Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing 11/2/26 Fort Lauderdale Report
Capt. William Daley
November 2, 2026
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report | Don't Tell Mom Sportfishing
Fall fishing is really coming together here in Fort Lauderdale, and despite some challenging weather over the past week, the fishing has been excellent! We didn't get out as often as we would have liked due to some rough seas, but the trips we did run produced some fantastic action. Mahi-Mahi have been the highlight, with some great catches on even our shorter four- and five-hour charters.
Fall Mahi-Mahi Fishing Is on Fire!
If people ask me when the best time to come fishing in Fort Lauderdale is, September, October, and November are always at the top of my list. Fall is one of our favorite seasons for fishing, and it's also a quieter time for tourism, which can make it a great opportunity to enjoy a trip and find better hotel rates.
The Mahi fishing lately has been outstanding. We've been catching them on most of our trips, including shorter charters, which is especially exciting because Mahi can sometimes require a longer run during the summer months.
Right now, we're finding them primarily in 400–500 feet of water, just two to three miles offshore and well within our state waters. We're also seeing some excellent quality fish. Fall typically brings larger Mahi than we see during the summer, when smaller fish tend to be more prevalent.
As always, finding that beautiful blue water is key. We've been locating small weed lines that hold bait and attract all kinds of life. Along with the Mahi, we've been seeing small Bar Jacks and other activity around these areas.
Our go-to Mahi presentation has been Sea Witches rigged with Bonito strips, trolled on the surface. We also get bites on our planer rods, and when we find a school of fish, the action can really heat up. It's exciting fishing and a great opportunity to put some delicious Mahi in the cooler!
Sailfish Are Starting to Show Up
We've also been seeing some Sailfish closer to the reef, generally around 120 feet of water, depending on the conditions and where the blue water begins. As we move toward winter, we expect to see more of these beautiful fish showing up.
Sailfish absolutely love Sea Witches with Bonito strips, especially when trolled farther back in our spread. One of the most important things when targeting Sailfish is keeping your eyes on the spread and watching for the fish.
Sailfish often approach the bait and strike it with their bill before committing. If you see one following your bait, reeling it away can trigger a reaction bite. If the bait doesn't appear to be moving naturally, the fish may lose interest and disappear. It's a really exciting visual style of fishing, and paying attention can make all the difference!
Blackfin Tuna and King Mackerel
Blackfin Tuna have also been making appearances. They're not an everyday catch right now, but we've been seeing them during the early morning hours when the light is low, particularly around wrecks in approximately 200 feet of water.
The best approach for these Tuna has been smaller presentations, including squid dinks and smaller spoons. When they're feeding, these smaller baits can make all the difference.
We've also seen a few King Mackerel around, generally in depths ranging from 130 to 190 feet. It's always nice to have these excellent game fish in the mix!
Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Crevalle Jacks
In shallower water, especially along the reef and even closer to shore, we've been seeing plenty of Mackerel. Most have been Spanish Mackerel, along with some juvenile King Mackerel.
Spanish Mackerel are a lot of fun on light tackle, and they're excellent eating. They're fantastic for smoked fish dip, and I personally enjoy them fresh as well. While they're not the biggest fish we catch, they're great fighters and a fun way to put plenty of fish in the cooler.
We've also caught several Bluefish trolling in shallower water, both on the surface and on the planer rods. Growing up on Long Island, I used to catch tons of Bluefish, so it's always fun to run into them down here in South Florida. They're incredibly hard fighters with razor-sharp teeth, so you definitely have to be careful handling them!
Crevalle Jacks have also made an appearance, adding even more variety to an already exciting week of fishing.
A Birthday Trip and a Massive Amberjack
One of the other highlights this week was a six-hour birthday charter booked by Felipe, birthday boy's brother at the last minute. We were able to put together an excellent trip with plenty of Mahi-Mahi for everyone to take home.
We also headed out to a deep wreck in more than 300 feet of water and hooked into a massive Amberjack! This was quite a thrill for everyone aboard. We safely released the fish, and the group went home with plenty of fresh fish and some fantastic memories. They were absolutely thrilled with the trip!
Looking Ahead
Small Bonitas, Ballyhoo, and other baitfish have been showing up, and the fall fishing is really starting to come together. Between the Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Tuna, Mackerel, and the occasional big Amberjack, there's plenty to be excited about right now.
Of course, fall weather can be unpredictable. We had to cancel or reschedule a few trips due to rough seas, and while our boat is built to handle challenging conditions, safety always comes first. We appreciate our guests' understanding when Mother Nature has other plans.
The good news is that when conditions line up, the fishing has been absolutely outstanding, and we're looking forward to plenty more great days on the water.
If you've been thinking about booking a Fort Lauderdale fishing charter, now is a fantastic time to get out here. Whether you're looking for Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Tuna, or just a fun day catching fish with family and friends, we'd love to have you aboard.
Call or text 954-522-9399, or book online at www.donttellmomsportfishing.com.
Let's get out on the water and take advantage of this incredible fall fishing!
Tight lines,
Capt. Will Daley
More Fishing Reports:
