Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing 10/12/26 Fort Lauderdale Report
Capt. William Daley
October 12, 2026
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
Weekly Fishing Report | Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
It's been a little while since our last fishing report! We took a short vacation during what can sometimes be a quieter time of year, but we're back and looking forward to getting out on the water. The good news is that the fishing has actually been really good lately, and we've had some great catches to share.
Massive Amberjacks on Deep Wrecks
The deep wrecks have really come alive! We've been dropping live baits down to deeper wrecks and hooking into some massive Amberjacks. These fish put up an incredible fight, making for some serious battles and a great experience for everyone aboard.
Sailfish Action and an Exciting First
We've also had several Sailfish around, and trolling has been producing some exciting opportunities. On one memorable trip, our guest Eric caught his very first Sailfish!
Captain Dave was running the boat in my absence when his high line went off and started peeling drag. He handed the rod down to Zach, cleared the other lines, and got ready for an exciting battle. Eric was thrilled to catch his first Sailfish, making it a trip to remember!
We also landed a beautiful Wahoo recently, adding another great catch to the mix.
King Mackerel Are Showing Up
The King Mackerel bite has really picked up, and we've been seeing some excellent action. Cero Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel have been active in shallower water, while moving deeper has been producing King Mackerel.
One of our most effective techniques has been trolling planer baits rigged with Bonito or Mullet strips. Mullet strips are especially productive this time of year as large schools of Mullet migrate along the beach and out toward the reef.
If you spot a big school of Mullet, it's worth paying attention. Mackerel often follow these baitfish, and finding an active school can lead to some excellent fishing.
Mahi-Mahi and Blackfin Tuna
Mahi-Mahi have also been around, particularly on days when the wind picks up and conditions get a little choppier. Fall can be a fantastic time for Mahi fishing, so keep an eye out for birds, baitfish, and areas of beautiful water. You don't always have to run far to find them.
In fact, during the fall, Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, and Mackerel can all be found feeding on Ballyhoo in as little as 30 feet of water. Sometimes, your best bet is to work along the beach, looking for baitfish skipping across the surface, schools of bait getting attacked, or birds diving into the action.
The Blackfin Tuna bite has also made a welcome comeback. After being relatively quiet, we're seeing plenty more Blackfin Tuna, with some Skipjack Tuna mixed in. It's great news for anglers hoping to bring home fresh Tuna for dinner.
The best approach has been using smaller presentations, such as squid spoons and small trolling lures known as dinks. The bite often picks up early in the morning or later in the afternoon, but when the Tuna are feeding aggressively, it's not uncommon to limit out.
For the best action, try depths between 200 and 450 feet. Work the wrecks, and keep an eye out for baitfish, birds, and Tuna feeding on the surface.
Bottom Fishing and Live Bait
Bottom fishing has slowed slightly, but Snapper are still around, and we expect Mutton Snapper to remain a good option.
We're also seeing fewer of the larger Bonitas, while tons of smaller Bonitas are starting to show up. These make excellent live bait, and our huge live well allows us to keep them healthy and ready to fish.
Larger predators love eating these smaller Bonitas, including King Mackerel, Barracuda, Wahoo, and Sailfish. We're looking forward to doing more slow-trolling with live Bonitas as they become increasingly available.
Looking Ahead
The weather has been beautiful overall, and the fishing is giving us plenty to be excited about.
As we move further into fall, we expect things to continue heating up. While fall can be a quieter time for tourism, it's one of the best times of year to get out fishing.
Whether you're looking to battle a massive Amberjack on a deep wreck, catch your first Sailfish, or bring home some fresh Mackerel or Tuna, we'd love to have you aboard.
Call or text us at 954-522-9399, or book online at www.donttellmomsportfishing.com. Let's get you out on the water and make some memories!
Tight lines,
Capt. Will Daley
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