Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing 6/18/26 Fort Lauderdale Report
Capt. William Daley
June 18, 2026
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
Weekly Fishing Report | Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing – South Florida
This week's fishing report is all about one incredible catch. The highlight of the week was a massive 9'2" Scalloped Hammerhead Shark that provided one of the most memorable battles we've had in quite some time.
The fish was hooked during one of our 4-hour shared fishing trips and put on an absolute show. After more than an hour of fighting the shark, we managed to get it boat-side multiple times, only to watch it make another powerful run and take back hundreds of feet of line. Eventually, we got the fish under control, tagged it, and safely released it to fight another day. Congratulations to Chad from Texas on landing such an amazing trophy fish. It's not every day you catch a shark of that caliber, and it will undoubtedly be a fishing memory he'll never forget.
Outside of the Hammerhead action, fishing remained very productive throughout the week. One of the biggest improvements was the significant reduction in Sargassum grass. The cleaner water made trolling much easier on both the crew and the equipment and allowed us to cover water more effectively.
The best trolling bait this week was a 3.5" Drone Spoon fished on the long planer. We also had success pulling Ballyhoo and Bonita strips both on planers and on surface baits.
The Bonita bite really turned on this week, providing steady action and plenty of hard-fighting fish. Mixed in with the Bonita were Blackfin Tuna, King Mackerel, and the occasional Mahi-Mahi, keeping anglers guessing what might show up next.
The Yellowtail Snapper bite remained very consistent, with a few nice Mutton Snappers mixed in as well. For anglers looking to bring home fresh fish for the dinner table, the bottom fishing continues to be a reliable option.
Current remained fairly light for most of the week before a stronger north current developed over the last few days. Winds were generally light out of the south and southeast, creating comfortable fishing conditions for most trips.
Wreck fishing slowed down slightly compared to previous weeks, although we did manage to catch a nice Nurse Shark that provided plenty of excitement for our anglers.
Looking ahead, Mahi fishing should continue to improve as summer patterns develop. We also expect to continue seeing good numbers of Bonita and Blackfin Tuna, while the Snapper bite should remain strong. Weather conditions look favorable in the days ahead, and if the seaweed continues to stay manageable, fishing should remain consistent across a variety of techniques.
Whether you're looking to put fresh Snapper or Mahi on the dinner table, battle a trophy shark, or simply enjoy an action-packed day on the water, now is a great time to go fishing in South Florida.
Don't wait—book your trip today!
Visit www.donttellmomsportfishing.com or call or text 954-522-9399 to reserve your charter.
Tight lines,
Capt. Will Daley
Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing 🎣
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