Florida is known for many things, including its abundant sunshine, sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, juicy oranges and, last but not least, numerous opportunities for sport fishing. South Florida especially is renowned for its sports fishing. As evidenced by the multitude of deep sea fishing charters located in south Florida, sport fishing is big business and appeals to both the novice and the seasoned angler. With its portion of Intracoastal Waterway and warm ocean waters, Fort Lauderdale is one of the best sport fishing locations in south Florida. Sport fishing in Fort Lauderdale includes both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Within a few feet of the shore, the water off of Fort Lauderdale reaches depths of 200 feet to 300 feet. It does not take long, approximately 5 miles, until the water reaches depths of over 700 feet. In general, deeper waters signify larger fish. The variety, size and species of fish may vary based on season, but in general one could expect to catch fish such as: sailfish, dolphin, barracuda, mahi mahi, grouper, snapper, wahoo, tuna, and shark. King mackerel and swordfish are popular sport fish in Fort Lauderdale. King Mackerel are migratory and usually spend the winter months in Florida. Swordfish are generally found in the waters off of Fort Lauderdale, but since they are nocturnal feeders they are best caught in the hours between dusk and dawn.
Sport fishing in Fort Lauderdale offers several methods of fishing for bringing in the big catch. These methods include the following:
Wreck Fishing
A popular fishing excursion with both private and chartered boats is wreck fishing. Wreck fishing involves sunken ships or artificial reef programs, which create habitats for fish. There are approximately 25 wrecks in the Fort Lauderdale waters from which to choose. Some of these wrecks are located in deep waters, while others are in shallow waters. When trying to determine whether to fish a deep or shallow wreck, consideration should be given as to the type of fish targeted. Barracuda and snapper can usually be caught around the shallow wrecks, and amberjack and shark may sometimes be caught around the deep wrecks. At times, sailfish and mahi mahi can be found feeding on the top of shallow wrecks.
Kite Fishing
Kite fishing can be a year round activity in Fort Lauderdale due to the winds that blow almost constantly in the area. Preferably, winds should be somewhere between 5 and 30 miles per hour for successful kite fishing. The type of kite used is based on the wind speed, which can change daily or even hourly. Generally, kite fishing is set up in 100 to 150 feet of water. The type of fish generally caught using this method is marlin, tuna, mackerel, sailfish and mahi mahi.
These are just a few of the many opportunities for sport fishing in Fort Lauderdale. Numerous charter boats are available for any type of fishing experience that one could desire including private or guided fishing.
