Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The Gulf Stream is
4 to 7 miles
off your hotel.
Four to seven miles out, depending on the time of year — that is how far the Gulf Stream sits off this stretch of coast. Blue water sits closer to shore here than almost anywhere in the continental US, and Captain Scott Hall has fished it for 35 years.
- VESSEL
- 34′ CONTENDER ST
- POWER
- 2 × 300HP YAMAHA
- MAX
- 6 ANGLERS
The water
Why the fishing is this good, this close
Most offshore fishing starts with a long, expensive run. Off Fort Lauderdale it does not. The continental shelf drops away sharply just outside the beach, and the Gulf Stream — the warm, fast-moving river of water that pushes pelagic fish up the Florida coast — runs nearer to land here than at almost any other point in the continental United States.
How far out that edge sits depends on the time of year. The Gulf Stream is not a fixed line on a chart — it shifts with the season, running as close as four miles off the beach and as far as seven. Either way it is a short run, not an hour-long one.
The practical result is simple: you are fishing in water hundreds of feet deep within minutes of leaving the inlet. That means more time with lines in the water and less time watching the shoreline disappear. It is also why the same reef edge holds sailfish in winter and mahi in spring.
Every trip is run by Captain Scott Hall, who has been fishing these waters since he was a boy. Full trip lengths and pricing are on our charters and rates page. Coming from further north? We also run Boca Raton charters, and trips from our home port in Pompano Beach.
- Out to the Gulf Stream
- 4–7 mi Out to the Gulf Stream
- Typical depth fished
- 600 ft Typical depth fished
- Target species
- 10+ Target species
- Captain Scott on this water
- 35 yrs Captain Scott on this water
From your door to the dock
You are closer than you think
2880 NE 19th St, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
- From Las Olas / downtown
- 20 min From Las Olas / downtown
- From Fort Lauderdale Beach
- 25 min From Fort Lauderdale Beach
- From FLL airport
- 30 min From FLL airport
- Typical morning meeting time
- 6:30a Typical morning meeting time
Free parking at the marina
Head north on Federal Highway, then east toward the water — you will see the Hillsboro Inlet lighthouse before you see us. Full turn-by-turn directions, the exact slip number and a list of what to bring are sent with your booking confirmation.
Questions before you drive up? Get in touch or call (954) 648-7042.
What is biting, and when
Fort Lauderdale by season
Peak Good
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailfish | Jan: Peak | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Good | May: Out of season | Jun: Out of season | Jul: Out of season | Aug: Out of season | Sep: Good | Oct: Good | Nov: Peak | Dec: Peak |
| Mahi Mahi | Jan: Out of season | Feb: Out of season | Mar: Good | Apr: Peak | May: Peak | Jun: Peak | Jul: Good | Aug: Good | Sep: Out of season | Oct: Out of season | Nov: Out of season | Dec: Out of season |
| Wahoo | Jan: Good | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Good | May: Out of season | Jun: Out of season | Jul: Out of season | Aug: Out of season | Sep: Good | Oct: Good | Nov: Peak | Dec: Good |
| Blackfin Tuna | Jan: Good | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Peak | May: Good | Jun: Good | Jul: Out of season | Aug: Out of season | Sep: Out of season | Oct: Good | Nov: Good | Dec: Good |
| Kingfish | Jan: Peak | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Good | May: Good | Jun: Out of season | Jul: Out of season | Aug: Out of season | Sep: Out of season | Oct: Good | Nov: Peak | Dec: Peak |
| Swordfish | Jan: Good | Feb: Good | Mar: Good | Apr: Good | May: Good | Jun: Good | Jul: Good | Aug: Good | Sep: Good | Oct: Good | Nov: Good | Dec: Good |
Seasons shift year to year with water temperature and bait movement. Call (954) 648-7042 and Captain Scott will tell you honestly what is running the week you want to fish.
Trips & rates
Book a Fort Lauderdale charter
Included in every charter
- Fishing license for every angler
- All bait, tackle and rods
- Ice and a cooler
- USCG-licensed captain and mate
- Fish cleaning and bagging
- Up to 6 passengers
Common questions
Fort Lauderdale fishing charter FAQ
Where do Fort Lauderdale fishing charters with The Bite depart from?
We depart from our dock at 2880 NE 19th St, Pompano Beach, FL 33062 — a short drive north of Fort Lauderdale. Most guests staying downtown or on the beach reach us in well under half an hour, and there is parking at the marina.
How far offshore do you run from Fort Lauderdale?
Four to seven miles, depending on the time of year — the Gulf Stream moves in and out with the season. That is a short run, so we are fishing deep blue water within minutes of clearing the inlet rather than after an hour offshore.
What fish can I catch off Fort Lauderdale?
Sailfish, mahi mahi, wahoo, blackfin and yellowfin tuna, kingfish, cobia, grouper, white marlin and swordfish, depending on the season. Winter is strongest for sailfish and wahoo; spring and early summer are best for mahi.
What does a Fort Lauderdale deep sea fishing charter cost?
A half day trip is $700 and a 3/4 day trip is $850, for up to 6 passengers. Fishing licenses, bait, ice, tackle and a cooler are all included — there is nothing extra to buy before you board.
Do I need a fishing license?
No. Your fishing license is covered under the vessel's license for the duration of the charter, so there is nothing you need to arrange in advance.
How many people can come along?
Up to 6 passengers. The Bite is a 34-foot Contender ST powered by twin 300 HP Yamaha outboards, USCG licensed and fully insured.
More answers on our general FAQ page.
Blue water is twenty minutes away
Half day and 3/4 day charters out of Pompano Beach for anglers staying anywhere in Fort Lauderdale. Six passengers, one boat, no shared trips.