone enjoying the variety, the family decided to try some bottom fishing. We anchored over one of our productive snapper spots while keeping one heavy rod soaking nearby in case a Grouper or Shark wandered through.
The bottom fishing paid off with two delicious Mutton Snappers and a Vermilion Snapper, enough for an outstanding fresh seafood dinner.
Then the excitement really began.
The heavy rod suddenly started screaming as line poured off the reel. Moments later the rod buried over and the fight was on. After an exciting battle, the family brought a large shark alongside the boat where we safely removed the hook and watched it swim away strong.
Kimberly from South Florida – Fast Bonita Action & Snapper Dinner
Kimberly and her son joined us for a relaxing day of deep sea fishing in Fort Lauderdale under calm seas with light winds and current.
We began trolling the reef with our usual combination of planner lines and surface rods. The Bonita were feeding aggressively and were crushing both our Sea Witch lures and fishing spoons.
By the end of the trolling session we had caught five Bonita, along with a King Mackerel and a Cero Mackerel.
Midway through the trip we switched over to bottom fishing using fresh-cut bait on one of our deeper snapper spots. The action remained steady as they boxed five Vermilion Snappers, giving them plenty of fresh fish to enjoy back home.
Christian from New York – Amberjack, Blackfin Tuna & Mahi Mahi
Christian and his son from New York wanted to experience everything that Fort Lauderdale fishing has to offer.
We began the morning at the sea buoy catching live Blue Runners. Chumming around the buoy brought the baitfish right to the boat, and within about fifteen minutes father and son had caught several lively runners that would become our next baits.
Our next stop was a nearby shipwreck.
We dropped one of the freshly caught Blue Runners to the bottom using an 80-pound monofilament leader. Almost instantly the bait was crushed. After an exhausting battle, Christian landed a full-grown Amberjack, one of the hardest fighting fish that lives around our local wrecks.
We made another pass over the wreck, but it appeared we'd already caught the biggest bruiser hanging around.
Next it was time to head offshore in search of Mahi Mahi.
The trolling spread hadn't been out long before Christian's son hooked into a beautiful 20-pound Blackfin Tuna, which quickly found its way into the fish box.
Soon afterward we spotted birds diving in the distance—a great sign that bait and predators were nearby. We pulled in the spread, ran to the birds, reset the lines, and immediately hooked into three colorful Mahi Mahi.
For several exciting minutes the cockpit turned into what we affectionately call controlled chaos, but we successfully landed all three dolphin before heading back toward the inlet. It was an incredible trip filled with nonstop action and a fantastic variety of species.
Sophie from Illinois – Face to Face with a Hammerhead
Sophie, a horse veterinarian from Illinois, joined us for a memorable fishing charter in Fort Lauderdale.
We started the morning trolling the reef where a purple Sea Witch lure proved to be the hot bait, producing two Bonita and two King Mackerel.
Looking for an even bigger challenge, we switched over to shark fishing.
As the minutes passed we began wondering if we'd get our opportunity. Then suddenly everyone spotted a huge dorsal fin gliding across the surface only twenty feet behind one of our baits.
A massive Hammerhead Shark slowly circled the bait three or four times. It was hungry, but cautious.
The anticipation built with every pass until the Hammerhead finally committed, exploding on the bait and making an incredible run that peeled hundreds of feet of line from the reel.
After an exciting battle, we carefully brought the shark alongside the boat, removed the hook, and watched this magnificent predator swim away healthy and strong. Encounters like that are what make deep sea fishing in Fort Lauderdale so unforgettable.
Book Your Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charter
Whether you're interested in catching Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, King Mackerel, Amberjack, Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, or Sharks, every trip is different and every day offers a new adventure. Our experienced crew fishes year-round and will customize your trip based on what's biting and what you want to catch.
To book your Fort Lauderdale fishing charter aboard the Happy Day Today, our comfortable 52-foot Hatteras sportfishing yacht, contact Top Shot Sportfishing Charters.
Capt. Dave Zsak
📞 (954) 439-8106
🌐 TopShotFishing.com
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Target Species:
Mahi Mahi, Snapper, Grouper, King Fish, Shark
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